Olędrzy - (not) forgotten neighbors
Who were they?
Originally pioneers from Frisia and the Netherlands, most of the Mennonite creeds, inhabiting villages located in wetlands or sandy areas. Later this name was also used for Scottish, German, Czech settlers settling floodplains.
Why did they come to Poland?
Due to religious persecution, difficult economic situation and wars.
Why we invited them to our lands?
They were well acquainted with the melioration. The first Dutch olive-dwellers were able to cope with the wetlands where floods were frequent.
What rights they had?
They were not subject to serfdom, paid rent, were free, could sell their farm and leave the land at any time.
The settlement of Olęderskie (Olenderskie) also called the Dutch is a colonization movement, whose origins in the Polish lands reach the end of the xvi-century. It lasted until the partitions of Poland, and the traces left behind are still visible today.