Strictly protected area of the Białowieża Forest

The strictly protected area of the Białowieża Forest is the last remnant of old-growth forests in Europe. As its name suggests, no one can in any way interfere with its nature. It is located in the central part of the Białowieża Forest.

Trees within this area were never cut or planted. The vegetation is left as it is, no one removes broken boughs or picks up fallen branches. Because deforestations are not carried out here, the age range of trees is different. The oldest and most impressive tree is Bartny Oak which is 300-400 years old. Decaying dead trunks fertilize soil which allows prosperity of various and often rare plant species.

It is also a habitat of many animals. Old and rotten pieces of wood are a perfect place for a number of organisms such as mushrooms, invertebrates, rodents, and birds. An undisputed king of the forest is European bison. At the turn of the 18th century, this species almost become extinct. Thanks to few bison from zoological gardens it was possible to breed first specimens. At present, the forest is inhabited by about 950 European bison.

The reserve is accessed by "doors" - the old oak gate from 1930 which symbolizes a passage from the world of civilization to the world of nature. In the beginning, it aroused many controversies, but in the end, it blended with the reserve's landscape.