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Remains of a POW camp

Inconspicuous remains of a POW camp from the Second World War, where people were forced to build the Sudecka Cesta. Today, the site is overgrown with moss, symbolically showing how nature has covered up the traces of human suffering.

30 minutes

Next point in the direction Podgorzyna

15 minutes

Next point in the direction Špindlerův Mlýn

A forest camp that was not recreational

The name "Forest Camp" may sound idyllic at first glance, but the reality is different. During World War II, there was a camp for prisoners of war who were used for forced labor during the construction of the Sudecka Road to the Przełęcz Karkonoska.
If you cross the wooden bridge on the yellow marked hiking trail , after a few dozen meters you will arrive at the inconspicuous but very impressive remains of the camp.

Footprints left in the forest

After the war, the barracks were dismantled and burned. Only moss-covered stone slabs remained, silent reminders of the hard life of the prisoners. Those who died here were buried in mass unmarked graves in a nearby forest cemetery. Archival records indicate that around 70 bodies were transferred to Przesieka in 1945, but their further fates remain unknown.

This place provokes reflection – the contrast between the beauty of the surrounding nature and the dark chapters of history is evident at every step.

Nature that has reabsorbed pain

If you look around, you will see how nature has gradually erased the traces of human suffering. The forest has returned, and with it the mosses that have grown on the stone foundations.

Mosses are small but resilient plants that form dense growths resembling soft pillows. They are so-called pioneer organisms – they are the first to appear on burnt areas, rocks and in harsh mountain climates. They are able to retain large amounts of water, survive long periods of drought and restore vital functions even after drying out.
They are irreplaceable for mountain ecosystems - they regulate the water regime, provide shelter and food for many animals, and are a key link in the natural cycle of life.