Małkinie on the western shore of Lake Woszczelskie

Małkinie lies on the western shore of Lake Woszczelskie. The lake provides the town with a clear geographical reference point. At the same time, a long history of settlement here is connected with a planned Natura 2000 protected area that includes parts of Małkinie. This gives the destination a profile shaped by its lakeside location, history, and connection to nature.

Local history and former names

One specific historical reference point is the year 1473: at that time, Andrzej Świnko received a land grant from Procurator Walter von Kökeritz. Małkinie was also settled by Polish settlers from Masovia. The land grant describes a specific event; the information about the settlers’ origins draws attention to the people who settled here. These are two distinct aspects of the town’s history. The two dates mark different historical layers: the 1473 land grant was a single event, while the 550th anniversary in 2023 was a later celebration. The difference lies not only in the years but also in their role in the town’s history: one was a historical event, the other its later commemoration at a festival.

The former name also offers a glimpse into Małkinie’s history: the town was once known as “Melkin.” The town’s name derived from the lake’s name at the time, Małkińskie or Melckinskie. The town and lake names are thus linked through a shared history of naming. For travelers who like to trace the origins of place names when planning a trip, this provides a linguistic-historical perspective on the town alongside the year 1473.

The lake and planned protected area

The planned Natura 2000 protected area of Lake Woszczelskie encompasses the lake and its immediate surroundings. It covers 313.7 ha and includes parts of Małkinie.

The catchment area of this planned Natura 2000 site is predominantly characterized by peat bogs, meadows, and alder stands. The lake itself is mesotrophic and of the stonewort type.

An anniversary in 2023

Another, more recent connection to the town’s history is Małkinie’s 550th anniversary in 2023. The traditional Święto Ziemniaka (Potato Festival) was celebrated on that occasion. The festival included a competition for the best potato dish. The Potato Festival can therefore be seen as part of that anniversary celebration. For a cultural perspective on Małkinie, this dated event adds a specific celebration featuring a potato-dish competition to the information about the land grant, settlement, and former town names.

Depending on your interests, you can discover Małkinie through its lakeside location, the natural features of the protected area, or its various historical reference points. These topics offer different ways to orient yourself when choosing a destination, without suggesting any particular type of stay.

Discover more destinations: Zdunki, Ruska Wies, Miluki, Lepaki Wielkie, Regiel, Chrzanowo, Kalinowo, Bartosze

For the broader travel overview: Ełk.