Hercules' Club

Hercules' Club is a famous rock formation in Ojców National Park, built of hard limestone, reaching a height of about 25 meters. It was shaped by karst processes and various forms of weathering. The history of its ascent is rich and full of inconsistencies. It is claimed that the first climbers were Englishmen in the 19th century, but there is no evidence for this. In 1933, Leon Witek reached the summit using ladders and mounted a cross on it. Shortly afterward, in 1935, Krakow climbers known as the Penitents, Adam Górka and Kazimierz Paszucha, made the first traditional climbing ascent of the rock. However, the first confirmed ascent belongs to Ludwik Ziemblic from 1913. The Penitents, protesting against Witek's style, dismantled his cross. After the establishment of the national park, climbing Hercules' Club is prohibited. The name of the rock refers to its distinctive shape and associated folklore. The legend of Krak's Mace tells of a prince who defeated a dragon, and his mace became a warning to evildoers. Other legends describe neighboring rocks, such as Falcon Rock, associated with a peasant falsely accused, or Devil's Rock, where Twardowski made a pact with the devil. Hercules' Club is one of the most important landmarks of the Prądnik Valley and a popular tourist attraction that draws both nature lovers and history enthusiasts. Various hiking trails run through the area, including the yellow trail from Pieskowa Skała through the Sąspowska Valley to Ojców.