Szkwa: Kurpie Traditions and Traces of History

Szkwa offers several concrete starting points for planning a trip: a farmhouse in the Kurpie folk style, historical memorials and the Szkwa River. A route through the village and activities mentioned in the municipality of Lelis are also among the possible topics. This can help you decide whether to focus your stay primarily on cultural history, activities by the river or nature-related interests.

Kurpie Farmhouse and Historical Memorials

Farmhouse No. 59 is built of wood, designed in the Kurpie folk style and listed as a historic monument. It showcases traditional wooden architecture in a specific building in Szkwa. Traditional wooden Kurpie folk architecture has also been preserved in the northeastern part of Lelis municipality, including Kurpie farmhouses. If you are interested in regional architecture, you can consider both an individual house in the village and the wider context within the municipality.

Szkwa is home to a First World War military cemetery established in 1915 for German soldiers. It measures 15 metres long and 12 metres wide. A cross dating from the early 20th century is also located in Szkwa. To learn about the village’s history, you can visit both a First World War memorial site and another historical landmark.

The Szkwa River and a Route Through the Village

The river also shapes the village’s history: in the 17th century, Szkwa was considered an agricultural village on the Szkwa River. Within Lelis municipality, the Szkwa is one of the municipality’s five rivers. It is also the only one of the last Kurpie rivers that has not yet been regulated. The river thus connects the village’s history with the landscape of the municipality.

The “Ostrołęka – Szkwa – Dąbrówka – Lelis” route passes through Szkwa. There is a shelter along the route in the village where you can take a short break. If you are considering this route, you can use the shelter as a reference point for a rest stop.

Nature Interests and Local Traditions

In Lelis municipality, extensive forests and the Narew, Szkwa and Rozoga rivers are considered suitable areas for fishing and mushroom picking. These nature and leisure opportunities relate to the municipality. So if you are planning such activities, consider Lelis municipality as a whole, not just the village of Szkwa.

A Marzanna tradition was observed in Szkwa: a group decorated a straw effigy together, then set off in colourful clothing for a river and gathered around a bonfire. The custom brings together a shared creative activity, a procession to the river and a gathering around the fire—a local tradition with a communal character.

Along the Szkwa River, guests of Przystań Zdrowia can go Nordic walking and borrow poles from their host. This option is available to guests staying at the establishment. For travellers interested in Nordic walking, this is a practical consideration when choosing where to stay in Szkwa.

For an overview of the wider area: Lelis.