Roztocze National Park
Encyclopedia
Roztocze National Park is a National Park located in eastern Poland
, in Lublin Voivodeship
. It protects the most valuable natural areas of the middle part of the Roztocze
range. The Park was created in 1974 and initially covered area of 48.01 km². Its current size is 84.83 km² (32.8 sq mi), of which forests occupy 81.02 km², and strictly protected areas 8.06 km². The Park has its headquarters in Zwierzyniec
.
The beginnings of nature protection in the region date back to 1934, when the Bukowa Góra Preserve was created (now it is a strictly protected area). In 1938, for the first time in Poland
, a bill was issued which stated that prey birds on the area of the Zamoyski
family estate were protected. The Park itself was created from State Forests of Districts of Kosobudy
and Zwierzyniec
, which had belonged to the Zamoyski family estate. The Park is located in a picturesque Roztocze Środkowe Region, in the upper Wieprz river valley. These parts separate Lublin Upland
(Polish: Wyżyna Lubelska) from Sandomierz Dale
(Polish: Kotlina Sandomierska). Water of the main river running through the Park - the Wieprz - is of the second class of purity. There are also two streams which originate in here: the Szum (2.5 km) and the Świerszcz (7.5 km). It must be mentioned that Roztoczański National Park boasts unique tree formations. There are more than 400 so-called "nature monument" trees and the Park’s fir
s are among the largest in Poland (up to 50 meters in height).
Among mammals living in the Park are: red deer
, roe deer
, boar
, red fox
, grey wolf and eurasian badger
. In 1979 European beaver
was reintroduced and now colonies of the mammal thrive in the Wieprz valley. In 1982 Polish ponies
were brought here. Also, there have been registered around 190 species of birds, including eagle
s, storks and woodpeckers. Reptiles are represented by lizards, the common european adder and grass snakes as well as endangered European pond terrapin
. Also insect
fauna
is interesting, with more than 2000 species.
, and the Park’s management today is located in the restored house of the former Estate’s administrator. Tourists have a choice of five walking trails as well as a bicycle trail. The area of the Park and adjacent lands witnessed numerous battles during the Polish January Uprising and both World Wars. Tragic reminiscences of these times are numerous cemeteries in Zwierzyniec and other locations.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, in Lublin Voivodeship
Lublin Voivodeship
- Administrative division :Lublin Voivodeship is divided into 24 counties : 4 city counties and 20 land counties. These are further divided into 213 gminas....
. It protects the most valuable natural areas of the middle part of the Roztocze
Roztocze
Roztocze is a range of hills in east-central Poland and western Ukraine which rises from the Lublin Upland and extends southeastward through Solska Wilderness and across the border into Ukrainian Podolia. Low and rolling, the range is approximately 180 km long and 14 km wide...
range. The Park was created in 1974 and initially covered area of 48.01 km². Its current size is 84.83 km² (32.8 sq mi), of which forests occupy 81.02 km², and strictly protected areas 8.06 km². The Park has its headquarters in Zwierzyniec
Zwierzyniec
Zwierzyniec is a town on the Wieprz river in the Zamość County, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland. It has 3,324 inhabitants .Zwierzyniec is the northernmost town of the Roztocze National Park. The park comprises some of the last remaining sections of the primordial forest of Central Europe, especially...
.
The beginnings of nature protection in the region date back to 1934, when the Bukowa Góra Preserve was created (now it is a strictly protected area). In 1938, for the first time in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, a bill was issued which stated that prey birds on the area of the Zamoyski
Zamoyski
Zamojski, plural: Zamojscy is the surname of an important Polish nobility family of Jelita coat of arms. The name is sometimes spelled Zamoyski. It is the Polish for "de Zamość" - the name they originally wore as lords of the place...
family estate were protected. The Park itself was created from State Forests of Districts of Kosobudy
Kosobudy
Kosobudy may refer to the following places:*Kosobudy, Lublin Voivodeship *Kosobudy, Pomeranian Voivodeship *Kosobudy, Drawsko County in West Pomeranian Voivodeship...
and Zwierzyniec
Zwierzyniec
Zwierzyniec is a town on the Wieprz river in the Zamość County, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland. It has 3,324 inhabitants .Zwierzyniec is the northernmost town of the Roztocze National Park. The park comprises some of the last remaining sections of the primordial forest of Central Europe, especially...
, which had belonged to the Zamoyski family estate. The Park is located in a picturesque Roztocze Środkowe Region, in the upper Wieprz river valley. These parts separate Lublin Upland
Lublin Upland
Lublin Upland is a geographical region in eastern Poland, located between the rivers Vistula and Bug, in the vicinity of Lublin.Its area is about 7,200 km² and its highest elevation 314 m above sea level. It is located in Lublin Voivodeship. In its southern portion it becomes the Roztocze...
(Polish: Wyżyna Lubelska) from Sandomierz Dale
Sandomierz
Sandomierz is a city in south-eastern Poland with 25,714 inhabitants . Situated in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship , previously in Tarnobrzeg Voivodeship . It is the capital of Sandomierz County . Sandomierz is known for its Old Town, a major tourist attraction...
(Polish: Kotlina Sandomierska). Water of the main river running through the Park - the Wieprz - is of the second class of purity. There are also two streams which originate in here: the Szum (2.5 km) and the Świerszcz (7.5 km). It must be mentioned that Roztoczański National Park boasts unique tree formations. There are more than 400 so-called "nature monument" trees and the Park’s fir
Fir
Firs are a genus of 48–55 species of evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. They are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range...
s are among the largest in Poland (up to 50 meters in height).
Wildlife
Red Deer
The red deer is one of the largest deer species. Depending on taxonomy, the red deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Asia Minor, parts of western Asia, and central Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains region between Morocco and Tunisia in northwestern Africa, being...
, roe deer
Roe Deer
The European Roe Deer , also known as the Western Roe Deer, chevreuil or just Roe Deer, is a Eurasian species of deer. It is relatively small, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments. Roe Deer are widespread in Western Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, and from...
, boar
Boar
Wild boar, also wild pig, is a species of the pig genus Sus, part of the biological family Suidae. The species includes many subspecies. It is the wild ancestor of the domestic pig, an animal with which it freely hybridises...
, red fox
Red Fox
The red fox is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the steppes of Asia...
, grey wolf and eurasian badger
Eurasian Badger
The European Badger is a species of badger of the genus Meles, native to almost all of Europe. It is classed as Least Concern for extinction by the IUCN, due to its wide distribution and large population....
. In 1979 European beaver
European Beaver
The Eurasian beaver or European beaver is a species of beaver, which was once widespread in Eurasia, where it was hunted to near extinction both for fur and for castoreum, a secretion of its scent gland believed to have medicinal properties...
was reintroduced and now colonies of the mammal thrive in the Wieprz valley. In 1982 Polish ponies
Konik
The Konik or Polish primitive horse is a small horse, a kind of semi-feral horse, originating in Poland. The Polish word konik is the diminutive of koń, the Polish word for "horse" . However, the name "konik" or "Polish konik" is used to refer to certain specific breeds...
were brought here. Also, there have been registered around 190 species of birds, including eagle
Eagle
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in...
s, storks and woodpeckers. Reptiles are represented by lizards, the common european adder and grass snakes as well as endangered European pond terrapin
European pond terrapin
The European pond turtle , Emys orbicularis is a long-living freshwater species of turtle.-Geographic range:It is found in southern and central Europe, West Asia and North Africa...
. Also insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
fauna
Fauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
is interesting, with more than 2000 species.
Brief history
The history of this area is closely connected with the Zamoyski family estate, which was founded in 1589. The Estate’s headquarters were placed at ZwierzyniecZwierzyniec
Zwierzyniec is a town on the Wieprz river in the Zamość County, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland. It has 3,324 inhabitants .Zwierzyniec is the northernmost town of the Roztocze National Park. The park comprises some of the last remaining sections of the primordial forest of Central Europe, especially...
, and the Park’s management today is located in the restored house of the former Estate’s administrator. Tourists have a choice of five walking trails as well as a bicycle trail. The area of the Park and adjacent lands witnessed numerous battles during the Polish January Uprising and both World Wars. Tragic reminiscences of these times are numerous cemeteries in Zwierzyniec and other locations.