Mennonites in Poland. Common Heritage

For centuries, representatives of different nationalities and denominations settled in areas under Polish rule, as these lands offered relatively favourable and safe living conditions. The Mennonites were one of the religious groups to reach Poland. The first Mennonite settlers arrived in the sixteenth century from the Netherlands and northern Germany. To the Mennonites, Poland was much more than just a safe haven from religious persecution. Most importantly, Poland gave the Mennonites a new home. Mennonite colonies sprang up mainly in the depression at the mouth of the Vistula River, called Żuławy in Polish or Werder in German, as well as in the lower and middle reaches of the river. Mennonites gained wide recognition as experts in reclaiming depression and flood-prone land for agriculture. They also made a name for themselves as industrious farmers whose hard work helped i.a. many villages flourish economically. Over the four centuries of their presence in Poland, Mennonites have left their mark on the cultural heritage of the regions they settled. Today, it is our pleasure to offer you a walk in the footsteps of Poland’s former Mennonite community. This guide was created under the "Mennonites in Poland. Common Heritage" project co-financed by the Polish History Museum under the ‘Patriotism of Tomorrow’ programme.