Malinowska Cave

Malinowska Cave, located in the Silesian Beskids beneath the summit of Malinów, is a site with a rich history, known since the 15th century. Historical accounts mention it as a refuge for Hussites, Protestants, and bandits. Many legends suggest that the cave was once much larger, extending all the way to Żywiec, with one of its entrances supposedly located above the Malinka stream. The cave was first documented in literature in 1850 by Ludwik Zejszner, and subsequent researchers, such as Bogumił Hoff and Wilhelm Friedberg, contributed to detailed descriptions and drawings of it. In 1954, Kazimierz Kowalski provided a comprehensive inventory of the cave, which included 132 meters of passages, significantly enriching knowledge about it. Malinowska Cave is a landslide-type formation, composed of conglomerates and sandstones, with an entrance that is a large fissure about 10 meters deep. Today, it is accessible thanks to new metal ladders and handholds. Its interior consists of two passage systems, with the largest section being the Gallery. The cave is humid, especially after rainfall when underground rain occurs, and the temperature remains around +6°C. After 2019, the cave was opened to the general public for tours, which may significantly boost its popularity and future research. Access to the cave is possible via hiking trails from Salmopolska Pass and Szczyrk, making it an attractive destination for nature and history enthusiasts.