Szkwa: Kurpie Culture and River Route

Farmhouse No. 59 is a wooden building in the Kurpie folk style and is listed as a historic monument. Szkwa is also home to a First World War soldiers’ cemetery and a cross dating from the early 20th century. The cemetery was established in 1915 for German soldiers and measures 15 metres long by 12 metres wide. The “Ostrołęka – Szkwa – Dąbrówka – Lelis” route passes through the village; there is a shelter along the route for a short break.

Farmhouse No. 59 is a specific example of traditional Kurpie folk architecture in wood. This kind of architecture, including Kurpie farmhouses, has also been preserved in the northeastern part of the Lelis municipality. The building in Szkwa can therefore be seen in the context of a regional building tradition, without assuming that there are several such buildings in the village.

The village’s history goes back to its description as an agricultural settlement on the Szkwa in the 17th century. Another historical landmark is the soldiers’ cemetery established in 1915. Its dimensions—15 metres long and 12 metres wide—give a concrete sense of its size. There is also a cross in Szkwa dating from the early 20th century. Together, these sites offer different points of interest for travellers curious about the village’s history and cultural character.

A Marzanna custom was part of Szkwa’s traditions: people would decorate a straw effigy together, carry it in a colourful procession to a river, and then gather around a bonfire.

The Szkwa is one of five rivers in the Lelis municipality. It is also the only one of the last Kurpie rivers that has not yet been regulated. This is a notable feature of the river’s history in this part of the municipality. Guests at Przystań Zdrowia can go Nordic walking along the river; walking poles can be borrowed from the host. This offer is for guests of this accommodation.

The “Ostrołęka – Szkwa – Dąbrówka – Lelis” route passes through Szkwa. A shelter along the route provides a place for a short break. If you are considering including the route in your travel plans, you can use this rest stop as a point of reference. No route length or walking time is specified; neither can be inferred from the available route details.

The Lelis municipality identifies its extensive forests and the Narew, Szkwa and Rozoga rivers as suitable areas for fishing and mushroom picking. These opportunities apply to the municipality as a whole, not just to Szkwa. This distinction is important when choosing activities: Nordic walking along the Szkwa is described as an offer for guests of Przystań Zdrowia, while fishing and mushroom picking are presented as activities in the named areas of the municipality.

What is Farmhouse No. 59?

It is a wooden building in the Kurpie folk style and is listed as a historic monument.

What are the dimensions of the soldiers’ cemetery in Szkwa?

The cemetery, established in 1915 for German soldiers, is 15 metres long and 12 metres wide.

Where can you take a break along the route?

The “Ostrołęka – Szkwa – Dąbrówka – Lelis” route passes through Szkwa; there is a shelter along the route for a short break.

What activities are mentioned along the Szkwa?

Guests of Przystań Zdrowia can go Nordic walking along the river and borrow walking poles from the host.

For the broader travel overview: Lelis.