Discover Naguszewo

Naguszewo and nearby Rumian offer two different perspectives for planning your trip: archaeological and local history in Naguszewo, and church architecture, furnishings, and natural monuments in Rumian. This lets you consider whether your main interest is the history of the area or the architectural and natural heritage in its surroundings. The distinction is practical, too: the archaeological traces are in Naguszewo, while St. Barbara’s Church and the old small-leaved lindens are in Rumian.

Archaeological traces and local history

Associated with Naguszewo are the archaeological burial mound “Kurhan Naguszewo” and a settlement trace designated Site 1. Together, these two different types of finds point to the area’s archaeological history: the burial mound as a clearly named structure, and the settlement trace as a separate findspot. They give local history a different focus from its later ecclesiastical and agricultural connections.

According to a local account, Bishop Wawrzyniec Gembicki confirmed the renewal of the land grant for Naguszewo as a settlement charter in Lubawa on January 9, 1609. The historical land grant comprised 30 włóki of hereditary farmland, which were granted to the Nagoszewski family. Fishing rights on Lake Rumiańskie were also associated with it. These details show how settlement, land, and usage rights are connected in the area’s recorded history; the old unit of area, włóki, is retained here in its historical form.

The Thirteen Years’ War of 1454 to 1466 offers another historical perspective. According to a local account, Naguszewo became part of the Kingdom of Poland at that time, while nearby Groszki remained within the State of the Teutonic Order. The boundary between the two present-day villages was therefore a state border. Naguszewo’s ecclesiastical ties to Rumian also go back a long way: from 1850, Naguszewo belonged to the parish there. A bishop’s visitation in 1706 also recorded that several people from Naguszewo had pledged between 10 and 50 florins toward the construction of the parish church in Rumian.

St. Barbara’s Church and its historic furnishings in Rumian

Nearby Rumian is home to the wooden parish church of St. Barbara, built in 1714. The Baroque building is listed as a monument. Its three altars reflect different periods of design: a late-Renaissance Holy Cross altar, a Baroque altar, and a high altar from the 18th century. The organ has its own date and design history: Paul B. Voelkner built it in 1909, and its exterior is designed in the Neo-Baroque style.

The furnishings can thus be distinguished by period, rather than treated as a single unified style: the Holy Cross altar dates to the late Renaissance, another altar is Baroque, and the high altar is from the 18th century. The organ adds to this historical context with its construction date of 1909 and its Neo-Baroque exterior. For planning a stay in Naguszewo, Rumian is therefore a separate point of interest for church and architectural history in the surrounding area.

Natural monuments and open spaces

Old small-leaved lindens surround the church in Rumian; they are considered natural monuments. The largest tree has a trunk circumference of 423 centimeters. The tree species, protected status, and circumference give this place a distinct natural-history dimension alongside the church architecture.

Naguszewo also offers a different focus, with more emphasis on activity and spending time outdoors. A 2022 municipal report describes an open activity area that was established, with equipment for an outdoor fitness facility, a rest area, and landscaped green spaces. The report also mentions a natural-grass sports field in Naguszewo for 2022. The two features serve different purposes: the activity area combines fitness equipment, a place to rest, and green spaces; the sports field is described as a separate grass area for sports. Both descriptions refer to the situation in 2022.

Including Rumian and Naguszewo in your travel plans

County road 185039N connects Rumian and Naguszewo. If you include both places in your plans, it provides a specific geographical link between the archaeological and historical themes in Naguszewo and the church and natural-monument lindens in Rumian. Check the current route before travelling. When choosing a hotel, you might also consider whether local history itself or the church and its surroundings are your main interest; the attractions mentioned are located partly in Naguszewo and partly in nearby Rumian.

Discover more destinations: Uzdowo, Grądy, Nowa Wies, Działdowo, Murawki, Lidzbark, Rybno, Kopaniarze.

For the broader travel overview: Soldau.