Enhancement of cultural landscape by geomorphology. A study of granite parklands in the West Sudetes, SW Poland

Abstract

The intermontane basin of Jelenia Góra in the West Sudetes is renowned for its numerous noble residences and landscape parks, established in the 19^th century. Collectively, the parks form a unique cultural heritage, which is now being promoted as one of the most valuable assets of the region and a target for tourists. One of the reasons why parklands may have been set up with such a success is local geomorphology. Deep selective weathering of granite followed by stripping of the regolith has revealed a multi-concave (multi-basin) granite topography, with isolated conical and domed hills, enclosed elementary basins, tors, clefts, scattered boulders, overhangs and caves, and minor surface features such as weathering pits and flutes. They have been skillfully incorporated into the planned landscapes around the residences, adding to their scenic appeal. In the past few decades the granite parklands of the Jelenia Góra Basin were largely neglected and suffered deterioration, but since the early 1990s projects to restore the parklands to their original glory are under way. This provides an excellent opportunity to promote geomorphology alongside the more recognized cultural heritage.