Goleszow commune area, , from naturalist's point of view deserves special attention. Mainly floral richness of this area makes it being a point of interest of researchers for 150 years already. Despite the comparatively big population abundance (about 180 people / km2) and a small forestation (17% commune – about 30% country) to the present time numerous positions of protect plants and animals were preserved. We know many causes of this kind of shaping of the vegetation of our surroundings. Geological structure of the whole Cieszyn Foothills with numerous Cieszyn limestone bedding and closeness of Moravian Gate and Silesia Beskid decides about its look. The last one is a source of origin of many mountain species, however the Moravian Gate since thousand years has a significant meaning for plants migration. Moreover, hot air masses get here, which in connection with big rainfalls creates a specific climate making appearance of many species of southern character possible.

We have one nature reserve named “Zadni Gaj” currently at the commune area, which aim is to protect national yew population. This species was protected by king Wladyslaw Jagiello's decrees. It was probably very numerous, which testifies one of the villages name – Cisownica. Few trees growing in commune declared as nature monuments and part of its area constitutes as wrapping for Silesia Beskid's Scenic Park.

First interesting place worth seeing is the old quarry pit ”At the moon” at Jasieniowa mountain, named after the small pond that came into being in there. It is possible to get to there by the red “Jasieniowy” track. Pond is filled with water mostly in the spring, which creates perfect conditions for amphibians' spread. Among others, we can come across all species of national newts, Yellow-Bellied Toad (Bombina variegata) and the European tree frog (Hyla arborea). Croaking frogs' choir is perfectly being heard in the evenings, which gives this place located away from houses and surrounded by forest, an incredible impression. The Moon lakelet surroundings is mainly dry thermophilic lawns, that occupy the lower pit parties and the thicket covering the falling off rock walls. It is lawns that are the place of many plant species, of which the Cieszyn Foothills and mainly Goleszow commune area are known. It is mainly orchids representatives of which two: the White Adder's Mouth (Malaxis monophyllos) and Dark Red Helleborine (Epipactis atrorubens) are having here their sole position at Cieszyn Foothills. Their relatives accompany them: the Sword-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia), Lesser Butterfly-orchid (Platanthera bifolia) or the Broad-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine). Apart from orchids we are finding blue blossoming gentians: gentiana cruciata, gentiana campestris and the rare fern only few meters high – the Botrychium lunaria. Known from meadows and pastures, perfectly noticeable mainly in the autumn, Stemless carline thistle (Carlina acaulis) is a peculiar plant that is not possible to be confused with any other. If we thought that several years ago people and their machines worked in this place, railway carried away the spoil, then comparing it with the present natural resources gives incredible impression. Many nature reserves don't have so much natural values as the Moon lakelet and its surroundings.

Machowa hill is located east from Jasieniowa. The track leads through its ridge, on which it is possible to get by walking on the road to Cisownica from the forester's lodge way and descending over the sawmill in this village. It is possible to see along the path the sections of a beech (Fagus) and betuli forests (Hornbeam, Tilia, Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), Field Maple). Many trees here reach impressive size and the most beautiful of them is a huge beech with characteristic crown being formed by several dozen boughs. The undergrowth represents most effectively at the turn of April and May when hundreds of the orchis pallens specimens blooming in yellow. For this orchid coming from southern Europe it is one of the most numerical positions in Poland. The Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula ) blooming purple is less numerous. Discussed species very rarely interbreed with each other giving Cieszyn orchid, first time described from Machowa. The pearl of our meadows and forests - Lilium martagon superbly presents itself in the early summer. Two identical specimens of this species cannot be found, because the dark spots on the pink flower leafs is a peculiar mark of each specimen. Descending from Machowa after exiting forest nearby young-growth spruce forest it is worth stopping at meadow just for a moment. Beautiful panorama of Cisownica with a dominant: highest Cieszyn Foothills mountaintop – Tul and massive (from that place) belonging to Silesia Beskid – Little Czantoria is visible from there.

Next place worth seeing is in Dziegielow. We are approaching it from “The Bordering” a blue walking track. Beside the castle in Dziegielow we turn to Leszna and round the bridge turn left again going up the Labanski stream. This area certainly differs from the presented so far, relatively dry places, because here it is possible to observe a wet valley of the stream. Forest is mostly formed by Sycamores, Fraxinus, alders and the Wych Elms (Ulmus glabra) characteristic for riparian forests forming in those kinds of places. Specific undergrowth is being formed by species requiring lot of light. They blossom early, before dominant trees over them will sprout their leafs and what comes with it, will shade that area. Hacquetia epipactis may be found here, which is a symbol of Cieszyn Land and its characteristic flowers hide its real origin – it is related to raw vegetables, parsley and carrot. Fields of Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) having ideal conditions are blooming white. Parasitic common toothwort (Lathraea squamaria) is a peculiarity, of which underground rhizome may weigh up to 20 kg. Blue kidneyworts (Anemone hepatica), Anemone nemorosa and its less known cousin the yellow anemone (Anemone ranunculoides) can be found here.

In the mid of may an intensive smell of garlic is noticeable from afar. Ramsons (Allium ursinum) covering whole surface of undergrowth generates the fume. Described places are only a part of what is being offered by nature world in Goleszow commune. Everyone who visits this area will surely find the nooks that will be for himself full of charm allowing to fully experience contact with the nature.

Tekst i zdjęcia: Tomasz Beczała