Świętokrzyskie Mountains

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Świętokrzyskie Mountains chain

Mountain rock rubble (Gołoborze)

Świętokrzyskie Mountains (Holy Cross Mountains), (Polish, Góry Świętokrzyskie (help·info)) are a mountain range in central Poland, in the vicinity of the city of Kielce. In most part the chain consists of a number of separate ranges, the highest of which is Łysogóry (lit. bald mountains). The two highest peaks are Łysica at 612 meters (2008 ft) and Łysa Góra at 593 meters (1946 ft). Together with the Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska the mountains form a region called the Lesser Poland Upland (Wyżyna Małopolska). Their area is 1684 km² (650 mi²). Approximate location is 50°53′N, 20°55′E.

The Świętokrzyskie Mountains are one of the oldest mountain ranges in Europe. They were formed during the Caledonian orogeny of the Silurian period and then rejuvenated in the Hercynian orogeny of the Upper Carboniferous period.

From the early Middle Ages the mountains were a place of extensive copper and iron mining. Later they were also a significant site of limestone and red sandstone extraction. At present, the center part of the mountains contains the Świętokrzyski National Park.

The name, Holy Cross Mountains, refers to a Christian relic from a nearby Benedictine monastery on Łysa Góra. It is a small piece of wood from the Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.