Bialowieza Forest: Poland’s greenest treasure

Puszcza Białowieska is a pristine natural area, untouched by human hands. It is the last primeval forested area on European territory, untouched by civilisation. The real treasures of the area are the ancient trees, the huge variety of flora and fauna. The area is also home to European bison, for which a special nature reserve has been created.

Peculiarities of Belovezhskaya Pushcha

The forest complex stretches over an area, part of which belongs to Poland (approx. 42%) and the other part to Belarus. Today it is the only site of this kind in the country inscribed on the UNESCO list. Protection of the area is necessary in order to preserve the last large fragment of an original forest landscape in Europe.

Today it is referred to as the ‘pearl’ of European forests. It attracts many people who like to escape the busy and polluted cities to enjoy the solitude, fresh air and unbelievable beauty. In 1932 the Bialowieza National Park, one of the first of its kind in the world, was created. Originally called Białowieski Park Narodowy. Since 1947 it has been called Park Narodowy Białowieża.

The core of the forest on Polish territory is Rezerwat Ścisły. This part is famous for the preservation of the primeval forest. It is exactly how it used to look in the European lowlands before the human factor took over. One may only take a walk in this part of the forest for the purpose of protection, as it is not accessible without the knowledge of local experts.

Bison reserve

Another distinguishing feature of Białowieża Forest is the Rezerwat Pokazowy Żubrów, also known as the Bison reserve. Their population in the area is estimated at about 700 animals. The relevance of the area to these animals is due to the appropriate conditions for their habitat. There is, however, yet another reason.

Not so long ago, the area was ruled by the Polish kings and Russian tsars. It was considered their private hunting grounds, and has been for several centuries. Without the permission of the ruling monarchs, no animals could be hunted here. Moreover, their reign provided protection for the forest itself.

This approach allowed the animals to live in comfort and at the start of the 20th century the reserve became the only place on the European continent where the European bison were born in the wild. The route to the habitat of these beautiful and big animals takes about 4 km.

Open-air museum

Belovezhskaya Pushcha is famous not only for its natural part. There is a private museum of wooden architecture in the open air. It is a building complex made of wood, once used by the Podlaskie Voivodeship. It was built in Bialowieza, which used to be a village called Kropiwnik. The latter was destroyed during World War II.

In 1978, the Kozlak mill was brought to the area. Gradually the area was filled with other equipment and objects made of wood. Mostly they were brought by students from Białystok. Gradually, a full-fledged open-air museum was formed here, which began operating in 2004.