There was a gulag in Great Inta, administered by the NKVD, belonging to the Vorkutstroy camp system. In June 1940, a transport of 800 prisoners - mainly Poles from Minsk - arrived here by barge from Koźwa. They were finishing the construction of the local camp. A few days later, a second transport of about 1,000 people arrived, also predominantly Poles. The prisoners worked at clearing forests, draining swamps, uncovering coal seams and digging shafts. From September 1941, group releases of Poles began. Only a few people returned from exile - the rest died of starvation and exhaustion from the inhumane work. One of the camp's victims was Jozef Dzięgielewski (1891-1941), who died of pneumonia in December 1941. He was buried, like many others imprisoned here, in the camp cemetery.
The cemetery was closed in 1956 in connection with the liquidation of the camp. Today, almost the entire area of the former necropolis is under water. A few metal cemetery crosses and fragments of fences have been preserved on the bank of the reservoir. In 2004, Joseph's son Tadeusz erected a memorial cross on the riverbank in honour of his father, who was buried here. The inscription reads: "Jozef Dzięgielewski b. 21 Dec 1891 d. 20 Dec 1941 Rests in Great Inca. Peace to His Soul".

Compiled by T. Zachara / MKiDN, VI 2025

Teresa Zachara (MKiDN)