The Podlasie Museum of Folk Culture in Wasilkow is a true ethnographic pearl of the region, where the past comes to life among wooden huts and windmills. This vast open-air museum covers an area of more than 30 hectares, presenting authentic buildings relocated from various corners of Podlasie. Walking among the homesteads, one can literally travel back in time to the 19th and early 20th centuries. Particularly valuable is a livestock building from Bryk, dating from around 1900, and a similar structure from Karczmisk, dating from 1925 - both are excellent examples of traditional rural construction in the region.

The museum is famous for hosting unique seasonal events. One of the most fascinating is the annual sprinkling and Easter egg-making show, which takes place before Easter. According to local legends, Easter eggs had the magical power to ward off evil spirits and ensure fertility. Residents of Podlasie believed that burying an Easter egg under the threshold of a house protects against misfortunes, and throwing the shells into a river ensures a bountiful harvest. These beliefs have survived in the form of workshops where you can learn traditional techniques for decorating Easter eggs.

Also of interest is an exhibition of photographs by Włodzimierz Puchalski, an outstanding naturalist and photographer, who immortalized in his pictures not only nature, but also ethnographic aspects of life in Podlasie. His works are a priceless testimony to a culture that is slowly fading into oblivion.

The Podlasie Museum in Bialystok, on the other hand, located in the historic town hall on Kosciuszko Square, is the region's central museum institution. The building is a monument in its own right - it dates back to the 18th century and was built in the late Baroque style with classical elements. According to local accounts, during the construction of the town hall a silver coin was embedded in its foundations, which was supposed to bring prosperity to the city. The museum displays a rich collection of archaeological, ethnographic and ancient and contemporary art related to the region.

A unique exhibit is a collection of silverware from the 17th and 18th centuries, including the famous shoemakers' guild cup from 1672, decorated with intricate engravings depicting scenes from the lives of craftsmen. The museum is also associated with the legend of the ghost of the former mayor, who is said to appear on nights of the full moon, checking to see if the city is being well run. The permanent exhibition takes a closer look at the history of the city and the region from the earliest times to the present day, showing the multicultural character of Podlasie, where different nationalities, religions and traditions coexisted for centuries.

The Icon Museum in Suprasl, which is a branch of the Podlaskie Museum, is located in the historic building of the former Palace of the Archimandrite at the Suprasl Monastery. It is a place with a unique atmosphere, where the history of Orthodoxy in Podlasie is intertwined with the mystical beauty of iconography. The collection numbers more than 1,200 icons, making it one of the richest in Poland. The oldest exhibits date back to the 16th century and represent different schools of icon writing - from Novgorod to Moscow.

Among the most valuable objects is the icon of Our Lady of Supraska from the 17th century, surrounded by local veneration. According to legend, this icon saved the monastery from destruction during the Swedish Deluge, when the invaders, having seen the radiance beaming from it, abandoned the siege. Another unique exhibit is the icon of Christ Pantocrator from the 16th century, which survived the church fire in 1944 - locals believe it has miraculous protective properties.

The museum also offers an icon-writing workshop, where you can learn the traditional techniques and symbolism of this sacred craft. The process of creating an icon is surrounded by a spiritual aura - according to tradition, the icon-writer should purify himself through fasting and prayer before starting work, and the pigments themselves are often prepared from natural ingredients according to recipes passed down from generation to generation.

A completely different dimension of Podlasie history is presented by the Museum of the Memory of Siberia in Bialystok, opened in 2021. It is a modern facility dedicated to the tragic fate of Poles and other nationalities deported to Siberia. The museum is located in former military warehouses on Węglowa Street, from where transports with deportees departed during World War II - a symbolic memorial site turned exhibition space.

The permanent exhibition occupies more than 2,000 sq. m. and takes visitors through the dramatic stages of the deportations - from the tsarist to the Soviet era. Especially moving are the authentic accounts of witnesses, presented in the form of audio and video recordings. One of the most poignant exhibits is the original deportation wagon used to transport people to the East. Visitors can step inside it and for a moment feel the conditions under which the deportees traveled.

The museum also preserves personal mementos of the Siberians - letters written on birch bark, makeshift calendars made from pieces of cloth on which prisoners marked the passing days, or handmade rosaries made from bread. Each of these items tells a personal story of suffering and hope. According to survivors' memoirs, it was faith and small objects that reminded them of home that allowed them to survive the hardest times in exile.

The Historical Museum, another branch of the Podlaskie Museum, is located in a historic building on Warszawska Street. The exhibition focuses on the history of Bialystok from the granting of city rights in 1692 to the present day. Of particular interest is an exhibition devoted to the multicultural character of the city, where Poles, Jews, Belarusians, Russians, Germans and Tartars coexisted for centuries. Unique photographs of pre-war Bialystok have been preserved, including the now-defunct Great Synagogue, which was one of the largest in Europe.

The Branicki Palace, often referred to as the 'Versailles of the North,' is one of the finest Baroque monuments in Poland and home to a museum exhibition. The history of this place dates back to the 16th century, when the Wiesiołowskis family erected the first residence here. However, it was during the reign of Jan Klemens Branicki, Grand Hetman of the Crown, that the palace experienced its period of greatest splendor. According to legends, Branicki was so proud of his residence that he had special medals minted with its image, which he distributed to foreign guests.

The palace's interiors hide many treasures, including preserved original decorative elements from the 18th century. Particularly impressive is the Aula Magna with a plafond depicting the apotheosis of the Branicki family, and the Ballroom with crystal mirrors. A curiosity is the hidden system of mirrors in some rooms, which allowed the hosts to discreetly observe the guests - a kind of security system of the time.

There is a legend connected with the palace about the hidden treasure of the Branicki family. Supposedly, during the Napoleonic wars, Hetmaness Izabela Branicka had some of the family valuables walled up in the cellars, and the workers doing the work were then sent to the front, from where they never returned. To this day, stories circulate about treasure hunters trying to find the legendary fortune at night.

The palace gardens, reconstructed according to 18th-century plans, are an example of French garden art. Particularly charming are the Eagle Pavilion and the Baroque fountains. According to local tradition, throwing a coin into the main fountain ensures a return to Bialystok.

It is worth noting how Podlasie's museums are evolving, combining tradition with modernity. The Podlasie Museum of Folk Culture regularly enriches its offerings with interactive workshops where visitors can learn traditional crafts - from weaving to cheese making. The Sibir Memorial Museum uses state-of-the-art multimedia technology to tell the tragic story of the deportations in a way that engages younger generations.

When comparing the offerings of Podlasie museums, it is worth noting their thematic and price diversity. The Podlasie Museum of Folk Culture offers extensive open-air museum space and numerous seasonal events at an affordable price, making it ideal for families with children. The Icon Museum in Suprasl, though smaller, provides a deep spiritual experience and the opportunity to participate in icon-writing workshops - the prices are moderate and the atmosphere of the place priceless. The Siberian Memorial Museum, as a state-of-the-art facility, offers a multimedia experience at a slightly higher price, but commensurate with the quality of the exhibits.

In terms of accessibility, the museums in Bialystok are easily accessible, while Suprasl or Wasilkow must be reached from the city center. However, this is compensated for by the unique qualities of these places - silence, proximity to nature and an authentic atmosphere.

Podlasie's museums also differ in terms of the time needed for a visit. The open-air museum in Wasilkow requires at least half a day to fully appreciate the extensive outdoor exhibition. The Icon Museum can be visited in 1-2 hours, but true lovers of sacred art spend much more time there, contemplating the mystical beauty of the exhibits. The Siberian Memorial Museum, due to the emotional weight of the exhibit, is best visited unhurriedly, taking about 3 hours for the full experience.

Regardless of the route chosen, the Podlasie cultural marathon is a journey through the fascinating history of the region, where tradition is intertwined with modernity, and multiculturalism is the greatest wealth. Each museum tells a different part of the same story - the history of Podlasie, a region at the crossroads of cultures, religions and nations.