Jodłowice Nature Reserve

Jodłowice Nature Reserve is a forest reserve in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, lying on the border of two municipalities: Oborniki Śląskie (Trzebnica County) and Brzeg Dolny (Wołów County), near the village of Jodłowice. It was established in 1958, and its area is 9.36 hectares (the founding act gave 9.66 ha).

The northernmost firs

The reserve protects the northernmost natural stand of the European silver fir in Poland. This is the main reason the area was placed under protection.

A boulder and a black stork's nest

The reserve contains an erratic boulder recognised as a natural monument, and a black stork's nest. The area is under active protection.

A mysterious stone cross

A stone cross, probably medieval, also stands in the reserve. It is sometimes called a penitential cross, though this term has no confirmation in any research or evidence - it rests only on the assumption that all old, monolithic stone crosses of unknown origin were penitential. Despite the lack of grounds, this hypothesis has become widespread in local publications and guides as if it were fact.

Practical information

• Location: Oborniki Śląskie and Brzeg Dolny municipalities, near the village of Jodłowice
• Getting there: a forest reserve with no designated tourist infrastructure - it's worth checking the exact approach route and access rules with the local forest district before visiting
• What to expect: a small, protected patch of forest with fir trees, an erratic boulder and a stone cross