Orzeszkowo: Traces of the January Uprising

Orzeszkowo has a clear focus on regional history: the “Śladami Powstania Styczniowego” tourist trail runs through the village to the grave of insurgents executed in 1863. Other attractions include the Orthodox Church of the Assumption of the Lord and a cycling trail that also passes through Orzeszkowo. If you are planning a stay, these different highlights can help you choose between remembrance, sacred architecture and a cycling route.

Trail and memorial site

The 31 km blue “Śladami Powstania Styczniowego” trail begins in the Judzianka district of Hajnówka, on ul. Warszawska. It follows Droga Dubińska, crosses the Chwiszczej River and passes through Orzeszkowo, Olszynka and Łozice. In Orzeszkowo, the tourist trail leads to the insurgents’ grave, which lies on the edge of the village. This makes it possible to connect the memorial site with the trail’s other stops while keeping the individual places and sections in view.

It is important to distinguish between the trails when choosing a route. The blue “Śladami Powstania Styczniowego” trail is not suitable for cycling. The Hajnówka–Topiło–Hajnówka cycling trail is a separately named route: it also passes through Orzeszkowo and is marked blue along its entire length. Since both trails are marked in blue, their names help distinguish their route types. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Orzeszkowo is also home to the Orthodox Church of the Assumption of the Lord. It complements the historical significance of the grave with a religious dimension. The church and the memorial site thus represent different aspects of the village: religious architecture and remembrance of the insurgents executed in 1863.

In the wider Hajnowski destination

For a broader view of the landscape, the wider Hajnowski destination offers a distinct setting. The Białowieża Forest is the largest forest complex in Hajnowski County and is considered Europe’s best-preserved lowland forest in the deciduous and mixed-forest zone. The Białowieża National Park lies within this forest, in Hajnowski County. It covers 10.5 thousand hectares and was established in 1921. Thus, alongside local history, the wider destination also offers forest landscapes and the history of protected areas.

In Hajnówka, the “Kraina Puszczy i Żubra” Nordic Walking Park has seven marked routes equipped with maps, ranging from 3 to 21 km in length. The “Pętla Żubra” route is listed as 15 km long, with an estimated duration of around three hours. The routes start at the water park in Hajnówka or at the “Zwierzyniec” car park on provincial road 689 between Hajnówka and Białowieża. You can compare the tours by their different lengths; the stated duration for “Pętla Żubra” is an estimate, and route conditions and timings may vary seasonally. Check current route information and the accessibility of the starting points before setting out.

The Museum of Blacksmithing and Locksmithing in Hajnówka also offers a distinct perspective on regional cultural history. It originated as a family forge founded in 1927 and has 586 exhibits. During blacksmithing demonstrations, visitors can try striking red-hot iron with a hammer. Demonstrations take place by prior arrangement, so please contact the museum in advance to plan your visit.

Discover more destinations: Gruzka, Trześcianka, Lewkowo Stare, Nowoberezowo, Łuka, Kleszczele, Hajnówka, Bialowieza.

To the wider travel overview: Hajnowski.