History
The Będkowska Valley, located in the heart of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland (Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska), has a history that stretches back millions of years. Geologically, the valley is shaped by Jurassic limestone, formed around 150 million years ago when the area was covered by a warm, shallow sea. Over time, tectonic activity and erosion carved out the striking rock formations, caves, and cliffs that define the valley today.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the valley and surrounding uplands were inhabited as far back as the Palaeolithic period. Caves like Jaskinia Nietoperzowa (Bat Cave), one of the largest caves in the region and located within the valley, have yielded prehistoric tools, animal bones, and signs of early human activity. The cave has also served as a shelter and storage site across various historical periods, including during World War II.
During the Middle Ages, the valley was part of the borderland between various regional duchies. Its natural defensibility and proximity to trade routes made it an area of strategic interest. The nearby Ojców Castle, and others in the region such as Pieskowa Skała, formed part of the “Trail of the Eagles’ Nests” — a chain of medieval fortifications built by King Casimir III the Great in the 14th century to defend the Kingdom of Poland.
In the 19th century, following the Partitions of Poland, the valley became part of the Austrian Partition, but sat just beside the border with the Russian Partition. This frontier position gave Będkowska a quiet but notable role in the political geography of the time. Smugglers and messengers often used hidden paths in the valley to cross between territories, and it became a silent witness to the struggles for Polish independence.
In the 20th century, the valley gained increasing recognition for its natural beauty and recreational potential. As access to the Tatra Mountains was sometimes administratively complicated during the communist period, local crags became central to the development of rock climbing in Poland. The Sokola Skała, Dupna Skała, and Dupa Słonia (Elephant’s Bottom)—despite its humorous name—became legendary spots for generations of climbers. Polish alpinists trained on these limestone faces before tackling greater challenges in the Tatras and the Alps, and later even in the Himalayas.
Today, the Będkowska Valley is part of the Kraków Valleys Landscape Park, protected for its ecological and cultural value. It attracts hikers, climbers, speleologists, and history enthusiasts alike. Its legacy as a crossroads of natural history, borderland intrigue, and sporting tradition makes it one of the Jura region’s most fascinating landscapes.