Baltów

Bałtów is a picturesque village in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, in the Ostrowiec County, known for its rich history and tourist attractions such as the JuraPark. The village obtained town rights before 1751 but was demoted before 1790. Situated in the valley of the Kamienna River, framed by limestone rocks, Bałtów features the characteristic landscape of the Bałtów Foothills, and its surroundings are protected as part of the Kamienna River Valley Landscape Protection Area. The history of the settlement dates back to the 11th century, as confirmed by the records of Jan Długosz, while in the 18th century it flourished as a private noble village. In the hands of the Drucki-Lubecki family, who owned the estate until World War II, a palace was built, which since 2014 has been in the hands of heirs. The palace, classicist in style, devastated and surrounded by an 18th-century park, is an example of significant architecture in the region. Bałtów is also home to the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows from 1697, which underwent a thorough renovation at the beginning of the 20th century, and a ruined chapel from 1786. Dynamic tourism development followed the discovery of fossilized dinosaur tracks, which contributed to the creation of the JuraPark Bałtów dinosaur park in 2004. The tracks found in the area, including a trace of the predatory allosaurus, attract people from all over Poland, and the park offers dinosaur models, a museum, and attractions related to geological eras. For lovers of active recreation, Bałtów also offers rafting on the Kamienna River, horse studs, and various walking and cycling routes. There is also the Szwajcaria Bałtowska Ski Station in the area, making Bałtów an attractive destination both in summer and winter. The region is full of natural and cultural treasures, making it an interesting tourist destination.