Jaskinia Łokietka

King Lokietek Cave - Jaskinia Królewska - Royal Cave


Useful Information

photography
Ladislas the Short at the Jaskinia Łokietka by Wojciech Gerson (1890). Public Domain.
Location: Near Ojcow. In the Ojcowski National Park. 20 km northwest of Cracow.
(50.201710, 19.817888)
Open: MAY-JUN daily 9-18.
AUG-SEP daily 9-19.
OCT-NOV daily 9-16.
Last entry 30 min before closing.
Tours every 30 minutes.
[2021]
Fee: Adults PLN 26, Children (3-16) PLN 13, Children (0-2) free, Students PLN 13, Seniors PLN 13, Disabled PLN 13.
Families: Adults PLN 13.
Groups: Adults PLN 48, Reduced PLN 30.
[2021]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave. Upper Jurassic Limestone.
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: L=320 m, A=453 m asl V=150.000/a.
Guided tours: L=150 m, D=30 min, Max=35.
Photography:  
Accessibility:  
Bibliography:  
Address: Jaskinia Łokietka, Ojcowski National Park, 32-047 Ojcow, Tel: +48-12-4239063.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1300 according to legend the Polish King hid from his rival's overwhelming forces in the cave.
17th century visited by the Polish King.
1691 first described in Świat podziemny blisky (The Close Undergound World).

Description

Jaskinia Łokietka is a very old show cave, as the first official cave tour was made during a visit of the Polish King in the 17th century. This is, why it is called Jaskinia Łokietka (King Lokietek Cave) or Królewską (Royal Cave). The cave has two big chambers, Knight's Chamber and Bedchamber, connected by narrow cross rifts. Small stalactites abound.

During the period 15-MAY to 20-JUN advanced booking is advised due to the large numbers of visitors, up to 3000 a day. Waiting time is about an hour, unless booked in advance. This cave is extremely popular as every child learns the legend about Ladislas the Short in school.

In 1300 the Polish Prince Ladislas the Short was attacked by King Wencelas of Bohemia. He invaded with his men and attacked the Prince in the Ojcow valley. But before the Prince lost his battle and was captured or killed, he found a secret passage into this cave. A huge spiders web concealed the door and so the enemy lost him. The prince regrouped his forces, returned and saved his kingdom.


Old legend.

This is one of the rare cases, were groups pay more than individual tourists. The reason is simple: there are special tours for groups which are longer and educative, they are intended primarily for school groups. Regular tours are rather compact 30 min cave visits. It is necessary to book such tours in advance, to make sure a guide is available.