The Białowieża Museum – Open-Air Museum of Wooden Architecture of the Ruthenian People of Podlasie – consists of nine well-preserved buildings, which can be divided into four groups. The first consists of two cottages standing near the gate. These have a slightly different character than the other buildings, as their attics have been converted into guest rooms. One of these buildings dates back to the village of Klejniki, dating from 1893, and was moved and reconstructed in 1988. The hall, room, and larder are open to the public. The collection of textiles and clay vessels typical of the region is worth seeing. The second building is the oldest cottage in the museum – dating from 1885 and moved from the village of Czyżyki. Inside, visitors can see, above all, a bread oven. The second group includes a charming wooden chapel (temple) dedicated to St. Alexander Nevsky, modeled after the church from the village of Nowoberezowo. The area where the chapel stands is largely enclosed by a moat, giving the appearance of being perched on a small island surrounded by the beautiful Białowieża landscape. Two wooden crosses and a stone stand nearby.
The third group includes two windmills (both from Orla) and farm buildings: a cottage from the village of Biała, a workshop (so-called "majsternia") from Widowo, and a barn from the village of Koszele. The post mill windmills date back to the interwar period.
The fourth group consists of just one exhibit – a fence made of so-called "balasses." It was constructed by the founders of the institution in 1983-1984 and is a faithful replica of traditional wattle fences. The structure of such a fence consists of three vertical poles and vertically interwoven spruce branches.
The landscapes themselves are a distinct attraction. They can be admired both in the museum itself – they are truly fairytale-like! – and in its surroundings.
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