Bartek Oak

Bartek Oak, growing in the Bartków forestry in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, is one of the oldest oak trees in Poland, protected as a natural monument since 1954. Its age was historically estimated at 1,200 years, but contemporary research indicates it is around 654 years old (as of 2024). The tree stands 28.5 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of 9.85 meters at a height of 1.30 meters and 13.4 meters at ground level. In the past, the oak had numerous branches, with fourteen main boughs counted in 1829. Over the years, the oak has undergone many changes and suffered damage, including destruction from a fire in 1906, and in 1920, its trunk was filled with cement. At the beginning of the 20th century, the oak gained prominence; in 1934, it was recognized as the most magnificent tree in Poland, and its status as a natural monument was confirmed in 1954. Unfortunately, natural processes such as decay, as well as damage caused by lightning and the weight of its branches, pose a real threat to the oak. In 2011, work began to save the tree by suspending it on an arch support structure. It is also worth mentioning the legends associated with Bartek, which claim that King John III Sobieski hid treasures within it. Bartek Oak is not only a natural curiosity but also an important tourist attraction, located near the green tourist trail from Bliżyn to Zagnańsk, which draws many visitors.