Chrzanowo can be explored from two angles: through its local church history and along the “Morenowe Wzgórza” cycling route. The building of the Greek Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul dates from the late 19th century and was previously a school. The “Stone of Reconciliation”, erected in 2007, stands in the historic Protestant cemetery. The blue cycling route passes through Chrzanowo on its way back to Ełk and is 30 kilometres long in total.

Church, architecture and local history

The building of the Greek Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul was constructed in the late 19th century. It previously housed a school and is built using both masonry and timber construction. The change from school to church provides a concrete historical contrast: both functions belong to the history of the same building.

The information answers different questions. The date places the building’s origins in time, the masonry and timber construction describes how it was built, and its former use as a school adds another chapter to its history as a church. In this way, the building’s construction and use histories come together in one place, without one replacing the other.

The “Stone of Reconciliation”

The “Stone of Reconciliation” was erected in 2007 in the historic Protestant cemetery in Chrzanowo. It bears the year 1473, given as the village’s first written mention. This year is a written historical reference and should not automatically be equated with the village’s founding date.

The village names Chrzanowo, Chrzanowen and Kalkofen are also inscribed on the stone. The year and place names are thus brought together on the same memorial: the date refers to the first written mention, while the names preserve different designations for the village. This monument offers insight into two aspects of local history.

A patronal feast with regional significance

A patronal feast is the feast day of a church’s patron saint. On 12 July, the patronal feast of the Greek Catholic parish of St. Peter and Paul, Greek Catholic worshippers from Warmia and Masuria came to Chrzanowo. The participants’ origins give the feast a regional significance; Chrzanowo was the gathering place. The local church history therefore includes not only the church building but also a community event.

The “Morenowe Wzgórza” cycling route

The blue “Morenowe Wzgórza” cycling route is 30 kilometres long. It runs through Ełk, Straduny, Piaski, Malinówka, Królowa Wola, Czerwonka, Grabnik and Chrzanowo, before returning to Ełk. The route order makes Chrzanowo one stop on a longer ride; Ełk is named both along the route and at its end.

When planning, bear in mind that the stated distance applies to the entire route. Allow time according to your riding pace and planned breaks, and check local route conditions before setting off. The cycling route offers a different way to experience the area than its architectural and cemetery history: the focus here is on the ride and its listed stops.

Discover more destinations: Zawady Ełckie, Szeligi, Sajzy, Woszczele, Lepaki Wielkie, Regiel, Orzechowo, Laśmiady.

Go to the main travel overview: Lyck.