Ajska Pond in Świętochłowice

In the northern part of Świętochłowice, where the districts of Lipiny and Chropaczów meet, lies a small valley that locals simply call Ajska. Its largest body of water is Ajska Pond, ringed by reeds and by rust-coloured spoil heaps left by a coal mine and a zinc smelter. This is a place where industrial Upper Silesia has given way to nature: more than 100 bird species have been recorded on a few dozen hectares.

The Lipinka valley and its spoil heaps

The pond lies in the valley of the Lipinka stream, also known locally as Rzeczka, Potok Graniczny or Guidotto. The Śląsk-Matylda coal mine and the Guidotto zinc smelter operated nearby, and their waste was piled into heaps that rise up to 40 metres above the valley floor. The largest of them, the Ajska heap, covers 32.8 ha according to the town hall and has never been reclaimed. Part of it is zinc-smelter waste, part is mining spoil; at one time it even had a motocross track.

The town has designated the area as the Dolina Lipinki nature and landscape complex, covering almost 41 ha. It includes about 1,250 m of the stream, the valley floor and its western slopes.

Nature among the heaps

The valley has several dozen ponds and pools, of which Ajska is the largest, as well as the biggest reed beds in Świętochłowice. Riparian woodland and alder swamp forest cover the valley floor. More than 100 bird species, almost 70 of them breeding, are the site's greatest asset. Common and green toads, fire-bellied toads, grass snakes and at least 11 dragonfly species also live here. Research has shown that the chain of ponds works as a natural treatment plant, breaking down organic pollution.

What to see

• Ajska Pond with its reed belt, a good spot for watching waterbirds.
• The spoil heaps of the Guidotto smelter and the Śląsk-Matylda mine, with views of Chropaczów and Lipiny from the top.
• A mosaic of habitats: pools, riparian woods, meadows and wasteland in a small area.

Tripto tip

There are no visitor facilities: no ticket desk, benches or paved paths, and the trails can be muddy and hard to follow. Bring sturdy shoes and binoculars, ideally in spring when birds are nesting. Allow 1–1.5 hours for a walk around the pond and a climb up the heap. The heaps have not been reclaimed, so watch out for steep, crumbling slopes. The area also has a military past: the pre-war Silesia Fortified Area, with its "Łagiewniki" and "Godula" strongpoints, ran along the border of Świętochłowice, Bytom-Łagiewniki and Chorzów.