Wiśnicko-Lipnicki Landscape Park

The Wiśnicko-Lipnicki Landscape Park, established in May 1997, is a unique natural area located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, within the Wiśnickie Foothills. It covers an area of 14,230.79 hectares and includes the municipalities of Nowy Wiśnicz and Lipnica Murowana. The park is characterized by its rich flora and fauna; it is home to 671 species of vascular plants and 122 species of bryophytes, including many protected species such as green hellebore and stemless carline thistle. Among the forest communities, Carpathian beech forest and mixed coniferous forests dominate, along with riverine riparian forests. The park's fauna includes 119 species of protected animals, including amphibians, reptiles, fish, mammals, and birds, making it an area of significant ecological importance. A valuable site within the park is the Kamień Grzyb Nature Reserve, located in Połomie Duże, which features a distinctive mushroom-shaped boulder. The park is also rich in history and culture, as evidenced by its preserved monuments. In Nowy Wiśnicz, medieval fortifications and the town hall stand out, as well as a 17th-century monastery, now used as a prison. Lipnica Murowana boasts a preserved medieval urban layout and the wooden Church of St. Leonard, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In Stary Wiśnicz, visitors can find the Gothic Church of St. Adalbert and the 14th-century Kmita Castle. The World War I cemeteries within the park are also of interest. The diverse terrain, with its numerous rock formations and river valleys, contributes to the park's unique landscape values. The environment remains largely unspoiled, fostering the naturalization of the landscape. Today, one can observe how formerly cultivated fields are gradually being reclaimed by forest. The park also offers hiking trails that allow visitors to explore its extraordinary charms, including a blue trail that passes through popular villages and mountain ridges. The Wiśnicko-Lipnicki Landscape Park offers not only a wealth of natural beauty but also valuable historical and cultural testimonies, making it a significant destination on the map of Lesser Poland.