Błędów Desert

Błędów Desert is located between Błędów and the village of Klucze in Poland. With an area of 32 sq km, it is the largest accumulation of loose sand away from any sea in Central Europe. Yet, it is only one-fifth the size it was back in the 1950s. It was so large that visitors reported seeing mirages and sandstorms here. Until medieval times, the entire area was covered in forests, which grew over vast spaces of thick layers of sand, deposited by waters flowing out of melting glaciers. The situation changed in the 12th century, when residents cleared local forests to satisfy the needs of silver and lead foundries from nearby Olkusz. The massive deforestation exposed the sand, which now covers the region.