History of Kuraszewo
The history of Kuraszewo - a village where time moves slower
Some places impress you at first sight. Others reveal their character only after a few days. Kuraszewo belongs to the second group.
Today, many guests visiting Dla Ciebie w Kuraszewie come here for quiet, peace and contact with nature. Yet the history of this small Podlasie village reaches much further back - all the way to the early Middle Ages.
The dry, settlement-friendly land beside the Łoknica river attracted people more than a thousand years ago. Partly preserved burial mounds from the 10th-12th centuries are evidence of their presence. The cremation graves discovered by archaeologists indicate that the people who lived here at the time were pagans.
Traces of earlier times
The following centuries were difficult for the area. Raids by the Yotvingians, Teutonic Knights and probably also the Tatars meant that very few traces of settlement from the 13th-15th centuries remain today.
A new chapter began in the 16th century under King Sigismund the Old and Queen Bona. The land survey of that period created roads and villages that still shape this part of Podlasie. The first surviving description of Kuraszewo dates from 1576.
Traces of those times can still be found in the village today. Most residents are Orthodox, and older generations still speak a distinctive local dialect influenced by Ukrainian.
The church and the memory of the place
One of the most valuable landmarks is the Orthodox Church of Saint Anthony of the Caves, built in 1868. According to local accounts, it was built in response to the tragic cholera epidemic of 1855. The church was expanded in 1942, giving it its present appearance. It can be visited after arranging it with the parish priest.
At the beginning of the 20th century Kuraszewo was one of the largest villages in the area. In 1913, as many as 977 people lived here. Later evacuations and waves of economic migration mean that the village now has around 200 residents.
Why stop in Kuraszewo?
History is only one of many reasons to visit this part of Podlasie. By staying at Dla Ciebie w Kuraszewie, you can discover the area with our original guide, featuring bicycle and car routes.
After a day of discoveries, relax in the Wellness Zone, enjoy regional dishes in the Guest Barn or sit with a coffee beside the vines and listen to the quiet that has always been one of Kuraszewo’s greatest treasures.
Some places are visited. Others stay with you for a long time. Kuraszewo belongs to the second kind.
