Bolko Island in Opole

As late as the 1930s, Bolko Island could only be reached by boat. Today bridges lead onto it, and the island, surrounded by the Oder and the Flood Relief Canal, is Opole's green lung: a town park with ponds, old oaks and a zoo. Locals come here to walk, run, cycle and skate – and visitors can combine a forest in the middle of the city with a trip to the zoo in a single afternoon.

History: from river islet to park

The island appears in records as early as 1213 as "Kampe", meaning a river islet. From the 14th century it was called Bolko, after a Piast duke, with the consent of the church authorities. In German it was the Bolko-Insel, and in 1811 the name "Friars' Forest" was also recorded. After 1945 the official name was Bolkowa Kępa, but Wyspa Bolko stuck in everyday use – and it was made official after a city vote in 2004. The island has been part of Opole since 1954.

Until the early 20th century it was covered by dense forest and fields. On 27 October 1910 the councillors decided to create a town park here: most of the forest was cleared, leaving the finest oaks, beeches and hornbeams, new trees and shrubs were planted, and avenues and viewing terraces laid out. In the 1930s the zoo and a bridge to Pasieka Island were built; before the war there were inns and beer gardens, concerts and dances.

What to see

• The Piast Oak – the island's most famous tree, with a girth of about 410 cm and an estimated age of 400 years; one of the oaks spared when the park was laid out.
• Ponds and canals with footpaths, including Bolko Pond.
• "The Glade" (Polana) – a large meadow, a favourite meeting place for Opole's young people.
• The Zoo – a separate, paid attraction at ul. Spacerowa 10.

Tripto tip

The park is open and free. From the city centre, the easiest way is from Pasieka Island over the pedestrian and cycle bridge across the Oder; you can also reach Bolko by the bridge over the Flood Relief Canal from Wójtowa Wieś or along ul. Parkowa by the embankment. The wide paths are good for pushchairs, bikes and skates. Allow 1–2 hours for a walk, half a day with the zoo.

The zoo is open daily 9:00–16:00; a standard ticket costs PLN 46, reduced PLN 35, and children under 3 go free (as of October 2026). After heavy rain the paths can be muddy, and when the Oder is high it is worth checking city announcements.

Nearby

Pasieka Island with the Piast Tower and the Millennium Amphitheatre, the green Penny Bridge over the Młynówka, Opole Venice and the Market Square with the town hall – all within walking distance.