Jaskinia Krowia

Useful Information

Location:	Ojców 52, 32-047 Ojców. (50.197039, 19.828858)
Open:	no restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	free. [2023]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Jaskinia Krowia, Ojców 52, 32-047 Ojców.
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History

Description

Jaskinia Krowia (Cow Cave, Cow Shelter) is a small cave located at the foot of a cliff face. There is a huge entrance portal and a short passage behind. The cave was obviously used as a shelter by prehistoric man. Unfortunately it was used as an ice house and as a result the cave sediments were almost completely remove and destroyed. Archaeologists found animal bones, tools and other traces of prehistoric people in numerous similar caves in the park. During the 19th century, the cave was used as a shelter or stable for cows and sheep, which were grazing on the nearby pastures of the Prądnik Valley. That's the origin of the name Cow Cave.

The cave was used as a filming location for the 1999 Polish historical film Ogniem i mieczem (With Fire and Sword).

The cave is located in Ojcowski National Park at the road running through the Prądnik Valley. The entrance is right beneath the road, only 100 m from the Krakowska Gate, the most famous rock formation of the park. As a result it is visited by most visitors of the park. A gravel trail with railings leads to the cave portal, the ground inside is soil and level.