Wigry National Park

Wigry National Park sits in the northeast of Poland and protects a landscape of interconnected lakes, forests and wetlands shaped by glacial action. The park surrounds Lake Wigry, the largest body of water in the area, and includes smaller lakes linked by streams and marshes.

The park was established in 1989 after conservationists in the 1920s highlighted the importance of preserving the lakes and forests. The creation followed decades of discussion about protecting this glacial landscape from development pressures.

The former monastery within the park boundaries now functions as an artist residency under the Ministry of Culture, fostering creative endeavors in natural settings.

A network of marked trails crosses the park and allows walks of different lengths through forest and along lakeshores. Boats can be launched on several of the larger lakes during summer, and some paths are cleared for cross-country skiing in winter.

A former monastery on the shore of Lake Wigry now houses artists who come for weeks or months to work in quiet surroundings. The building is open to visitors during the day and displays exhibitions by the creators working there.