Polski
Although the Świętokrzyskie region abounds in geological wonders, it is safe to say that no other stone is as strongly associated with the region as striped flint.
Striped flint gained exceptional prominence in 2019, when the Krzemionki Prehistoric Striped Flint Mining Region became the first site in the voivodeship to be inscribed on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. Thanks to archaeological research conducted here, we know that this stone was highly valued as far back as the Neolithic period—even 5,000 years ago.
Perhaps it was the mystical properties of flint that already drove early humans to endure immense hardships to reach this treasure hidden deep beneath the earth. The Museum's premier attraction is a tourist route stretching approximately 1.5 kilometers. Walking along it, you will see places that have remained untouched since the days "when the last Neolithic miner withdrew from here several thousand years ago." A visit to this site is like a journey back in time, offering a view of original mine workings, waste heaps, and shaft hollows. A significant part of the route—spanning as much as 500 meters—takes you underground. As you navigate tunnels descending up to 11 meters below the surface, you will experience the miners' working conditions firsthand. It is also a valuable geology lesson, introducing the theories behind the formation of such an extraordinary stone as flint. However, Krzemionki offers more than just the tourist route.
It also features a prehistoric settlement reconstructed based on archaeological findings, which comes to life during events organized here throughout the tourist season. Today, striped flint is highly sought after by jewelers and is often referred to as the "Świętokrzyskie diamond." Many people also highlight its mystical properties, believing it to be a stone with the power to restore optimism.
