Augustów

Augustów is a rural commune in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, within the Augustów County, with its seat located in the town of Augustów, which is not part of the commune. The commune covers an area of 266.52 km², of which 59% is agricultural land and 31% is forest, accounting for 16.07% of the county's total area. According to data from June 2008, the commune was inhabited by 6,576 people. It consists of numerous villages, such as Białobrzegi, Biernatki, Chomontowo, and Żarnowo, as well as smaller settlements like Czerkiesy or Twardy Róg. Part of the Augustów Canal, a designated historical monument, runs through the commune. Interesting structures related to the canal include locks and weirs, which played important roles in transportation. The Augustów commune boasts numerous heritage sites, including a molenna (prayer house) in Gabowe Grądy from 1948 and a roadside chapel in Żarnowo Drugie from 1859, both registered in the National Heritage Institute. The Archaeological Record of the Podlaskie Voivodeship lists 214 archaeological sites, including settlements from the Stone Age, highlighting the region's historical richness. Archaeological finds are clustered in various locations within the commune, with the most scientifically valuable being the settlement complexes in Białobrzegi and Netta. The Augustów commune is an area of great interest, rich in history, fascinating monuments, and unique architectural structures.