Goniądz

Some time ago we have visited together the Biebrza National Park. I will show you today its capital - Goniądz. The name "Goniądz" sounds almost like the Polish word "goniąc", meaning "chasing". The old stories tell that a king has spent a night there while chasing and hunting bears. This is why you will find a bear in the coat of arms of Goniądz.

 Goniądz is a town since 1547, when it received its city charter.

The first building in Goniądz was the church of Saint Agnes, originally founded in 1430. The one you can visit today was built in 1955, as its predecessor was destroyed during World War II.

I must admit these huge white towers without any ornaments are a bit unusual.

Inside, the church is also mainly white, with some delicate paintings in pale colours.

The Market Square in Goniądz resembles a bit the one in Krasnystaw. It is basically a small park.

In the middle you will find an obelisk commemorating the citizens perished in World War I.

The residential buildings around the market square are not really interesting to be honest.

Even the Town Hall looks like any other house. You must rememeber that Goniądz has only two thousand inhabitants, making it one of the smallest towns in Poland. I guess they do not keep the local government excessively busy.

The red structure on the Market Square is a water well. Old-fashioned but still operational.

Do not worry, you will not have to rely on it in case of fire. Goniądz has its own fire station.

In many small towns in Poland the fire station is also the center of cultural and social life. But Goniądz is lucky to have its own community center, a very modern one.

But on warmer days it is pretty empty. The inhabitants prefer to relax on the banks of Biebrza river.

If you look well, you will see a little sandy beach next to the nest of the storks.

In Poland the storks are believed to bring luck - and children! So take your chance or run away, whichever you prefer.

Wizna

As you all know, my family has long-lasting military traditions. Therefore I have a special interest in all landmarks of great military events. Today I will show you a Strękowa Góra, a little hill that at first sight does not seem interesting at all.

Don't be misled. This hill was the witness of one of the major battles of September 1939, known as the battle of Wizna or, more poetically, the Polish Thermopylae.

720 Polish soldiers commanded by captain Władyslaw Raginis have fought for 3 days against 42,200 German soldiers with 350 tanks, 457 mortars, cannon, grenade launchers and 600 Luftwaffe aircrafts. They finally surrender but only because they run out of munitions.

So let's go up the hill.

For all those who are surprised that the battle was held in this place I need to explain that before World War II this area was exactly at the border between Poland and the Reich. You may still see some old border marks.

And here comes the map.

http://historiapolski.eu/

Turning back, from the top of the hill you can admire the Narew river.

You will realise then why the Germans have chosen this place for their attack - the surrounding lands are covered by the Biebrza Marshes that I have shown you some time ago.

On the hill itself you can see the remainings of the old forts.

The place is pretty small. A few rocks on the left ...

... and a few rocks on the right.

In the middle of the old fort there is a commemorative monument. I was pleased to find there fresh flowers.

Let's spend a moment of silence thinking of those brave men defending their homeland.

Biebrza National Park (2)

Last autumn I have shown you Goniądz, the capital of the Biebrza National Park. Many of you were disappointed that I have not shown you the Park itself. Since we have really nice weather this July, I decided to go there again and show you more.

When you enter the Park you may be surprised to see a little bridge across a field of grass. I was surprised.

When I came closer, I realised why the bridge was needed. These are in fact peat meadows.

In some parts it looks as if there were little brooks running across the fields.

As I moved further, I saw something even more astonishing. A forest growing out of water!

I have never seen something like this.

In some places the water is actually green. It is covered with something called duckweed.

You could almost believe that it is grass. Until you notice that it moves.

Time to go now. But beware of wild animals running free. It is a National Park in the end.

Biebrza National Park (1)

Today I will show you the Biebrza National Park in the near from the town of Goniądz.

The park is the house of many species of birds, including ruffs that you will see in the emblem of the Park.

I stayed in a nice hotel.

Inside you could see that the forests here are full of animals

On the outside, you can admire the wonderful views of the Biebrza river marches.

So, enjoy the walk!