Journey with me to Wólka Węglowa. This Warsaw settlement holds stories stretching back centuries.
Wólka Węglowa joined Warsaw in 1951. It was initially part of the Żoliborz district. Since 1994 it belongs to Bielany district. Wólka Węglowa offers more than just administrative history.
Imagine stone-age settlers making their home here. Archaeological finds show human presence in Wólka Węglowa dating back to the Stone Age.
By the 14th and 15th centuries a settlement existed here. Around 1765 the royal village of Wólka was founded. It became part of the Warsaw starostwo. By 1760 the village had 18 farms. Life in Wólka Węglowa revolved around agriculture and rural life.
September 19 1939 brought a tragic event. The charge of the Ułani Jazłowieccy under General Roman Abraham happened near Wólka Węglowa. It is known as the charge near Dąbrowa.
In 1943 the horrors of war touched Wólka Węglowa. Germans executed fifteen people nearby. The village experienced the brutality of World War II.
A significant landmark defines Wólka Węglowa today. The Northern Municipal Cemetery opened in 1973. It is one of Warsaw’s largest cemeteries. Locals often call it “Cmentarz na Wólce”. The cemetery addresses the lack of burial space in Warsaw. Janina Górska was the first person buried there.
The Northern Municipal Cemetery is near the exit route to Gdańsk. It borders the Młociński Forest. The cemetery covers a large area. It has 800 burial quarters and over 200 kilometers of roads. The cemetery has a water supply system. The water is not drinkable. It is only for watering plants. Tens of thousands of trees and shrubs grow here.
The cemetery also includes a funeral home. It has ceremonial halls and a crematorium. The crematorium opened in 1997. It is Warsaw’s only one. Columbariums, catacombs and green areas for scattering ashes are available.
Many famous people are buried at the Northern Municipal Cemetery. They include actress Stefania Górska and poet Edward Stachura.
Wólka Węglowa also provides access to nature. It is a popular starting point for exploring Kampinos National Park. Several walking trails start here. These include the Podwarszawski Memory Trail and the Stefan Żeromski Trail.
Plans exist to build a road connecting Kiełpin and Dziekanów Leśny with the Warsaw expressway near Powązki.
Wólka Węglowa is more than just a location. It’s a place with a rich history. It has witnessed settlements from the Stone Age to modern times. It is a gateway to nature and a place of remembrance. It is a part of Warsaw that holds layers of stories within its boundaries.