Zlaté Jamy - A Relic of the Past and a Treasure of the Jizera Mountains
AttractionHidden in the heart of the Western Sudetes is a place with a fairytale name and rich history - Zlaté Jamy. This domed peak in the High Crest of the Jizerské Mountains not only captivates with its natural beauty, but also bears witness to the ancient search for the glitter of gold. Although today most hikers are attracted here by the scenery and natural curiosities, the mysterious heritage that Zlaté Jamy hides should not be forgotten.
Peak characteristics
Rising 1,088 metres above sea level, Zlaté Jamy is a peak which, although it cannot compete in height with the neighbouring Vysoká Kopa, the highest mountain of the Jizerské Mountains, nevertheless impresses with its gentle, domed form and sweeping slopes. It is overgrown by a young forest, which bears witness to the strength and perseverance of nature as it struggles to overcome the effects of ecological disasters.
Geology and Precious Treasures
Geologically, the Golden Pit is made up mainly of granites and granite-gneisses of the Izera metamorphic, which is characteristic of this part of the Sudetes. However, for our ancestors, it was not the structure of the rocks but the minerals they contained that were the greatest magnet. This is evidenced by the numerous pits - traces of a search for gold, which attracted medieval treasure hunters, mainly Walloons. Interestingly, there is a commemorative plaque at the foot which, like a page from history, reminds us of this search, being not only an educational element, but also a nostalgic reflection on the passing of time.
Nature and Forest Restoration
The Golden Den is covered by a young forest that is a testament to the ecological disaster of the 1980s caused by air pollution, when the spruce monoculture was completely decimated. Today, a new generation of trees emerging from between the dead stumps symbolises hope for a better tomorrow for this ecosystem.
Tourism and Cloudy Aura
The Golden Den is a place that sometimes makes the sky seem like it's at arm's length. Dense clouds and mists often shroud the summit, giving the landscape a mysterious, slightly mystical feel. There are also odorous traces of history that lead through Złote Jamy - along the Old Szklarska Road and the Końskiej Jamy Duct, once important transport routes in the region, today routes used by mountain hikers in love.
Unique Geological Phenomena
The surroundings of the Golden cavities also hide a geological curiosity rarely found in Europe - the largest vein of quartz with an impressive length of over 10 kilometres and a thickness of 60 metres. Extending from the vicinity of Kopaniec, this massive rock formation is like an archaeological breakthrough revealing the secrets of the Earth.
The surroundings of the Zlaté Hollows also hide a geological curiosity rarely found in Europe - the largest quartz vein with an impressive length of over 10 kilometres and a thickness of 60 metres. Extending from the vicinity of Kopaniec, this massive rock formation is like an archaeological breakthrough revealing the secrets of the Earth.