The Nature and Forest Museum — the wildlife of the Białowieża Forest

The exhibition

The Nature and Forest Museum is the central educational facility of Białowieża National Park. The display presents the forest's ecosystems — from wet riparian woodland through clearings to bogs — with realistic dioramas, animal specimens and an emphasis on the European bison as the emblem of Białowieża.

It makes a good starting point for exploring the region: here you understand why the Białowieża Forest is considered one of the last near-natural lowland forests in Europe and why it is on the UNESCO list.

The viewing tower and the Palace Park

• The viewing tower by the museum — a view over the treetops and the Palace Park
• The Palace Park — a historic park layout on the site of the former tsarist residence
• The entrance gate and historic buildings in the park
• The park avenues — a pleasant walk before or after the museum

Visiting

The museum stands in the centre of Białowieża, in the Palace Park, and is open all year (admission is charged; the tower is a separate or combined ticket). It is a good choice in bad weather and the natural first stop before a trip into the strictly protected part of the forest, which can only be entered with a licensed guide.

How to get there and practical info

Location

The Palace Park, the centre of Białowieża

Admission

Ticketed; the tower separately or on a combined ticket

Season

Open all year

Time needed

1–2 hours (with the tower and the park)

Good for

Bad weather, and as an introduction to the forest

Tip

Visit before your trip into the protected part of the forest

When to go