Białowieża Open-Air Museum

The Białowieża Open-Air Museum, located on the site of the former village of Kropiwnik, is a private institution showcasing the wooden architecture of the Ruthenian population of Podlasie. It was established around a post windmill (known as a *koźlak*), brought in 1978 from the village of Kotły, and has been systematically developed thanks to the efforts of Białystok students who purchased the land for the museum in 1983. The open-air museum has become a place where enthusiasts of culture and rural architecture can admire reconstructed structures, such as a cottage from the village of Biała dating back to 1897 or a windmill from the 1930s from Orla. These buildings are examples of traditional regional architecture, featuring characteristic elements like the clay stove in the cottage from Czyżyk or the original mechanisms of the windmill. Culturally, the museum reflects the rich history and traditions of the Ruthenian population of Podlasie, serving as a venue for events, including religious services in the newly built Orthodox chapel dedicated to St. Alexander Nevsky. An interesting fact is that the museum operates on a volunteer basis, allowing students to continue their involvement and care for the site. In 1992, the museum was entered into the register of historical monuments, highlighting its historical and architectural significance. Today, the site is open to tourists mainly during the summer season and on long weekends, attracting both local residents and visitors from all over Poland.