Prospects for the Protection of the Stone Heritage of the Małopolska Vistula River Gorge

Abstract The aim of this research is to present the abiotic geological environment, morphology and the need to protect geoenvironment and the possibilities of using the geoheritage of mining districts of the region located between Zawichost and Puławy city, within the Geopark. The Geopark is the best example of scientific and educational presentation of Mesozoic and Cenozoic outcrops along the Vistula gorge. The Cretaceous sediments (Middle Albian to Maastrichtian) are especially significant, they are unique on the European scale, showing a record of the evolution of the sea basin - from the Middle Cretaceous transgression and its disappearance at the end of the Cretaceous. The landscape and geomorphological values ​​constituting the heritage of the region are extremely important. An additional circumstance conducive to the creation of the Geopark is the fact that in the area covered by the project, areas of geological heritage protection have been operating for many years and tourist traditions date back to the 18th century.