You don't have to look far to see a fairy-tale land straight out of fantasy books. However, this is not fiction but one of the few such places in the world. Hundreds of twisted pines, planted by German foresters over 140 years ago, create a landscape on the dunes between Pogorzelica and Mrzeżyno that is hard to believe in its authenticity.
What Does the Forest Look Like and How Is It Known?
Until now, this forest has not been widely known because it is difficult to access for the average visitor. To see it, you must walk several kilometers. Compared to the Crooked Forest near Gryfino, it has more twisted trees. Some of them have extraordinary shapes, with some trees curving so much that they have looped 360 degrees and grown back upward. Such forms are quite unusual. No two trees in this area are identical, and they are artistically twisted in various ways. Unfortunately, there is no documentation or records on how such tree deformations were created. Only speculation remains as to why this pine forest, instead of growing straight, bends upward in arcs.
How Did the Magic Forest Come to Be? Many Hypotheses
One hypothesis about the formation of the twisted forest is that very strong winds hindered the proper growth of the pines. Other theories consider various possibilities, from genetic conditions to the influence of superhuman forces. However, the most plausible theory relates to the military history of the area. The forest is located on land that used to be military training grounds. There is a theory that the appearance of the trees was influenced by chemical agents used by the Germans to create artificial fog. These agents supposedly reacted with the living tissue of the trees, causing such deformities.
