HISTORY

The Podlasie Nadbużańskie region has rich historical and cultural traditions. The decisive role in shaping the cultural heritage played geographical environment (water network of Bug River with tributaries as a communication and economic factor determining man’s being) and political surrounding. These territories since primeval times have been land of cultural borderland: from the West, there stayed eastern Lechici tribes, from the East the eastern Slavic, from the north - the Balts and the Prussians, from the south - Hungarians and Tatars.

Here there were joined influences of various religious denominations, cultures and nationalities (Polish, Ruthenian, Jewish and Armenian). Prehistory of these lands reaches the Stone Age  (Mesolithic period and Neolithic age), i.e. 10 000 years B.C. This may be justified by archaeological excavations in Słochy Annpoloskie, Turnia Duża, Zajęczniki, Drohiczyn, Wólka Zamkowa and Boratyniec. The Early Middle Ages (600-1251 AD) is the period of isolation of nations from pre-Slavic community and development of dense network of mediaeval cities on the Bug River. In this epoch there starts the flourishing of Mielnik and Drohiczyn. Drohiczyn becomes the most important early-medieval town of Nadbużańskie territories and the centre of interregional character. Its great significance, similar to that of contemporary Gniezno, Poznań or Gdańsk stemmed from the direct location on the Bug River constituting the waterway between Russia and Poland as well as between northwestern Slavics and Arabic East through the Oka and Desna rivers.

Until 14th century the Nadbużańskie territories were under strong influence or in direct Russian rule. In 13th and 14th centuries the ethnic, cultural, religious and political differences were the reason of numerous disputes between Poland, Russia and Lithuania.

Quarrels were also caused by Tatar raids in 1254 and 1260 as well as Teutonic raids in 1380. 15th and16th centuries are the period of glamour of Podlasie Nadbużańskie.

There occurs a fast economic development thanks to the “Royal track” going through the region, joining Kraków and Wilno (bridge passages over Bug in Drohiczyn and Mielnik). During Jagiellonian times, Drohiczyn and Mielnik received civic rights. In 1520 the land was included into newly formed Podlaskie voivodeship, which capital until the last partition of Poland was Drohiczyn, the centre of judiciary and administrative authorities. By virtue of the Lublin Union, Podlasie is joined to the Kingdom of Poland. From this time on a decreasing rank of these lands is observed. This is the beginning of fall of their significance and glamour.

The period subsequent to the partitions of Poland causes economic and cultural degradation of the whole Podlasie Nadbużańskie. The provincial character of Drohiczyn and Mielnik centres resulted from development of Siemiatycze that didn’t have a rich past but from the beginning of its existence was a private city which development was decided by its owners, despite its formal attachment to the Drohiczyn County since

1546. The times of glamour of Siemiatycze lands occur for the period of the reign of Anna z Sapiehów Jabłonowska.

Since 1807 (The Tylżycki Treaty) Podlasie Nadbużańskie belonged to Russia (earlier, after 3rd partition, to Prussia). The period of partitions brought political enlivening in form of activity directed against invaders (it concerns January Uprising - Siematycze battle in 1863). Within after-uprising restrictions there were intensified russification activities. Due to its good transportation (Brzesko-Grajewo railway built in 1873) and tracks (track to Białystok and the nadbużański track) Siemiatycze experienced flourishing prosperity in 19th century. 

After recovery of independence by Poland (1918) Podlasie Nadbużańskie was included into Białostockie Voivodeship. In the inter-war period it belonged to the Bielski County. Yet the period did not provide any development perspectives.

World War II brought next damages. Until 1941 (Germany’s attack on Soviet Union) the Bug River constituted a demarcation line between the Third Reich and USSR. The restrictions concern dwellers of these lands and especially the Jews.

The after-war period is the period of reconstruction and economic enlivening. Siemiatycze gains rank of county city that becomes the administrative and economic centre of lands located on the right bank of the Bug River. Drohiczyn regains civic rights and becomes a commune seat. Siemiatycze remained the County until 1975.

On January 1,1999 on the administrative map of the country, Siemiatycze again appeared as county city. Restoration of previous administrative rank gives Siemiatycze a chance for a more full social-economic and cultural development of Podlasie Nadbużańskie.

Historical event of the latest years was the visit of Pope John Paul II in Drohiczyn on 10.06.1999.