The Opole Voivodeship, when the nature values are concerned, is one of the most precious regions of Poland. For preservation of its landscapes as well as flora and fauna, 4 national parks, 34 preservation areas (mostly forests, but also kserothermic, water and geological), and 7 regions of preserved landscape were created. 400 trees were acknowledged as the nature monuments, approximately 30% of the voivodeship area is protected.

 

Perfect climatic and natural conditions of the region allow for the rapid development of tourism. For the variety of landscapes (Silesian Highland, Silesian Lowland and part of the Pogorze Sudeckie together with river Odra plains) one may rest here in summer and in winter.
A large part of the region is represented by forests, in the area of which 4 national parks and many preservation areas were created. Niemodlinskie, Stobrawskie, Lublinieckie and Raciborskie forests are the biggest local woodlands. The lovers of hike and bicycle trips will be interested in tourist routes near the St. Ann mountain and in the surroundings of the Opawskie Mountains, on the border with Czech Republic.

 

In the towns of Moszczanka, Pokrzywna, Jarnoltowek, many modern recreational centres with great physio-therapeutic base (swimming pools, classical and water massages) have recently cropped up. Another modern sanatorium, the first in Poland to apply the dr Kneipp's healing methods, is now being build in Kamien Slaski. Moreover, an airport (with hangars, maintenance service, hotel) destined for the small air traffic and for the pilot's training place is being currently prepared in the same town.

 

The reservoir in Turaw near Opole and situated at the feet of the Opawskie Mountains Nyskie and Otmuchowskie lakes, await for the lovers of bathing and watersports.

 

The Opolan Silesia is the region with many historic monuments from various epochs, from gothic defense castles, through baroque palaces to the XIXth century private courts. Architectural objects like castle in Moszna, XIXth century palace's ruins in Kopice, the Silesian Piasts' Castle or late-baroque palace in Kamien Slaski, has gained much interest among tourists from all over the world.

 

Being near Opole, one cannot omit Krasiejow, a town where recently one of the biggest paleontological site has been discovered. Fossils of Trias reptiles founded there, dating back to 225 years ago, are very well preserved. In the excavations' area a museum-tourist complex, which will be the one of the most interesting attractions of the region, will be created in the future.

 

Many historic edifices has preserved to the present times in the town, but the status of the most famous is unanimously ascribed to the cylindric Piasts' tower, from the XIIIth century, which the audience of the annual Opole Festival admire in the background of the amphitheatre.
In the suburbian Bierkowice, the Museum of Opolan Country gathers lots of interest. One may there not only see traditionally equipped country houses, court's and peasant's granaries, wooden church from the beginning of the XVIIth century and wayside chapels, but also taste some local delicacies in the old inn.

 

A castle in Brzeg, with its rich collection of gothic and renaissance art, is often called a 'Slaski Wawel' (the Wawel of Silesia) for its beauty. Nysa prouds itself on the monumental St. Jacob temple from the XVth century and The Renaissance Civic Scale, situated in the Market Square. Paczkow, with the ring of medieval walls and defense church with a well inside, has the nickname of 'Polish Carcasonne'.

 

Historic monuments concentrated in Opolan Silesian cities, are their great treasure. One of the most precious ones is the Museum in Silesian Piasts' Castle in Brzeg, scenically situated by the river Odra. The museum possesses rich collections of gothic and reneissance art and princes' sarcophagi, moved from the St. Jadwiga chapel. The castle, often called 'The Silesian Wawel', was build on the spot of the prince's castle from the XIIIth century. Today it is the place of many cultural events, taking place on the vast courtyard or in the chambers.

 

Among the cities, Kluczbork deserves a special attention on account of the museum of a priest and prominent beekeeper - Jan Dzierzon. Also Namyslow, Niemodlin, and Strzelce Opolskie proud themself on numerous historic monuments. Glogowek is a town-monument, inextricably linked with prominent painter - Jan Cybis. The city of Grodkow in turn, surrounded by defense walls, is the birthplace of Jozef Elsner, a great composer and teacher of Fryderyk Chopin, the museum of which exists in the city. Also Glubczyce and Prudnik possess many architectural monuments.

 

The city of Nysa attracts with the gothic temple of St. Jacob, from the beginnings of the XVth century, whose most precious monuments, including churches and The House of a Scale, were re-build after horrible war destruction. The museum in the old episcopal palace deserves much attention, as well as the artificial reservoir, surrounded by numerous, well managed recreational centres. Near the reservoir lie the towns of Otmuchów (recreational centres and palace) and Paczkow, known as the 'Polish Carcassone'. In this medieval town the whole ring of medieval walls together with gates - Wroclawska, Klodzka and Zakowicka - and the defense church with a well inside, have preserved to the present day. The well in the church is believed to have served the concealed town's dwellers, during the Tatars' invasion in 1241.

 

At the feet of the Opawskie Mountains, one of the East Sudety's ranges, lies the city of Glucholazy. It has many recreational and curative values. From the near resort towns of Pokrzywna and Jarnoltowek, many tourist routes lead to the Biskupia Kopa - the highest mountain in the region. For the natural values, the region of the Opawskie Mountains, was included into the borders of a national park.