Białowieża Forest, Primeval forest at Poland-Belarus border
Białowieża is a vast woodland spanning the border between Poland and Belarus and part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. The terrain holds tall oaks, spruces, and lindens, crossed by streams and damp lowlands where mosses grow on fallen trunks.
Kings used this area from the 15th century as hunting grounds and issued protective regulations to preserve game. After World War I, the woodland was divided between two countries and gained international protection status in the following decades.
The name derives from the nearby village and recalls the time when these woods served as royal hunting grounds. Wooden buildings at the edge still display traditional regional construction, while trails pass through areas where foresters have worked for generations.
Marked paths lead through the Polish side, some requiring guide accompaniment in certain protected zones. Accommodation and information centers sit in the nearby village, which serves as a starting point for tours.
Bison roam freely through parts of the woodland after dying out here in the early 20th century and being reintroduced later. Visitors can sometimes observe these large animals from viewing points, especially in winter when foliage has fallen.
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