Josephine Colonization Trail

The Josephine Colonization Trail shows the history of the German settlement on the territory of the Ustrzyki Dolne commune. Josephine Colonization was started by emperor Joseph II in the second half of the 18th century, when the emperor’s letters started to encourage German settlers to come and settle in Galicia. For coming to and settling on the offered lands, colonizers were promised a series of privileges, including: free wood for construction, a 10-year relief from all taxes, and cash allowances. In the end, in the area of today’s Ustrzyki Dolne commune, there were four colonies in the following towns: in Bandrów Narodowy – Bandrów Kolonia, in Stebnik – Steinfels, in Krościenko – Obersdorf, and in Brzegi Dolne – Siegenthal. This short introduction shows only a small part of what you can discover if you decide to go on a bike trip on the trail.

The Josephine Colonization Trail starts in Ustrzyki’s Regional Chamber, from where, after seeing an exposition devoted to German colonists, you should go to the promenade in the centre of the town. On the market square, there is the first board and signposts showing the route. From Ustrzyki Dolne, going along road no. 896, we get to Bandrów Narodowy and Stebnik, and, in order to get to Krościeńko and Brzegi Dolne, we take state road no. 84. At all these points, there are information boards and other signposts.