Nature’s huge concert

Żabie Doły, often also referred to as the Silesian Lake District, makes one of the greenest areas in the region. Reservoirs, land subsidence areas and wastelands, which came to being due to mining exploitation and metallurgical activities, were deemed to have natural value a long time ago. The area is under protection. Tourists, who still think of the place as an industrial area with mine shafts and chimneys on the horizon, come here and cannot believe their own eyes. Nature’s diversity and richness is impressive. This place is a paradise for numerous species of birds, amphibians and reptiles. It also makes an ideal retreat spot from the hustle and bustle of the city. Easy access makes Żabie Doły an interesting location for the inhabitants of Bytom, Piekary Śląskie, Chorzów seeking little vacation.

We decided to adapt Żabie Doły to tourist traffic more. At the same time, we did not want to interfere with the fauna and flora in any way. As a result, we created an educational path with boards which are integrated with an internet application providing users with information about the nature that surrounds them. The path is covered with a special mineral and resinous substance which does not disturb the ecosystem, as traditional paving stones would. We also had six so called lookout points and platforms constructed, which makes a nod to the ornithologists, photographers and other nature observers and lovers. They can observe the nature in silence and without distractions. There are also places designed especially for the natural needs of animals. There are ponds for amphibians to breed, nesting boxes for birds and also little floating islands for water and marsh birds. The changes also included existing trees. Sick trees, which posed a threat to visitors, were cut down and new ones were planted in their place.

To reconcile such massive works with the direct vicinity of the nature, including birds in their breeding season, was the biggest challenge of the project. Thanks to cooperation with natural scientists and ornithologists, we managed to respect protection zones of individual animal species within the area of Żabie Doły. As a result, we achieved our objective: we organized tourist traffic without interfering with the nature.

When talking about natural areas of Bytom, one definitively has to refer to the past. Already before the rapid industrial development of Silesia, especially of mines and steelworks, about two hundred years ago, the land was full of woods and exceptionally beautiful. There were plenty of parks and green spaces. However, the needs of the times led to trees being gradually cut down, and the green spaces developed into heavy industry areas. At that time, nobody cared about the consequences or thought about the future too much. Today, the landscape of Bytom is mainly associated with chimneys and mine shafts. Though, if you have a closer look, you will see that there are still green spaces. We have a beautiful, huge park in the city centre, forests in Miechowice and Szombierki. Bytom is still enclosed with greenery.

One of the most beautiful places, when it comes to nature, is Żabie Doły, which has for ages been a wild area, where nature rules. To the present day, there are many species of birds, reptiles and amphibians still preserved there. I have to admit that every time man tries to interfere with the nature in any way, we have concerns that this may lead to nothing good. This time, I am impressed. The changes, which were made here, will not only serve tourists and locals, but also the nature itself. Therefore, I encourage you to take advantage of the charms of the area, which is wealthy not only in nature, but also in history. It is worth coming here to relax, listen to the silence which can only be interrupted with the nature’s magnificent concert. Żabie Doły has everything you need to break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

I have not doubts that today, when trees around the world are being gradually cut down and green spaces are being used for the expansion of cities which never stop growing and for development areas, we have to take care of the places like Żabie Doły. Not only for our generation, but also for the future ones. It is a paradise for photographers, ornithologists, animals and nature lovers. But this is also a perfect place to educate the youngest. I mean, where will you find a better place to teach young people about the nature if not in the nature?