HISTORY
The history of settlement in what is now the Municipality Krasnystaw dates back to ancient times, as evidenced by numerous and very interesting archaeological finds. In the Middle Ages, this area was the field of numerous territorial disputes between Polish and Russians stewards, and after the collapse of Kievan Rus’ – Litwiński`s princes.
At the turn of the fifteenth and sixteenth century, Polish administrative system took the final shape. The country was divided into provinces, and these into districts. Chełm land became part of the Russian province with its capital in Lviv. Despite this Chełm land kept its distinctiveness, having its own council of nobility. In fact, Chełm lands were nothing different from the provinces, except for the fact that it did not have her provincial governor and was called to the Land and not the “province”.
And so, Krasnystaw belonged to the county of Krasnystaw, in Chełm district ,in the province Russian.
After the third partition of Polish territory, both Chelm and Lublin province were under Austrian. Krasnystaw found itself in the so-called Western Galicia, which was divided into cyrkuły, including cyrkuł chełmski, where Krasnystaw belonged. In 1809, as a result of the Napoleonic wars, the area of the current municipality was annexed to the Principality of Warsaw. In 1810 the Principality was divided into departments and districts. Krasnystaw found itself in the department of Lublin, Krasnystaw district. In the times of the Polish Kingdom, it was in Krasnystaw district, circuit Krasnostaw (Krasnystaw districts and Chełm) and Lublin province.
In 1867, the community of Krasnystaw was created. The municipality has focused the villages of Białka, Jaślików, Latyczów, Niemienice, Rońsko and Zażółkiew.
CURRENTLY…
In terms of administrative, the municipality is located in the eastern part of Lublin Province, within Krasnystaw county. The City of Krasnystaw is surrounded by the area of Krasnystaw`s Municipalities. The municipality is intersected with significant roads: international express road S-17 Warsaw-Lublin-Zamosc Krasnystaw -Hrebenne-Lviv route No. 83 interregional relations Biala Podlaska-Chelm-Wlodawa Rejowiec-Krasnystaw and the train line from Warsaw to Lviv (Ukraine).
NATURE
Krasnystaw is located within unique ecological system of protected areas, characterized by varied terrain, specimens of rare plants, with very high scenic, recreational and tourist values. Preserved in its original state, the natural beauty of the land, makes it possible to remain indifferent to these natural assets.
Municipality of Krasnystaw is surrounded by: the valley of Wieprz River, with the Żółkiewka River from the west, and Wojsławki, Siennicy and Bzdurki from the east tributaries. The whole southern part of the municipality is located in Grabowiecko-Strzelecki Landscape Protection Area. It is an extremely picturesque area of upland Giełczewskiej, with exceptional natural beauty and rich ravines system. The south-eastern part of the municipality is surrounded by lagging Skierbieszowskiego Park.
The Municipality`s Council will continue to protect the environment and to respect the principles of sustainable development, in order to preserve the natural beauty of the area. All investments, that significantly improve the lives of the inhabitants, are always done with respect for the nature, its rights and the principles of harmonious coexistence.
We change our lives in such a way, that the best interests of all residents reach over problems of individuals. We make sure, that the sustainable economic development of the Commune it was not a danger to maintaining the natural values of nature and landscape – as it is our everlasting capital for future generations.
The exceptional environmental features in the area:
1. The “Water Hole” Reserve in Niemienicach
Reserve “Water Hole” is located in the town of Niemienice and covers an area of 186 hectares. It is a landscape and forest area declared a nature reserve on the basis of the Minister of the Environment, Natural Resources and Forestry in 1996. The longest guided tour of the reserve is a 6-kilometer trail winding among the picturesque natural woods, that lets you explore typical Giełczewska`s Upland forms of terrain and vegetation. Thanks to 42 colorful information boards, deployed along the route, visitors can get acquainted with conditions of the forest`s symbiosis, issues related to the protection of the forest and learn to recognize species of trees and shrubs.
2. Skierbieszowski Landscape Park
Skierbieszowski Landscape Park was created in 1995. Based on the Decree of the Governor Chelmski. It occupies an area of approx. 35,488 hectares, and with 47,967 ha buffer zone. The purpose of the park was to preserve the unique natural values, historical, cultural and landscape Departments Grabowieckie, the highest part of the Lublin Upland grasslands and mosaic habitats grasslands and beech forests on the north-eastern border,and their gregarious occurrence of characteristic flora and fauna.
The main advantage of the landscaping Skierbieszowskiego Landscape Park is a wavy-hilly terrain with a system of deep ravines, created in a thick – sometimes dozen meters deep, layer of loess, covering almost the entire park.
3. Grabowiecko-Strzelecki Protected Landscape Area
Strzelecki Grabowiecko-Protected Landscape Area was established in 1998 under the Regulation of the Governor Chelmski. Overall, it covers an area of approx. 26,963 hectares in the commune Krasnystaw is an area of approx. 6779 ha. It was established because of distinguishing landscape characterized by various ecosystem, of especial value as tourist attractions, as well as their function as ecological corridors. One of the main functions of Protected Landscape Area is to protect Depression Dubieńskiego and Grabowieckie`s Departments: river valleys, including river meanders and oxbow lakes, natural landforms, including gorges, loess, bogs, meadows and thermophilic grasslands.
All objects are under the protection and conservation in the Krasnystaw`s Municipal Development Plan. All Municipality`s activities related to the issuance of administrative decisions in these facilities, are taken into account with the principle rule of rational use of natural resources and preservation of the natural balance.
TOURISM
Picturesque landscapes, large forests and clean unpolluted environment, make City Krasnystaw an ideal place to relax.
The route of two trails marks out the most attractive tourist areas:
– The blue route “Tadeusz Kosciuszko” that passes through the northern part Grabowiecko-Strzelecki Protected Landscape Area: Tank Tuligłowy – wooden windmill “Koźlak” – the river Wieprz – Letychiv – Rońsko – the road to the center of Krasnystaw
– The yellow route “Arian” that crosses Pagóry Chełmskie and Grabowiecki`s Departments from the Rejowiec area and leads to Krasnystaw: Krynica – hill scenic “Mountain Arian” from the original building with in a tower. “Grobiskiem” – castle ruins and brick neoclassical mansion in Krupa – Krasnystaw – Col. Zastawie – continue to Surhwa / gm. Kraśniczyn.
On the outskirts of the reserve “Water Hole” and the Protected Landscape Areas leads the path of an educational and tourist trail with a location of 4 information, teaching and viewpoint points. The route is 14 km long and runs through the areas of City and Municipality of Krasnystaw. It is also suitable for cycling.
The one exceptional place that needs to be mentioned in the town of Białka, a summer resort village. It has a unique location, in a forest complex, near the Valley of the Żółkiewka River and fishponds. Here, among forests and incredibly scenic landscapes lays a famous Stallion Depot Białka. Currently, the stud has around 100 stallions (Małopolski Horse and English Thoroughbred) and over 120 Arabians. Besides the statutory breeding, the stud actively promotes sport and horse-riding. Since 1989 Białka is the organizer of the Arabian Junior Spring Show and the Małopolski Horse Junior Spring Show. Both these events attract breeders from all over the country.
The unique natural values of the Municipality are the reason why an agricultural tourism flourishes here. Thanks to organized training and seminar on agritourism, a large part of the local farmers decided to open their homes to the visiting guests. The natural values of the landscape, traditional home cooking, the kindness and hospitality of the locals makes the perfect recipe for a great vacation. Krasnystaw Association of Agrotouristics currently brings together several farmers, who provide accommodation for holidaymakers. Farms are located in the village of Wincentów, Siennica Nadolna, Małochwiej Large. This activity has already yielded measurable economic effects, not only for the farmers themselves but also for owners of shops, petrol stations and other service establishments.
The municipality Krasnystaw is a extraordinary place. The perfect way combines the advantages of active leisure walking with idyllic holiday idyll and laziness “under the pear tree”.