The second largest lake in the Suwałki Lake District, located in the Podlaskie Voivodeship. It covers an area of about 21.7 km² and has a maximum depth of approximately 73 meters.
Lake Wigry is a popular tourist destination where visitors can enjoy water sports, as well as fishing and sailing. Along the lake’s shore, there are numerous holiday resorts, campsites, and dining establishments. Surrounding the lake are many hiking and cycling trails that pass through the picturesque landscapes of the Augustów Forest, part of which is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
In the middle of Lake Wigry, on an island, stands the Camaldolese Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Poland, founded in 1667. This quiet, secluded place attracts many pilgrims and tourists seeking to escape the city’s hustle and immerse themselves in a contemplative atmosphere.
Lake Wigry is also valuable from a natural perspective — the area is home to many species of plants and animals, including numerous bird species that nest in the nearby forests and wetlands.
The Camaldolese Monastery in Wigry
The Camaldolese Monastery in Wigry is one of the most beautifully situated monastic complexes in Poland. It is located on a hill above Lake Wigry, in the heart of Wigry National Park in the Suwałki region.
More than two centuries before the Camaldolese arrived in Wigry, King Władysław Jagiełło is said to have come across a hermitage here during a hunting trip. News of this reached Kraków, from where the Camaldolese learned about it. They came to Poland and, with the king’s permission, settled in this place in 1668.
The monastic complex is a Baroque structure consisting of the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a clock tower, a refectory, hermitages, and monks’ quarters. A distinctive feature is the small hermitages where the monks lived. From here, there is a beautiful view of Lake Wigry and the surrounding forests.
