Today, this is hard to imagine, but for many centuries, the Gretel was a place full of life. The settlement grew dynamically, attracting, among another things, metallurgists, bartists and fishermen. In time, it became 1 of the largest villages in Mazury, with hundreds of inhabitants and dozens of farms. The streets were bustling with regular noise, and the church and school were the heart of the community. The past of the village, however, is not only a image of past prosperity, but besides a drama of successive wars and disasters that led to its full disappearance. The Marquis now only exists in the memory and name of the nature reserve, and its destiny reminds of the fragility of human history.
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First there was Red and then there was Gretel. Over time, the settlement became the largest centre of Mazur
The first mention of matrimony dates back to 1343. The settlement then functioned under the name Ruda - referring to rich deposits of turf ore, from which iron was melted. It was the steel manufacture that started the dynamic improvement of the village. In 1403, Master Eckart received the privilege to lead the iron forge, which brought fresh settlers and craftsmen to the vicinity. shortly the inn was built and a small later the school was built. The town attracted bartners, fishermen and smolers, as well as hunters who utilized the wealth of surrounding forests and rivers. Thanks to various activities, residents developed the economy, and the village rapidly grew to be 1 of the largest centres in the region. By the end of the 18th century, she had already had respective 100 settlers, which made her an highly crucial point on the map. The wooden church, erected before 1579, served as a spiritual and inclusive centre for the community. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, he was replaced by a brick temple that further emphasized the importance of the village.
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From the 19th century onward, the communicative of Mage was increasingly marked with drama. In 1807, the region became a war arena. Although the struggles had marked the local community, the village managed to rise itself. In subsequent decades, settlers lived from agriculture and crafts. The top drama came in January 1945 erstwhile the Red Army entered the village. Half the buildings were destroyed and many people lost their lives. Only the inhabitants who hid in the alleged small Mage, part of the settlement, would see the end of the war. The survivors tried to rebuild the village. In 1947, displaced Ukrainians arrived here as part of the "Wisła" action. Despite hard conditions, the 2 nations were able to unite and support each other, and the common services in the church became a symbol of this solidarity. Unfortunately, hope died quickly. In 1954, the PRL authorities decided to extend the military camp to the territory of Málga. The last residents were displaced, and the buildings were demolished. Only the church tower, utilized by soldiers as an reflection point, was left behind. For the next decades, the sound of artillery and tanks was the only sound.
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Today, the erstwhile village is only reminded of the nature reserve of Małga, which protects the valley of the river Omulev - the place where cranes, thorns and eagles live. The remains of the settlement are the foundations of houses and the destroying church tower, fenced off due to mediocre method condition. This is the last trace of a place that for centuries has been 1 of the crucial points on the map of Mazur.
Source: Encyclopedia of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn Newspaper
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