Along the Bug river

In tourists' jargon"Nadbuzanskie Podlasie" is the name of the charming grounds extending along both banks of the Bug River at the intersection of the provincial borders of Bialystok, Siedlce and Bielsk Podlaski.
Rare species, dense forest complexes and the extremely attractive landscape of the Podlaski Gorge of the Bug River appeal to lovers of peace and unusual natural beauty who come here every year.
Travelling along the Bug River from Niemirow to Drohiczyn and farther is a spell of great adventure and impressions. Memories of canoe, boat or barge-hired cruises will long be treasured. How can one forget the river's twist and turns, or its lofty banks where towns with magnificent pasts and historical monuments are situated?
Siemiatycze is the largest town in the area of Missionary Fathers "Nadbuzanskie Podlasie". It is a suitable transportation base for exploring every nook and cranny of the region. In the town one can visit the monastery complex of Missionary Fathers dating from the 17th century, the orthodox church and the synagogue, Every year in July the "We do not leave that land" review of Polish artistic groups from the Borderlands is held in Siemiatycze. Traveling along the Bug River usually ends in Bork, the village that was referred century to in the 13th century. There are ruins of a castle belonging to bishops of Plock and a late Gothic church from the 16th century.
Grabarka is 8 km to the east of Siemiatycze. It is a centre of pilgrimage for the orthodox community. The most numerous pilgrimages come here on 19 August which is the Day of Christs Alteration. There is an orthodox church on the Holy Hill. It is a faithful copy of the eternal church which was barbarously set on fire in 1989. There are thousands of crosses around the church that were brought by pilgrims. Next to the orthodox church there is a convent and a miraculous spring which gushes from the foot of the hill.
Liw is a little, forgotten village, which is why a lot of tourists travelling from Warsaw to Siemiatycze do not notice the sign leading to its castle. This castle is the oldest monument of architecture in Siedlce province. It was erected in the 15th century to protect the Mazovian Duchy. At present it houses a museum of military exhibits and paintings of battle scenes.
Monuments in Drohiczyn are a piece of good fortune for all architecture lovers. The town, with a population of 2000, is a seat for the Roman Catholic bishopric and has three church-monastery complexes from the 16 and 18th centuries. There is Poland and the Soviets in 1920.
Mielnik is a village of urban and administrative traditions. From Castle Mountain one can admire a beautiful panoramic view on the Bug Valley. There are ruins of the 16th century church at the foot of the mountain. In the outskirts of the village there is a huge chalk quarry. Mielnik is visited by botanists from all over Europe. Because of its particular geological structure (cretaceous) the Uszescie Mountain in Mielnik (a sanctuary of nature) is populated by plants that like warmth and growin Mediterranean regions. Thus, it is unusual for the Polish climate.
Niemirow is next to the Polish and Belorussian border. It is a starting point for attractive journeys along the Bug River, whose lofty banks can be found close behind the village. In the centre of the village there is a church in the Classical style, a testimony to urban past of Niemirow.
Zuzela is one of the oldest villages in Nurzec land. The Primate of Millennium cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, was born in Zuzela in 1901 and lived here until 1910. In front of the Neogothic church dating from 1913 there is a statue of the primate. Next to the church there is a museum dedicated to him dating from 1989. It is located in the old school building which was attended by the cardinal.
Ciechanowiec is 20 km to the east of Zuzela. There is a Skansen (outdoor) museum in the town where one can find various examples of folk architecture. There is also the Museum of Agriculture in Ciechanow. It is in memorial of Krzysztof Kluk,with exhibits of ancient agriculture and medicine. There is an artificial lake on the Nurzec River that flows through Ciechanow.
The Bug is the east tributary of the Narew River. It is more than 770 km long only 587 km are within Poland (360 km is a border river). The so-called Podlaski Gorge of the Bug river is the most interesting section and extends from Niemirow to Drohiczyn. Glaciation in Central Poland has left many formations which make the landscape diverse and lively. The highest points of the region are 200 m above sea level (Uszescie Mountain near Mielnik is 204 m high). The forests are mainly pine but in the river valley there are deciduous forests. A landscape park is planted here.
During the World War II in Treblinka, situated south of the Bug River, the Germans set up the extermination camp. Thousands of people were murdered here, most of them Jews.
Although "The Green Lungs of Poland" do not cross the Bug River on its south bank to Bielsk Fodlaski province, it is necessary to visit at least Janow Podlaski while touring around Nadbuzanskie Podlasie. Janow Podlaski is famous for its) e Baroque collegiate church from the 18th century, the buildings of the former theological seminary, the old Dominican church and the remains of the bishops castle.
Neple is not far from Janow, with a tombstone that involves different legends and traditions.