Commune of Strzeleczki

Location: in the west part of the Poviat of Krapkowice, in the river-basin of the Biała and Osobłoga Rivers; on the rout No. 409 Strzelce Opolskie-Prudnik.
It borders the communes of: Krapkowice, Głogówek, Biała and Prószków.
Administrative composition:13 villages with 6 with hamlets: Strzeleczki, Dobra with the hamlet of Nowy Bud, Łowkowice, Komorniki with the hamlet of Nowy Młyn, Pisarzowice with the hamlet of Buława (Pulów), Wawrzyńcowice, Kujawy, Zielina, Moszna with the hamlet of Urszulanowice, Ścigów with the hamlet of Kopalina, Racławiczki, Dziedzice and Smolarnia with the hamlet of Serwitut (Skarszów).
Area of the commune: 117 kms2, whereof 1/3 covers forests.
Number of inhabitants: 8 020 persons.
Density of population: c.a. 69 persons per 1 km2.

It is worth seeing and to visiting...

   «•»  Village of Dobra with the hamlet of Nowy Bud
Going from Krapkowice to Prudnik, we pass Steblów and we will enter the village of Dobra, the former knight’s seat. It was mentioned for the first time in 1258, and afterwards in 1302 as tithing to the Cistercians from Jemielnica. Its name is connected with fertile soil - good earth. From the main road, we turn right. On the left hand side we can see a holiday camp, offering hostel places in camping cottages situated by a pond. Soon, you should turn left and go directly to the Neo-Gothic church of Saint John the Baptist, built in 1867 thanks to the countess Olga Seherr-Thoss on a place of an old, wooden one which burnt down earlier. Our attention deserves a tombstone of Kasper Rogowski, an owner of Dobra, died in 1611.It is fixed to the external wall of the church. Going with the main road, it is proper to stop at the one of two Neo-Gothic gateways to the park-palace complex. When we enter the park, we are amazed (especially in spring) at sumptuous stands of azaleas which remained partly on islets of flowing there the Biała river. Worthy of admiration are ruins of the palace, raised in the style of the French baroque in the half of the XVIII century by the count Erdmann Karol von Redern. It owes the present Neo-Gothic shape to the family von Seherr-Thoss who purchased the estate in 1780. Then, in the 2nd half of the XIX century Hermann, a grandson of Leopold Heinrich von Seherr-Thoss rebuilt the castle, giving it the Neo-Gothic style. In hands of one of the greatest landowners on Silesia, the palace stayed until 1945, whenas burnt down and ran into the ruin. Since 2001 it is a private property. At present, it is under restoration. A holiday camp will be placed there, offering services on the high level. Near the palace, there are fragments of rococo sculptures made of stone and the Neo-Gothic tomb- mausoleum of the family Seherr-Thoss from 1882. Also the XVIII century farm buildings are situated by the palace – a backhouse and a granary (rebuilt in the next century) and an extensive landscape park, designed by Gustaw Meyer, the architect of gardens of Berlin in the half of the XIX century. In the park, you can see numerous specimens of the old trees, among other things over 200-year-old common elm, stone pine, plane-tree, white pine, Taxodium distichum (one of 3 stands on Silesia) whether Canada hemlock.

   «•»  Village of Łowkowice
From the main road Strzelce Opolskie-Prudnik (having run a bridge over the river Biała in Dobra, just at the turning at a tower, being an integral part of the palace-park complex) we turn left to the village of Łowkowice, located Under German Law. In the historic sources, it was mentioned already in 1218 as Lofcovici, and then Lowkowitz (1534). The origin of its name is connected with an old Polish name Łowek. Since 1561, it was a property of the family Oppersdorf- Lords of Głogówek.
Entering the village, a small brick- little chapel with a ridge roof welcomes us. Inside, there is a picture of Immaculate Heart of Mary and a figure of God’s Mother of Lourdes. According to a local legend, the little chapel was put on a place, where an angel dropped a stone, moving it at night from Łowkowice to Komorniki, to build a new church there. We get to the crossing, close by which we pass a monument to the honor of killed inhabitants during both world wars. Going straight, we meet a chapel- belfry from 1615, rebuilt in the 2nd half of the XIX century. Among numerous figures, Saint Anthony distinguishes itself. Also the wayside- wooden cross remained, with a sculpture of Christ Crucified and with the bas-relief of Holy Mary Virgin. At the way to Pisarzowice, it is proper to stop at an antique, restored (1994) windmill of the Dutch type from 1868, adapted onto the cafe. We could find there a little coolness during hot summer, because the thickness of walls of this former mill reaches 2 m. From there, we go straight, on the way we pass a cross topped with a little roof, with a picture of God’s Mother Of Częstochowa and a pistillary little chapel with a small picture of St. Izydor. Then we move with a cherry avenue toward Strzeleczki. During our tramp, we stumble across the XIX century little chapel of Holy Trinity, brick-one, semicircle closed and inside- a picture of Only One God in Trinity. Then we turn left and we move along railway tracks. At the nearest road junction, just before Strzeleczki, we pass a little chapel of St. Urban to which believers come with an imploring procession for harvests every year on 25th May.

   «•»  Village of Komorniki with the hamlet of Nowy Młyn
Going with a way along the Osobłoga River, on a road junction at an exit from Łowkowice, you should turn right, pass a bridge over the river and enter the village of Komorniki. For the first time it was mentioned in 1245 as Comornici. Its name descends from a word komornicy, i.e. the menial population, connected with exaction of stamp and judicial duties.
Just behind the bridge, we turn left and soon we turn right to the Szkolna Street , we pass an old school (at present a house of teacher) and we enter the Neo-Gothic church of Visitation of Holy Mother Virgin from 1888, probably third one in turn; raised on a place of an old one, menacing with its collapse. Stations of the Cross Way were moved there from the previous temple. From the church, we come back down to the main road. Opposite, it is proper to see an old mill from the end of the XIX century and built close by - by its owner - a little chapel of God’s Mother. Going towards Głogówek, leaving the village- there is another baroque- little chapel of St. Urban, from the end of the XVIII century.

   «•»  Village of Pisarzowice with the hamlet of Buława ( Pulów )
Going with a field-way to Pisarzowice, near Osobłoga we can see so-called Amerykan - a property of the countesses von Oppersdorf from Głogówek. It consisted of: granaries, flat building, cow-sheds, stables and a mill built at the beginning of the XIX century. After the World War II some objects were used until the 60s of the last century as stores of Silesian Leather- Industry Factory in Krapkowice-Otmęt. Afterwards, they ran into the ruin, while the name Amerykan was changed on maps of Silesia to Chmielnik. Protected plants are natural curiosity of that place: snowdrop, lily-of-the-valley and alder buckthorn.
Then we enter Pisarzowice - one of the oldest villages in the commune which was recorded for the first time in Latin in 1301 as Villa Scriptoris, what means the village of the writer. In years 1285-1313 the settlement belonged to the prince Bolesław Opolski and until 1428 to the famous cloister of Cistercians in Lubiąż. In the village, there is the late-Baroque storeyed palace, originating from the half of the XVIII century with the spacious grange yard, surrounded at three sides with farm buildings , the former property of the family von Oppersdorf.. At present (i.e. since 2001) it is a private property and it is under renovation. However, the most interesting monument of Pisarzowice is the church of St. Michael Archangel the beginnings of which reach the end of the XIII century (then the church of Holy Trinity). There are following movable ancient monuments in the temple, built in the early- gothic style, enriched with Renaissance and baroque elements: the Gothic-Renaissance crucifix from the first half of the XVI century, baroque- monstrance and late-Renaissance tombstone with the bas-relief of Michał Lesota, a chancellor of the Opolskie- Raciborskie princedom, the owner of Pisarzowice in years 1561-1580.

   «•»  Communal village of Strzeleczki
Strzeleczki are located on the old trade route Strzelce Opolskie-Prudnik. You can also get there from Krapkowice, Głogówek, Racławiczki and Biała. First mentions about the village appeared in 1327 - Strelicz and in 1531 - Parva Streletz. The name of the locality descends from Strzelców (riflemen), that is to say prince hunters, using arcs and arrows. This primaeval trade settlement could be proud of 400-hundred-year municipal tradition - municipal rights were granted under the Opolskie prince Wladyslaw I (1246-1281), and were taken back during Prussian times (in 1750) . After 1327, Strzeleczki became the Czech fief, in 1526 it got under the Austrian rule, in turn into 1742 - annexed to Prussia. During war- storms in following centuries, it went to rack and ruin, many times suffered also from fires.
In the picture of municipal seals of Strzeleczki from the XVII century which remained until today, we can find the coat of arms of the contemporary town. It has in the emblem the tree with roots stylized heraldically, pierced obliquely with an arrow. From each side of the trunk, there is one star, proving the wealth of the contemporary region. Emblems on seals also refer in their motives to the legend on the beginning of Strzeleczki. The municipal chronicle indicates the following version of that event:
During hunting one of Opolskie princes hunted in the forest for wounded stag. Suddenly, furious animal unexpectedly attacked him. However, at the right moment a hunting-man appeared and after his Lord shout: „shoot”, with one accurate shot he overthrew the aggressor. The prince, grateful for his life rescue, granted the savior with a part of its own forest. He built there a house and called it Shoot, to commemorate that unusual event.
In the center of the village, you should turn right on the crossing and enter the late-baroque church of St. Martin, raised in the second half of the XVIII century. Being in the middle of the temple, it is easy to notice the bottom storey of a tower of the preceding late-Gothic church, mentioned already in 1394. From there, we move towards the town-square, whereon there is a fountain and an antique figure of Saint John Nepomucen on a plinth. Once, weekly and yearly trade fair took place there. Inhabitants dealt not only with trade, but also with agriculture and craft (e.g. pottery, baking, smithery, cooperage or tailoring). The railway line Gogolin-Krapkowice-Strzeleczki-Biała-Prudnik, built in 1896 was also of important meaning, working almost over 100 years. It is also proper to look at the nearby cemetery, situated at the exit from the village toward Krapkowice. There is the Neo-Gothic church of Saint Crux Rising originating from the XIX century. Also a building of the parsonage is an interesting ancient monument of that place, proceeding from first half of the XIX century, as well as ruins of a brick- windmill, situated on left hand side, c.a. 200 m from the main road, going toward Prudnik, in the nearness of buildings at the ends of the village. Also a column little chapel originates from the XIX century, inside of which there is the folk Gothic sculpture of Worried Christ. The true mine of information on everyday life and former occupations of inhabitants of the village are museum- collection of Mr. Franciszek Kruk at Prudnicka Street who gathered in his own home many objects, being the rich certificate of tradition and culture of the local population.

   «•»  Village of Ścigów with the hamlet of Kopalina
Leaving the town-square in Strzeleczki toward Racławiczki, we pass the village of Ścigów, mentioned already in 1531 as Sygow prope Castrum. In 1534 the name Scigow appeared. It originates from the personal name Ścig or the verb Ścigać (to pursue). The rising of the hamlet of Kopalina was probably connected with disforestation and stumping of forests in the turn of the XVIII and XIX centuries. At the way we can see a cross, and in the village - the XIX century belfry and two little chapels (one of them- of Saint John).



   «•»  Village of Racławiczki
We go with the main road to Racławiczki, mentioned for the first time in 1383 as Polonicalis Rastlowitz. The diminutive form was introduced after the World War II, probably to make distinction from Polskie Racławice, the name of the village from 1845.
Antique objects of the locality: originating from the beginning of the XIX century the church of St. Mary Magdalene- first information originate from 1443 and the XIX century parsonage. The precious movable ancient monuments in the temple: the XVIII century picture of God’s Mother with Bambino, a bell from 1618, the XIX century altar, a font and an ambo. Opposite the temple, there is a monument worshipping inhabitants of the locality killed in both wars.

   «•»  Village of Dziedzice
Going from Racławiczki toward Opole, we pass the village of Dziedzice. The first record of the name of the settlement originates from 1531 and sounds Didzitze. Its etymology descends from the personal name Dziad (Grandfather). Having passed the sumptuous monument dedicated to victims of both world wars, we get to the chapel- belfry of Saint John Nepomucen from the end of the XIX century. Almost 1,5 m- tall, the wooden figure of the saint is accompanied by smaller ones of: St. Anna and St. Roch especially adored in this part of Silesia.

   «•»  Village of Smolarnia with the hamlet of Serwitut ( Skarszów)
Going with the main road toward Opole, we get to the village of Smolarnia. Its toponym descends from the place of manufacturing of wood tar. The beginnings of the settlement originate from the XVIII century. An antique little chapel - belfry of St. Frances Borgiasz from the XIX century is worth seeing.
From there, we go to the hamlet of Serwitut. Behind the hamlet we enter a field- way and we move along the forest. Soon we turn into the first way left and we get to the forest- chalet Hubertus, erected according to Finnish technology. It is the starting point of hunters associated with the Polish Hunting Circle. Its name descends from St. Hubert - a patron of hunters.

   «•»  Village of Moszna with the hamlet of Urszulanowice
Behind Racławiczki, we pass over 4 bridges: first one over the Stream Rzymkowicki, afterwards over the Biała River and over two drainage- ditches. In the half of the rout we will stumble across a little chapel of God’s Painful Mother. It was raised at the place of death of a man who returning on foot from Pisarzowice- got drowned. At present we can see inside a figure of Pieta and a picture of God’s Mother of Częstochowa. The similar figure is placed in the funeral chapel of St. Barbara in Kujawy. Behind the little chapel we turn right to Popowiec, we cross a bridge and soon we get to the main road, leading to Moszna. You can also get there from Krapkowice through Kujawy - Zielina or going from Smolarnia toward Prudnik. The first mention about Moszna, the village located under German law, appeared only in 1687 and sounded Moschna. The name surely originates from a word moszna, i.e. bag, which topographically means depression, valley, though you can not exclude also the origin from a word mech (moss), moist ground grown with moss.
No doubts, the tourist attraction of the locality is the palace- park complex which its own splendor owes to many years'- owners of these properties (in years 1866-1945) - to the family Tiele-Winckler. Preceding „Lords” were the families: Skall (XVII century), Reiswitz, Beyern, Seherr-Thoss and the baron Heinrich von Erdmannsdorf (since 1864). Reconstruction of the baroque- palace after the fire in 1896 started Franz Hubert Tiele-Winckler. Thanks to his efforts, eastern, representative wing in the Neo-Gothic style was built. Its interior contains: former „ room of Lord” - today’s library, 2-storyied room, called „picture gallery” with glazed ceiling (its former decoration we can see only on photos from the beginning of the XX century). In this part of the castle there also is a chapel, serving once as a place for prying, and today as a concert hall.
Twice: in 1911 and 1912 the palace housed the German emperor Wilhelm II. In his honor, Franz Tiele-Winckler organized hunting during which the ruler conquered best trophies.
Reconstruction of the palace was probably continued after 1912. Then the western wing was added, 4-storeyied in the Neo-Renaissance style. The rooms served first of all as guest chambers. Among them, attention deserve: chambers - „white” and „black” and hunter’s- room , today intended for organization of conference and seminars. Tourists can also visit the former dining-room, richly adorned with stuccoes with mythological scenes, and to admire exotic specimens of plants in the palm house. Since 1972, the Neuroses Therapy Centre is situated in the palace, dealing with treatment and prophylaxis of present civilization diseases. The palace in Moszna is also a place, where numerous concerts happen, popularizing compositions of Polish and German composers performed by the artists of world fame. The most popular is the cycle of concerts within the framework of Holiday of Flourishing Azaleas.

The palace is surrounded by an antique 100-hectare park designed in the Dutch and French styles. It is a part of the landscape park with precious old trees and with rare concentrations of rhododendrons and azaleas. Most willingly visited place in the park (especially by bridegrooms) is an islet situated on a lake, called by contemporary owners of Moszna Easter Island, and today Island of Love. A channel remained in the park surrounded by 2000-year-old linden avenue, called emperor’s avenue. A marble- obelisk crowns it, the former basement of a monument of Hubert von Tiele-Winckler - an ancestor of the noble family. Near, on the bosky hill surrounded by splendid shrubs of azalea, there is a cemetery which until the World War II was an ancestral necropolis. You can get there with by-path, along the forest, surrounding a meadow, a path and a bridge, leading to stone staircase. We can also admire the beauty of: four-rowed, approximately 120-year-old Chestnut Avenue and six-rowed, approximately 100-year-old oak avenue, called the Jelka avenue (Croatian countess – a wife of Franz Hubert). On the area of the park there are as much as 14 monuments of nature, whereof 12 are over 300- year-old petiole oaks , and 2 are over hundred- year- old white pines. Attention of tourist is attracted by two gateways. One - with magnificent lions on pedestals, second - with figures of fighting gladiators made of bronze.
In 1948, a horse stable was founded in the former homestead of the palace, dealing from the beginning of its own existence with farming of saddle-horses of full English blood, and since 1961 - farming of refined half-blooded horses. At present the Horse Stable Moszna Company Ltd. is a private property. You can learn horsemanship there and it offers rides by britzka around the region. Yearly, it organizes horse riding contest. Besides, the Centre of Game Farming of Polish Hunting Association is situated in Moszna which deals with farming of pheasants and organizes hunting.

   «•»  Village of Wawrzyńcowice
To the village, noted in 1679 as Wawrzinowic, we get with a forest- cycle rout from Mosznej through the hamlet of Urszulanowice (close by pheasantry), turning left behind the forestry office of Moszna through Czartowice, Golszowice and Sysłów. The toponym descends from the name Wawrzyniec (Latin: Laurentius). The village came into being as farm settlement placed on cutover forests. A farm of the Horse Stable in Moszna Co Ltd is situated on its area.

   «•»  Village of Kujawy
From Wawrzyńcowice we go with a way leading from Głogówek to Kujawy. The first mention about the village originates from 1383, whenas its name sounded: Koya. The name of the village Kuyawy appeared only in 1531. It descends from the word kuya, meaning strong wind or the sandy dune, a kind of barren soil, badland.
The most precious monument in the village is a parish church of Holy Trinity from 1583, raised by a foundation of an owner of local properties - Balthazar Pückler. The temple was built of plastered stone in the Renaissance- style. At church, it is proper to see the Renaissance- polychromy in the presbytery, and in the new part: the XVI-century ambo, a picture of Holy Trinity by Frances Sebastini from Głogówek, the baroque- processional crucifix , two antique monstrance and chalices. Since 1679, at the parish the brotherhood of St. Barbara worked, instituted by the pope Innocent XI and the parish-priest Adam Boczek. Because of that, an antique book of the brotherhood containing names of inhabitants of the parish and Silesia is kept in the parish, written down in three languages: Polish, Latin and German. Our attention also deserves a Skansen museum situated on the area of the parsonage, wherein many useful objects and agricultural tools from the XIX and XX centuries are gathered. Opposite the church there is the palace – park complex from 1888 rebuilt on the turn of the XIX and XX centuries, being since 1908 a seat of the management of Upper Silesia mining—metallurgic company of the family Tiele-Winckler. At present it is a private property. Going towards Strzeleczki, at the estate No. 59 we can see a little chapel with a small altar and a picture of Last Supper. Farther, we pass another chapel with a figure of Jesus, and behind the village, in the open country- the wayside- little chapel of St. Mark.

   «•»  Village of Zielina
A locality bordering Kujawy is Zielina. We get there, going with the main road to Moszna. Etymology of the name of the village is not well-known. Possibly, it descends from a word ziele (herb), herbaceous plants. The first record Zellin appeared in 1743.
When the family Tiele-Winckler from Miechowice near Bytom purchased Moszna in 1863 and neighboring goods, development of Zielina followed. Thanks to Franz Hubert numerous buildings were built in the village which stay until today. They are situated along the main road; because of that going to Prudnik we can admire architecture of the following objects: post-office, health service centre, school, and also flat buildings and homestead. In that complex of public utility, the Elizabethan sisters, brought to Zielina in 1907 by the countess Jelka von Tiele-Winckler, run the school for children of workers of the count and cared about the ill persons.