Konwent kamedułów wigierskich i jego oddziaływanie religijne, kulturowe i gospodarcze na obszarze dzisiejszej Suwalszczyzny

Abstract

The hermitage of Wigry Island has not got a full monograph study so far. This article brings new and fundamental arrangements regarding to the Camaldolese monastery in Wigry. It shows the region of present-day Suwalki, before the hermits came. It presents the state of research over the history of hermitages in Wigry. It depicts circumstances of the founding process made by the King John Casimir in 1667, building of the monastery complex in Wigry and the arranging process of the peninsula. It describes the process of everyday life of the hermits, their pastoral care of local population. Camaldolese are presented as pioneers of economic development in the region of Suwalki. It presents their 132 years activity in religious, cultural, social and economical aspect that was stopped by winding up the monastery in the Prussian annexation. This article enrich all knowledge up to now on Camaldolese monastery in Wigry, expands historiographic and pastoral output in the extent of research of history of Suwalki region.