Białowieża Forest · Europe’s Last Old Forest

Białowieża is the last lowland forest in Europe close to its primeval state: oaks and limes fall and are left to rot where they lie, fungi, beetles and woodpeckers live on the dead wood, and the European bison was bred back here.

It was once a royal hunting ground, visited by tsars and kings; in the Second World War partisans hid in the woods. Deep inside there are reserves that may not be entered.

The foresters’ old rule is: once inside, do not leave the marked path. In an old forest the trees fall without a sound.

Natural Mysteries / Podlaskie · Poland / Time immemorial