Wieliczki Commune

Wieliczki is a rural commune in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, with a population of 3,393, administratively composed of 21 village councils. The commune covers an area of 141 km², and its largest body of water is Lake Oleckie Małe. Among its architectural attractions, the well-preserved larchwood church from 1677 and water mills from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries stand out. The history of the commune dates back to prehistoric times, when these lands were inhabited by people and later by the Yotvingians. The earliest mentions of the locality date back to the 15th century, and significant development occurred in the 19th century thanks to the construction of the Olecko-Suwałki railway line. The commune avoided Germanization, and its inhabitants actively defended their Polish identity, which holds historical and cultural significance. The region is home to numerous World War I cemeteries, highlighting the tragic fate of the local population during military conflicts. An interesting fact is that Wieliczki likely derived its name from the family surname Wieliczek, and the region was the site of many battles during World War I and World War II. The commune cooperates with the Estonian commune of Mäetaguse, demonstrating its openness to contemporary international initiatives.