Trześcianka

Trześcianka is a village located in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, within the Narew commune, known for its unique wooden architecture and rich history. The original name of the village, Trościanica, was used until 1967, when it was changed to Trześcianka. The village is the seat of the Orthodox parish of St. Michael the Archangel, as well as the Roman Catholic parish in Narew. Trześcianka has preserved traditional buildings from the 16th to the 19th centuries, including a wooden Orthodox church built between 1864 and 1867 and a cemetery church relocated from Białowieża. In the 19th century, the village was a center of Orthodox education, home to the Saints Cyril and Methodius Seminary in the nearby forest area of Stawok. Trześcianka also has a rich demographic history; in 1921, 98% of its inhabitants declared Orthodox faith and Belarusian national identity. The history of the village is marked by events such as the mass evacuation of residents in 1915 and subsequent migrations to the Soviet Union. In 2011, the village had 265 inhabitants, and among the older residents, the local West Polesian dialect is still spoken. In 2001, an Orthodox Care Home was established, and the village is traversed by several tourist routes, including the Land of Open Shutters. A notable feature is the monument commemorating the evacuation of residents, as well as connections to figures such as theater director Piotr Tomaszuk and painter and poet Wiktor Stachwiuk, who have roots in Trześcianka.