Indeed, the tree is tremendous and unique. According the records it is about 700 years old and today it 30 metres high and has about 10 metres in its circumference. The legend says that Polish kings, e.g. Bolesław Krzywousty (Bolesław III the Wrymouth), Kazimierz Wielki (Casimir III the Great) or Jan III Sobieski, who were passing through the Świętokrzyskie Mountains, often stopped to rest under it. The last of them is even said to have hidden a royal treasure in the hollow of this huge tree. In its vicinity, you can see “Bartek’s son”, which has been planted during the 1000th anniversary of Poland’s existence. In 1829 the oak had 14 main and 16 side branches, but now it has only 8 main branches left. In 1906 the tree was damaged by a fire of the nearby buildings. In the 20s of the 20th C., the dead parts of the trunk were strengthened with concrete fillings. On the 3rd of June 1991 Bartek was hit by a thunderbolt, which destroyed one of the branches and caused an inflammation of the trunk’s part. Nowadays, its branches are by held by hydraulic reinforcements, unfortunately, they can still brake any moment. Certain actions are also undertaken to eliminate the pests, which feed on it. Neverthelss, in spite of many dramatic incidents, Bartek is still alive and became a habitat for numerous organisms. It is legally protected as a nature monument, and so is the nearby alley of  lime, maple and ash trees, as well as a 300 years old larch.


Today, its shade does not give so much relief, but it is still worth to see this tremendous nature monument in Świętokrzyskie.