We built a house in Rykowisko in the idyllic village of Pasieki on the edge of the Białowieża Forest in 2009. We had bought the estate with a wooden and brick ruin a few years earlier, but we had been thinking for a long time about what kind of house should be built here. In order not to make reckless decisions, and at the same time to be able to live in this magical place, we have brought from Germany...a circus car.
Living in a wagon delighted us so much that the number of wagons increased to three, and the design of the house matured peacefully and without haste. We looked at hundreds of photos, read everything that we had in hand about the architecture of Podlasie, we also found "obsessed" architects. It paid off: the carriages have become an extraordinary attraction, and our beloved HOME, which we also share with our guests, wins over hearts! The biggest compliment we heard was that it looked as if it had been standing here forever.
A magical farm has been created in Pasieki: a blue house from Podlasie, romantic circus cars, and an old orchard, a garden that becomes more beautiful every year, a swimming pool, a house for children. And above all, the forest and its inhabitants: there is no better place for deer watching (they can be heard even in the bedroom of the house, and in the carts, you have the impression that they are right at the door), mushroom pickers will be like in paradise, bird lovers can observe them from the terrace (we are visited by lesser spotted eagles, cranes, hoopoes, corn crakes), in the spring you will experience unforgettable bird and frog night concerts here, a lazy summer will captivate you with its smells, colours, beautiful nights with a milky way, and winter with stars at your fingertips, fire in the fireplace and walks in the forest will leave you longing ...
We covered the house with aspen shavings, hand-hewn logs from a cottage that used to stand here were used to build the living room walls - we wanted to save something from the earlier life of this settlement. Our house is brilliant for trips with family or friends, because it has three separate bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and a small vestibule, creating separate wholes, ensuring privacy. If there are more than 6 of you, some of you can live in carts (from the end of April to the end of September).
On the ground floor there is a living room connected to the kitchen - a very atmospheric place, with a fireplace, adapter, projector, enlarged by the space of a porch typical of Podlasie - ideal for morning coffee! In the kitchen, guests have at their disposal both a gas stove with an electric oven and a wood stove and a bread oven, in front of the house there is a brick grill - nothing stands in the way of culinary experiments. All the more so because you can help yourself to fruit from our orchard :-)
Our habitat has an area of approx. 1.3 ha, on its part located closer to the Forest, behind the hedge and orchard, there are three circus wagons - everyone will easily find a quiet corner, we do not complain about lack of space... Guests of the House and wagons can meet at the bonfire, in the swimming pool or in the Children's House.
The house and the wagons have well-equipped kitchens - we like to cook ourselves and our stays in Apiary are always a culinary experience, so you will find everything you need to cook together. In the garden, there are herbs, berries, apples in indecent quantities waiting for you - you can use everything! The forests are full of mushrooms and berries, and dinners around the campfire will be remembered for a long time!
During trips to Białowieża or Narewka, you can also eat in restaurants.
We can also recommend catering.
You simply can't get bored here! Go to the Forest, on foot or by bike (if you don't have your own, we'll advise you) - every season is different, wild and mysterious, rewarding the persistent with unexpected encounters... Remember: the Forest is a phenomenon on a global scale, only our natural heritage of humanity on the UNESCO list! You won't find such biodiversity anywhere else! Bisons, deer, wild boars, wolves visit our meadows, ornithological observations can be conducted from the terrace :-) We will recommend great guides, masters of guiding also around the strict reserve. The Narewka River in the Forest can be discovered from a kayak. Don't forget that Podlasie has traditionally been multicultural - go in search of the Jewish Narewka, listen to Orthodox songs, visit the mosque in Kruszyniany. Or indulge in laziness in the garden, chat by the fireplace in winter, check out our library and film library, listen to old records... From September to mid-June, on Thursdays, we invite you to a free banya (sauna) :-) And if you come for at least a week during this period, in addition to the banya, you will get a free hot barrel for two evenings. The banya and barrel are also waiting for you on long weekends! And in the summer, you will find refreshment in the pool :-)
What’s there for children?
We invite the kids! There is a swimming pool, a secret Playhouse for Children, a sandbox, a swing, board games, books to read together and plenty of space, a beautiful meadow, wilderness tours and animal watching for adventurous people!
