Johannisburger Heide
The Johannisburger Heide ( Puszcza Piska in Polish ) is an approximately 1005 km² forest area in Masuria . Until 1945 it was the largest forest in the German Reich ; today it is the largest forest area in Poland . The area was named after the city of Johannisburg , now Pisz .
The predominant coniferous forests are loosened up in many places by populations of deciduous trees. The tree population consists of 80 percent conifers, mainly pine and spruce , and 20 percent of deciduous trees ( oak , hornbeam , linden , birch , maple , red beech , black and gray alder ). The flora and fauna are characterized by their biodiversity. Due to the proximity to the Masurian lakes, especially the Lower Lake, the area is also popular with water sports enthusiasts.
Historical
During the time of the Teutonic Order , the forest was not cleared and thus formed a natural barrier against Poland and Lithuania in line with the Masurian Lakes and the Rominter Heath (see also the Teutonic Order's Lithuanian Wars ).
The text of the Ostpreußenlied ( Land of Dark Forests ) goes back to this landscape.
literature
- Andreas Kossert : Masuria. East Prussia's forgotten south. 2006, ISBN 3570550060 .
Web links
Coordinates: 53 ° 36 '43.4 " N , 21 ° 30' 58.7" E