Segiet Nature Reserve

On the border of Bytom and Tarnowskie Góry, at the top of Srebrna Góra (347 m above sea level), grows a forest that owes its existence to mining. The „Segiet” reserve was designated on 27 April 1953 to protect beech woods that had regrown on the site of former silver, lead and zinc workings. After the enlargement of 2023 it covers 92.29 ha, surrounded by a buffer zone of 142.14 ha.

Beech forest on old mining ground

Traces of the miners' work are still visible today: depressions left after shafts and heaps of rock rubble are overgrown with beeches reaching 35–40 m in height and about 150 years of age. In the warm-loving orchid beech forest grows the lady's-slipper orchid — the most impressive of Polish orchids — along with daphne and the martagon lily. In total over 100 species of herbaceous plants have been recorded here.

The kingdom of bats

Beneath the reserve run the Tarnowskie Góry–Bytom Underground — more than 300 km of adits and shafts carved from the 12th to the 20th century. This is the largest bat hibernation site in Upper Silesia and the largest European wintering colony of the brown long-eared bat, protected as a Natura 2000 area. The local silver mining was also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Practical information

The easiest access is via Żeromskiego or Blachówka street in Bytom, or from the Repty district of Tarnowskie Góry. The Las Segiecki educational trail serves the forest, and entry remains free all year round.