Observation Tower over the Oder Meanders in Zabełków

In Zabełków, a village in the municipality of Krzyżanowice on the south-western edge of the Silesian Voivodeship, a 27-metre steel observation tower was erected in 2017. It rises above the protected area of the Border Meanders of the Oder, where the river, right by the Czech border, has retained its natural, winding course.

A narrow structure with terraces

The tower is narrow and the stairs fairly steep, so climbing requires some effort. At various heights, however, there are several viewing terraces, letting everyone choose a comfortable level. From the top you can see the winding ribbon of the Oder and the adjacent land on both sides of the border. Admission is free, and the tower is open from March to November.

The Silesianka Trail

The tower is part of the cross-border Silesianka Trail, which is ultimately to comprise 34 viewing points on the Polish and Czech sides of the Euroregion Silesia — among others the castle tower in Tworków and the viewing platform in the Racibórz arboretum. A cycling path runs along the Oder, linking Chałupki with Zabełków: from the car park in Zabełków it is about 700 metres to the tower, from the castle in Chałupki 3.5 kilometres. A few steps from the start of the path in Chałupki lies the border bridge to Bohumín in the Czech Republic.

A historic village on the Oder

The first mention of Zabełków dates from 1340 and refers to the Barutswerde castle. The village of about 750 residents lies near the mouth of the Olza river, where it joins the Oder, at the crossing of national roads DK45 and DK78.