What Studzieniczna is
Studzieniczna is a village of only a few hundred people, but one of the most visited religious sites in Podlasie. Its centre is the sanctuary of Our Lady of Studzieniczna with its miraculous image of the Madonna, probably from the end of the 18th century. The chapel stands on a narrow peninsula reaching into Lake Studzieniczne — surrounded by water on every side, joined to the land by a causeway and a bridge.
Beside the sanctuary stands the „studzieniczka” — a wooden chapel over a spring whose water is traditionally credited with healing properties. Pilgrims come for it all year round.
John Paul II's visit
On 9 June 1999 John Paul II came to Studzieniczna during his seventh pilgrimage to Poland. He prayed before the miraculous image, met the local people and then rested at the former Camaldolese monastery at nearby Wigry. That event is deeply present in the identity of the place — a monument to the pope stands by the sanctuary, the chapel bears the title of a „papal” sanctuary, and celebrations are held on the anniversary.
What to see
- The church of Our Lady of the Scapular — Baroque, wooden, with the miraculous image. A plain interior, but with an exceptional atmosphere
- The studzieniczka — an 18th-century wooden chapel over the spring
- The monument to John Paul II — near the church, photographed by most pilgrims
- The bridge and causeway — the way across the water to the sanctuary, a sight in itself
- Lake Studzieniczne — clean, with a seasonal beach on the far shore, good for a swim after the visit
- The parish cemetery — picturesque, with wooden crosses in the regional style
What to do nearby besides the sanctuary
Studzieniczna lies in the heart of the Augustów Forest and on the Augustów Canal — it is a good idea to combine the sanctuary with other things:
- An excursion boat trip — Augustów ↔ Studzieniczna is the classic route (about 2 hours each way)
- The beach on Lake Studzieniczne — swimming and seasonal kayak hire
- A forest walk — several waymarked paths in the Augustów Forest start from the settlement
- The Przewięź lock — 10 minutes' walk from the sanctuary, one of the loveliest on the Augustów Canal
How to get there and practical info
- From Augustów
- About 10 min by car (7 km, the road towards Suwałki)
- By boat
- From the passenger harbour in Augustów, about 2 hours (there and back)
- By bicycle
- About 30 min along the path beside the Augustów Canal
- Admission
- Free to the sanctuary; donations welcome
- Parking
- Free by the sanctuary (it can fill up in season)
- Toilets
- Seasonal by the car park and the beach
Gallery
Photos taken on site. Photo: Marek Marcola.
When to go
Quiet, with trees in blossom and green all around. Few pilgrims — the best moment for those who value silence.
The full season — pilgrimages, boat trips and swimming. The church is crowded on Sundays. A swim after the visit.
Golden colours over the lake, ideal for photographers. Fewer people than in summer. The last boat trips run to mid-October.
A raw beauty; the church is open all year. A hard frost can cover the lake with ice — very picturesque.
Other sights in Augustów
Straight-line distances from „Studzieniczna" — calculated from real coordinates. By road it is often further.
Where to stay nearby
Places from our list that have Studzieniczna within walking distance or a short drive.
