Użytkownik:ZOBrzozowica/Historical and natural trail Brzozowica

Historical and natural trail "Brzozowica" - a trail in the Brzozowica forest complex, created in 2008, the aim of which is to show the natural beauty of this place and historical events from the first half of the 20th century. The 1.5 kilometre route includes educational boards describing the elements of the forest ecosystem and two historical objects: the Marshal Józef Piłsudski Mound and a chapel commemorating the end of the fire that threatened the village of Brzozowica.¹

Objects on the route

• The Mound - it is a hill built by the inhabitants of the village of Brzozowica Duża in 1936, on the first anniversary of Józef Piłsudski’s death, on the route of the First Brigade of the Legions in 1915. A symbolic handful of soil from Piłsudski Mound was brought to the mound from Cracow.² The main initiator of the idea was the forester Edward Trzeciak, who during World War II cooperated with the Home Army, engaging in partisan activities. He and his wife also went down in history as someone “who showed the highest courage in difficult times of war, saving human lives” – for which he was posthumously awarded the Righteous Among the Nations Meda.³ In 1939, a monument to Józef Piłsudski was erected at the mound. Fearing destruction, the bas-relief with the Marshal's head was removed from the monument and hidden at the beginning of World War II, where it survived for over thirty years in the old Trzeciak forester's lodge. The later forester, Jan Stasiewicz, found it and gave it to the parish priest Edward Szarek. After the fall of communism, in May 1992, the bas-relief was returned to its place. This event was celebrated with a solemn mass, attended by the last living soldiers of the Marshal. The monument bears the Legions' eagle. Since 1998, Brzozowica has been on the route of the Józef Piłsudski Legions' Trail Marches in Podlasie, and the mound and monument are the venues for annual patriotic and religious ceremonies on 3rd May and 11th November.²
• The Grotto - it is a chapel that the residents of Brzozowica built as a symbol and thanksgiving to the Mother of God for stopping the fire that threatened the village of Brzozowica in 1939, caused by the German bombing of the railway line running near the forest. In the place where the wind changed direction and the residents were able to effectively extinguish it, a cross was erected in 1941. Two years later, forester Trzeciak, together with the help of the residents, built a chapel, today also known as the grotto. There are many small crosses near the grotto, commemorating the resting place of Poles who made the greatest sacrifice in defense of the country.³
• The Boulder - It is a fragment of rock with a plaque commemorating the figure of forester Edward Trzeciak, who was seriously injured while extinguishing a fire. It was placed near the grotto in 2008, when the “Brzozowica” trail was officially opened.³
• The educational boards - they are colourful educational boards describing the richness of the local fauna and flora, showing the natural values ​​of the area.¹ Since 2010, the trail has acquired a board commemorating the former forester – Edward Trzeciak.⁴