Travels in Orawa [#04] - Orawka

Looking at the idyllic landscape of fields, forests, and mountains lining the horizon, it’s hard to imagine that the land of Orawa ever experienced wartime actions. And yet, this is just a deceptive impression. Almost every village located in the Orawa Basin is marked on the map depicting the struggles of World War II. Remnants of some of these can still be seen today, for example, by visiting Orawka.

This small village located along national road No. 7 felt the impact of war right in the early days of September 1939. As soon as the German forces grouped in nearby Jabłonka made their first moves, the Polish response was immediate. A column of six PZL 23 B “Karaś” aircraft took off from the air. The aircraft numbered 4 suffered the most in the battle. The downed plane crashed directly in Orawka. Of the three crew members, only one survived, managing to parachute out before the crash. The other two were buried in the land of Orawa, at the site of the disaster, and their grave became a symbol of the fight against the invader. To this day, it is an inseparable part of Orawka's history, just like the wooden church from the 17th century, regarded as one of the most valuable monuments of wooden architecture in southern Poland. Moreover, a monument dedicated to the heroic pilots is located in its immediate vicinity.

While walking through Orawka, it is worthwhile to visit this interesting place. And then continue on, along one of the many trails leading into the Orawski Beskid.

Author of the photos and text - Bogusława Bandyk