UNESCO World Heitage Sites in Poland in nature

In 2021, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided to include a new UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in Poland during its 44th session in China. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has finally accepted another of the serial applications, entitled ‘Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe’, submitted in 2019 by 10 countries, including Poland. Along with Poland, five other European countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, France, North Macedonia and Switzerland) were added to the UNESCO List. As a result of this decision, 15 new protected areas were added to the list, including four sections of beech forest in the Bieszczady National Park. They are now in the same league of unique natural sites as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia or Yellowstone National Park in the USA. According to UNESCO, the ‘beech forest fragments in the Bieszczady National Park’ are strictly defined forest complexes and they are located on the slopes of Połonina Wetlińska and Smerek, in the Terebowiec valley, in the Górna Solinka valley and in the Wołosatki valley. The total area of the beech reserves in the Bieszczady National Park is almost 3,300 hectares and covers about 11 percent of the entire National Park. But why have the beech trees in the Bieszczady National Park been included on the UNESCO list? Nature experts consider the primeval beech forests, which can be found in the Bieszczady Mountains, to be one of the most intact forest complexes in the temperate zone. Next time, when you visit the Bieszczady National Park, make sure you take a look at the beautiful beech trees! We also encourage you to read this article about the most beautiful Polish National Parks.

Muskauer Park is located right in the centre of the German-Polish border, so the two countries are connected by a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Muskauer Park was founded in 1815 by Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau. In 1811, the young prince inherited a large fortune: the family estate of Muskau with its surrounding villages. Four years later, at the age of 30, he began designing and finally created the Muskauer Park, inspired by English gardens. At that time, there was no border between Poland and Germany because the Neisse (Nysa) river (which flows through the park) only became the official border after World War II. Today, there are two bridges crossing the Neisse River in the park, and on one of them, in 2004, the document confirming the Muskauer Park as a World Heritage Site was signed. It is one of the few UNESCO natural sites in the world that is located in two countries at the same time. The Muskauer Park is considered to br the largest English landscape park in Central Europe! Entry to the park is free on both the German and Polish sides. You can purchase a map of the Muskauer Park at the tourist information centre. The tourist centre of the park also offers regular guided tours. What's more, right next to the park there is another UNESCO world heritage site, the Geopark in Łęknica. This area is home to wonderful colourful lakes, which are definitely worth visiting during a trip to this part of Poland!

The Białowieża Forest is a huge forest complex located on the border between Poland and Belarus. Thanks to many centuries of protection, parts of the forest have survived in their original natural state to this day. The Białowieża National Park on the Polish side was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979 and extended to include the Białowieża Forest on the Belarusian side in 1992. A significant expansion of the area in 2014 has resulted in its current size of 141,885 hectares with a buffer zone of 166,708 hectares. The area includes a complex of lowland forests that are characteristic of the ecoregion of Central European mixed temperate forests. This region is of exceptional importance for nature conservation due to the large area of primary forests where natural processes take place. A natural consequence of this is the abundance of dead wood and, consequently, the high diversity of fungi and invertebrates. In the Białowieża Forest, you will find a very rich and diverse fauna and flora, including 59 species of mammals, over 250 species of birds, 13 species of amphibians, 7 species of reptiles and over 12,000 species of invertebrates. The symbol of this area is the bison, the largest land mammal in Poland. It is worth visiting the Białowieża Forest with a guide, who can take you to places where you will have a chance to see animals such as bison, wolves or deer in their natural habitat. It is worth spending at least a few days there, taking leisurely walks through the forest itself, but also visiting the surrounding Land of Open Shutters and admiring the magnificent wooden Orthodox churches!