Gietrzwałd

Gietrzwałd ( [ ɟɛt ʃvaʊ̯t ː ], German Gietrzwałd ) is a village and seat of the rural community in the powiat Olsztyński in the Polish voivodship of Warmia - Masuria, Warmia.

The village is situated south-west of Olsztyn along Route 16 after Ostróda. The place is surrounded by pine and mixed forests and numerous lakes.

History

The village was founded in 1352 by the cathedral chapter of Warmia. The founder was called Dietrich, hence the name originates Gietrzwałd. In the 15th century Gietrzwałd was destroyed in the wars between Poland and the Teutonic Order and plundered in 1455 by the Teutonic Knights, led by Georg von Schlieben. In the mid-16th century, the settlement was not staffed, although there was a school and an inn, which came in the possession of the Allensteiner alderman George Kunigk 1645. In 1783 Gietrzwałd counted 57 farms. A great devastation experienced the village in 1807 by the French troops in the Fourth Coalition War.

Apparitions and development to the Sanctuary

The biggest event in this small village were Warmia in 1877 during the period from June 27 to September 16 several phenomena. As told, was the then 13 -year-old Justina Schaffrinski (Polish Justyna Szafryńska ) (formerly it was said that it was a German girl named " Krause " from Neumühlestrasse - today Polish " Nowy Mlyn " ) and the 12 -year-old Barbara Samulowski from Woritten (now polish " Woryty " ), both came from poor families Warmia, the Virgin Mary appeared.

Since then Gietrzwałd was a place of pilgrimage.

Critical here is to note that in the region around Gietrzwałd then only the German language was spoken. If it is claimed today, the Virgin Mary spoke in Polish to the girls, yet is very questionable whether the two contents have ever understood. The German past, particularly in relation to the event is largely ignored in today's Polish Gietrzwald. Rather, the event is presented today as " Polish Marian apparition ," which is not at the time have been without a doubt.

Only in 1977 recognized the Polish Bishop Joseph Splinter, Bishop of Warmia, appearance and thus officially approved the worship.

The two girls were first brought to safety from persecution in the healing mountain monastery, later she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy in Kulm on the Vistula one. Barbara was Samulowski life nun and died in 1950 in Guatemala. Krause Justina lived 14 years in a convent and not renewed after their vows. They probably went to Westphalia and married there.

Sanctuary

The church was enlarged in Gietrzwałd to the sanctuary in the years 1878-1884 from Paderborn Cathedral and Diocesan architect Arnold Güldenpfennig and expanded. The church was established in 1970 by Pope Paul VI. for minor basilica raised.

Gmina Gietrzwałd

For the rural community Gietrzwałd following towns include:

Notable people

• Hubert Orlowski ( born 1937 ), Polish Germanist