15th
 anniversary
 of WNP

  

WIGRY NATIONAL PARK

  

 Introduction
 Goals and motives
 for protection
 Forests
 and their surroundings
 Waters
 Algae
 Vascular plants
 Fungi
 Invertebrates
 Vertebrates
 Research and monitoring
 Agriculture
 Protection of landscape
 Education
 Cultural heritage
 "Culture and Art"
 Tourism
 Talks in the WNP
 WNP homepage

  


Special issue

of "WIGRY"
quarterly
magazine



Webdesign: 
KAJA
 
2004

  

  

     

Maciej Ambrosiewicz

   

Cultural heritage

of the Wigry National Park

  

Archeological findings of iron Jatwings' weapons.

Regional Museum in Suwalki. Phot. E. Przytuła

 

Model of the lacustrine dwelling. Regional Museum in Suwalki.

Phot. M. Kamiński

  

  

  

  

The Wigry National Park was founded to protect high natural values as well as its landscape and cultural values. The oldest archaeological findings proving man habitation on Lake Wigry date back to the Late Paleolithic Age (the Old Stone Age), that is more than 12, 000 years ago. They are flint stone relicts that are the remnants of the cultures, which appeared on this terriotory migrating along with reindeer herds changing habitat due to climate changes of that time.

The significant turn of history of north-east Poland took place at the beginning of the Iron Age in the middle of 6th century B.C., when Balt tribes originating from the River Dnepr basin reached the region.

  

  

Post-Cameldolite monastery complex on Wigry penisula.

Phot. M. Kamiński

  

Porch of the house in Studziany Las. Phot. J. Borejszo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

As a result of the third partition of Poland the area neighbouring Lake Wigry was annexed by Prussia. Prussian authorities confiscated church properties. After 1815 this part of land was annexed by Russia and included into the Congress Kingdom of Poland. Gradual colonization started in government owned estates, and then peasants started to be charged with the rent, and land integration was initiated.

The colonization of the area surrounding Lake Wigry was completed in the middle of the 19th century, and the settlement network formed up to that time have survived up to present day with only slight changes. Contemporary settlement is only of rural character and is only marginally connected with forest economy.

  

  

Window with decorative label mould. Farmer's hous

in Leszczewek village, 1920s. Phot. J. Borejszo

  

  

  

  

In the Middle Ages (7th–13th century) the discussed region was inhabited by the Jatvings – one of the Western Balt tribes. After the decline of the Jatvings the vicinity of Lake Wigry was uninhabited for almost two centuries. The exploitation of primeval forest resources started in the times of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania rule, that is in the 15th century.

The activity of the Cameldolites order was essential for the settlement in Lake Wigry surroundings. The order was granted with Wigry Peninsula in 1667 by decision of Jan Casimir the Second. At first, the Cameldolities tried to attract settlers to existing iron (so-called rudnia, from Polish ruda – ore), glass, charcoal, wood tar and turpentine.

     

Traditional folk architecture of the surroundings of Lake Wigry is typical of the entire Suwalki Region. It is characterised by an array of building layouts, serving diverse functions. Various materials are used and there is a wealth of ornamental detail. The influence of the rural architecture of the neighbouring Masuria and Lithuania is clearly visible.

Forest architecture forms another interesting group. A few buildings from the inter-war period have survived in the Wigry National Park.

Many traditional buildings require conservation. Their condition is often rather poor and there is the threat that they may vanish from rural landscapes of Lake Wigry.

     

       

       

 

  

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