Kopce Nature Reserve

The Kopce nature reserve protects a fragment of deciduous foothill forests on the steep slope of the right bank of the Olza river, in the Marklowice district of Cieszyn. It was established in December 1953 and covers 14.77 hectares.

What forests grow in the reserve

Three types of forest occur in the reserve: oak-hornbeam forest with hornbeam, pedunculate oak and lime; fertile Carpathian beech wood with beech, sycamore and ash; and ash-elm riparian forest. The object of protection is a natural fragment of deciduous forests of the foothill zone.

About 150 species of vascular plants have been counted in the undergrowth, among them the Cieszyn spring plant (cieszynianka wiosenna) and the Italian lords-and-ladies (obrazki alpejskie), plants typical of fertile forests.

Animals

Among birds, the great spotted woodpecker, blackbird, blue tit and great tit are mentioned, among others. Amphibians living here include the common frog, common toad, smooth newt and fire salamander, and there are also many insects, spiders and snails.

Practical information

• Location: Marklowice, Cieszyn, the slope above the right bank of the Olza.
• An educational trail has been marked out in the reserve. Reserve protection rules apply, so you have to keep to the path.
• There is a second forest reserve in Cieszyn: Lasek Miejski nad Olzą.