Żywki – a village by the lake with traces of history

Żywki lies by a lake of the same name. The village combines its lakeside setting with a history that can be traced through its buildings and other remnants, as well as two circular cycling routes that pass through the village. When planning a trip, you can combine the lake, the village’s history and excursions along circular routes of different lengths. The routes differ not only in length, but also in the places, lakes and landscapes along the way.

Village history between the centre and the lake

Żywki was founded in the mid-16th century. An object made of dressed stone stands in the village centre. Near Lake Żywki is a Protestant cemetery dating from the second half of the 19th century. The village centre and the area around the lake thus offer different points of interest: the stone object is in the centre of the village, while the cemetery is near the lake. Together, these places give an impression of different aspects of the village’s history.

A railway station building dating from 1908 provides another historical marker. Żywki is also home to a former watermill from the early 20th century, now used as a residence. The two buildings represent different stories: one is a railway station building, the other a former mill that is now used as a home. Żywki thus brings together a precisely dated building and a former workplace now used for residential purposes.

The palace by Lake Żywki is also part of the village’s history. During the Second World War, the headquarters of the German 4th Army under General Friedrich Hossbach were temporarily housed there. In January 1945, the Red Army burned down the palace. This episode differs from the history of the buildings that still stand: it is associated with a specific event and the palace’s destruction.

Two circular cycling routes through Żywki

The black cycling route is 37.5 kilometres long, forms a circular route and passes through Żywki. Other stops include Lake Żywy, Lipowo, Zagroda Żubrów, Możdżany, Lake Gołdapiwo and Kruklanki. The green circular route covers 44 kilometres and runs from Kruklanki through Żywki. It also passes Lakes Sołtmany and Gawlik, goes to Zagroda Żubrów and through Puszcza Borecka to Lake Gołdapiwo, before returning to Kruklanki.

The comparison makes it easier to choose between the routes when planning: the green route is 6.5 kilometres longer than the black one and passes through Puszcza Borecka. The black route connects Żywki with the other places and lakes mentioned, including Lipowo and Możdżany. Both circular routes pass through the village, but differ in length and course. You can use these two features to decide which route better suits your plans for the day.

Żywki as a base for your stay

There is a holiday resort in the park in Żywki. The village lies by the lake of the same name, and both circular cycling routes described pass through it. You can choose what to focus on during your stay by combining the village’s history, the lake and a cycling trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Marcinowa Wola, Guty, Kruklanki, Jeziorowskie, Ryn, Boćwinka, Wilkasy, Sterławki Wielkie.

For the overview of the wider area: Giżycko.