• Mazovian geography• Mazovia now• Traditions• Mazovian traditional costume• Traditional art• Music• Nature of the Mazovia• Big trip throught Mazovia

Total area: 35 579,09 km2 (11,4% of countryterritory)

Districts: 37

Communitis: 314

Cities: 85

Population: 5 079 006

Climate: marine and continental

Atmospheric precipitation: 450-600mm

Average temperature: January: -6° C

July: 20° C

Highest mountain: no name (236m n.p.m.) near Stara Wieś

Main rivers: Vistiula, Bug, Narew

To the north is the Mazovian Lowland; to the east, the Południowopodlaska (South Podlasian) Lowland; and to the south, the Iłża Foreland.

Area: 35 598 km2

Populations: 5 079 006

Cities:85

The Province covers an area of 35,598 square kilometres and is the largest administrative region of the country. The area accounts for 11,4% of Poland's territory. Mazovia lies in the center of Polandin the great central plain between the Warta and Vistula Rivers. From the west the Province borders on Kujawsko-Pomorskie and Lodzkie Provinces; from the north on Warminsko-Mazurskie, from the east on Podlasie and Lubelskie, and from the south on Swietokrzyskie Province.

Every country has its own traditions, different than others. Poland also does. We decided to tell you what we do on the two most important holidays in the year – Christmas and Easter.EasterThis is how the most important days of Great Week look like in Poland:On Great Friday there is no mass at the churches. The priests read fragments of the Bible (about Christ’s death). It’s a day of sorrow and sadness. There is an imitation of Christ’s grave in every church and on Friday we can see them.We usually paint eggs in different colors or draw something on them. On Great Saturday we go to the church again but with “święconki”. Święconki are baskets that contain bread, sausage, salt and the painted eggs (called “pisanki”). At the church, the priest hallows our basket with Holy Water.And finally, on Easter, we eat the hallowed food with our families. We share the food and wish our relatives everything the best.

Here is an example of a very pretty pisanka (painted egg). ->

This is a święconka (basket with hallowed food). ->

The Mazovian people are very traditional. They preserved many customs and traditions. The same refers to the unique folk costumes.

The Mazovian folk costumes have been changing for years. In the 19th century people began to wear the characteristic striped fabric. A crimson background covered with vertical sets of stripes dominated till the end of that century. Then an orange background appeared and the stripes were varied. In the

inter- war period clothes were mainly blue and green.Women from Mazovia region wore: creased skirts made of striped woollen cloth called “ pasiaki”, pleated aprons, bodices blouses and jackets. In winter they put on “ blue fur- coats”, warm jackets

with sheepskin cuffs and collars. The bodices were made of black velvet and sewn together with the skirts. They were embroidered with threads and beads giving a splendid display of roses surrounded by other smaller flowers and leaves. Women’s blouses were made of white linen. Their sleeves with

embroidered cuffs were extremely baggy. Women wore also black laced boots and the shawls on their heads and shoulders. The women’s costumes were complemented with strings of natural or artificial

coral or amber beads.Men wore woollen striped trousers, which mainly were orange. The white shirts resembled those

worm by women. They often put on embroidered ties, which were called “przodziki”. “Przodzik” was the rectangular piece of cloth ended with turn-up collar. It was put on the white shirt under the black

tigh sleeveless jacket called “lejbik”. In the 20th century the long belted coats- “spencers”- were fashionable. Moreover, they wore black embroidered velvet hats and black knee- long boots.

The Mazovian traditional costume was colourful and smart. Many people from Mazovia still posses folk clothes. The costumes can be also admired in museums, during important religious celebrations

or folk art festivals.

Łowicz and Kurpie cutouts are made only by women. They present various

of flowers and animals. This cutouts are patterns cut out from colored

paper and sticked to white paper. Every cutout is different as it is

entirely hand-made. They can be used as any kind of decoration.

Masovian Folk MusicMasovia (Polish: Mazowsze) is a geographical and historical regionsituated in the Masovian Plain in eastern Poland. Its largest city is Warsaw, while its historical capitals include Plock and Warsaw

Christianized in 966, Poland chooses the Church of Rome and becomes a catholic State. The first hand-written works dated of the 9th century witness the influence of the Gregorian chant.

FolkloreThe Kurpie people is the name of a population group living in north-east

Poland. Numerous artists continue such fields of works as paper cut-outs, ritual

plastic, amber-work, wicker-work, sculpture, the craft of pottery and weaving. The beautiful songs and

impulsive dances, paper cut-outs, being the sensation in world’s scale, Easter's

palms, regional costume, which the amber necklaces make up decoration, there are only few aspects of beautiful,

rich and alive culture of the Kurpie people.

The Lowicz region is known for its living folk art tradition and culture. Well-known are beautiful striped dresses and blouses

with embroidery. Dances are very impulsive, dynamic. Turnovers, whirls and solo performances of the best dancing

couples dominate.

The Kołbielski region is situated in the south-east Mazovia, by the scenic river called Świder. Folk

traditions were connected with seasons and ceremonies – with particular fetes and stages of life. Impulsive music is characteristic for this region and dances are based on

whirls, swing, steps – singing often associates.

Classical musicIn 16th century a polyphonic school of song appears whose first composer was Mikolaj de Radom. The Mazurka, dance which forms part of Polish cultural traditions, appeared in about 1550.

In the 17th century, Poland is fascinated by Italy to the detriment of its national culture. In 1625, Warsaw is the first city to found its own Opera House out of Italy. Hundred years later, the appearance of the “Polonaise” is the only striking event of the Age of Enlightenment.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Elsner founds the Warsaw Academy of Music. Kleofas Oginski composes the first symphonic works, an opera dedicated to Napoleon and a cycle of Polonaises, which became a model for Chopin.Elsner wrote about Chopin: “Astonishing capacities. Genius of music”. At 19 years old, Chopin is regarded as the best Polish pianist; its improvisations are dazzling. However, on November 1st, 1830, he leaves Poland for France, “a study trip abroad”, and never came back. He was buried at the cemetery Père-Lachaise in Paris, but his heart was brought to the Church of the Holy Cross in Warsaw.

The term "Polish composers' school" was popularized in the early 60s to name the specific style of Polish music in which the tone of sound is a foundation of the structure of a musical piece. Inauguration of the "Warsaw Autumn" festival of contemporary music in October 1956 also played a significant role in the establishment of the "Polish composers' These aesthetics are represented in Polish music mainly by Witold Lutoslawski (1913-1994) and Krzysztof Penderecki (born in 1933) and other. school".

W. Lutosławski K. Penderecki

Mazovia it's region of Poland which has wonderful forests, lakes, rivers and parks. The Mazovia is full of natural landscapes. For many foreigners Mazovia is region which is lot of plants, trees and beautiful landscapes. 20% of the Mazovia is cover for forest. Forest are freely accessible. On a area of the Mazovia are the largest Polish city (Warsaw) but region still have natural character. Landscape id diverse, most of region is agricultural and full of orchards. On Mazovia are over thousand reserves. There are living many species of birds. In the Mazovia forest you can find many animal for example lynxes, beavers or badgers. Many storks live on the area of the Mazovia .Every fourth stork live in the Poland.

We start our trip in the biggest city, capital of Poland, Warsaw. If you want know something about it, you should look at our previous project.

In this project you can find out some interesting places in Mazovia.

Kampinos National Park-This place is rich with flora and fauna (beavers, mooses, otters and black stors). In park you can find cemetery, museum of Kampinos’s forest, and cycling routes.Important place to visit in our trip is Żelazowa Wola, where famous polish pianists Fryderyk Chopin was born. You can see there museum full of memories of Fryderyk Chopin, located in his family house.

Podkowa leśna-one of the most beautiful places nearto Warsaw. You ought to visit famous Linden alley. You should see also Lilpop’s palace and pre-war willas “Aida” and “ Civil Casino”.

Modlin –To the north of Warsaw there is Modlin’s Fortress, where battles of First World War were placed. There are still many ruins like : barracks, officer’s casino, gates and towers.

Ciechanów -The most known place in Ciechanów is Mazovia’s Dukes’s Castle, built in 14th century. In the castle ruins you can see the exhibition of the paintings with castle’s history and collection of the arms and weapons. It is worth mentioning that sometimes Knight’s tournaments and ancient music concerts are organized there.

Ciechanów is a town in north-central Poland with 47,900 inhabitants (2002). It is situated in the Masovian Voivodeship (since 1999). Before World War II, it was home to a large Jewish community. During the war many Polish Jews and resistance fighters were executed by the Germans in the castle. The town was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1939 and known as Zichenau in German. It was the capital of Regierungsbezirk Zichenau, a subdivision of the Province of East Prussia. The territory was connected to Poland again after the war. You can see there Ruins of 14th century castle, Augustinian monastery - Late Gothic church of Visitation of Virgin Mary (1st quarter of 16th century) and cloister from the turn of 17th and 18th century, Late Gothic church of the Birth of Virgin Mary (1st quarter of 16th century), Gothic-revival town hall from 1844, Farski Hill with an old bell tower from 1889, Jewish cemetery from the 19th century.

Ostrołęka is a town in northeastern Poland on the Narew river, about 120 km (75 miles) northeast of Warsaw, with a population of 53,605 (2007) and an area of 29 km². Situated in the Masovian Voivodeship (since 1999). Ostrołęka lies on a sand-mud plain on the left side of the Narew River. The name comes from a plain that was once flooded by the Narew during the spring. A small island is located about 1 kilometer (half a mile) from today's town centre. In the 11th or 12th century, there was a fort built on it, making it one of the few fortifications on or near the Narew. Other forts were located in the city of Łomża, Nowogród and Pułtusk. The fort was surrounded by the village now known as Ostrołęka. Ostrołęka was first mentioned in the Province Act of 1373, signed by Prince Siemowit III. The actual date of the town's foundation is not precisely known, but it is known that by 1373, Ostrołęka was one of the biggest towns in the surrounding area.

Pułtusk-The town is known from collegiate church, named Blessed Virgin Mary’s Church built in 15th century. You should see it ,because of interesting architecture and beautiful frescos on the collegiate’s ceiling.

Zegrze’s Bay -The biggest artificial lake close to Warsaw (33 sq.km).Center of water sports and sailing. The most popular place for family’s recreation on the weekends.

Czersk - You ought to visit there Mazovia’s Dukes’s Castle .It was built in 14th century. During the history, many battles and events were placed here, which has important meaning for polish history. In 16th century it became a royal property and was a possession of Queen Bona. Most of the walls of the castle are still in good condition and its three towers which are used by tourists as an observation points.

Konstancin Jeziorna - City in Mazovian province. Historical health resort close to Warsaw. The town, a 19th century health spa, sits on the administrative border of the capital city, Warsaw. The town has an interesting collection of historic villas and new built mansions, a shopping center in a restored 19th century paper mill.

Płock is a city in central Poland, on the Vistula river, with 131,011 inhabitants. It is located in the Masovian Voivodeship (since 1999), having previously been the capital of the Płock Voivodeship (1975-1998). It now heads a Powiat (province) at the extreme west of the Mazovian Voivodeship. Its 12th century beautiful cathedral contains the tombs of Ladislaus Herman (died 1102) and Boleslaus III the Wrymouth (died 1138) - the dukes of Poland. They are buried in the Masovian Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral in Płock. Some historians say that Płock was the capital city of Poland during their reign (1080-1138). It was also a seat of several of the Dukes of Masovia and one of the capitals of that state.

Radom is a city in central Poland with 227,309 inhabitants. It is located on the Mleczna River in the Masovian Voivodeship (since 1999), having previously been the capital of Radom Voivodeship (1975-1998), 100 km south of Poland's capital, Warsaw. Despite its proximity to Warsaw, Radom is not part of historical Polish region of Masovia, but Lesser Poland. Radom was founded in 1340, and it belonged to the Sandomierz Voivodeship (part of Little Poland) of the Kingdom of Poland, later Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. During the partitions of Poland it was held successively by Austria and Russia in the 19th century before returning to Poland after World War I in 1918. Town Hall In RadomTown hall In RadomŻeromskiego Street

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