Brzezówka

Brzezówka is a locality in Poland, situated in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, within Kolbuszowa County. Currently, it functions as a hamlet of the village of Domatków. The history of Brzezówka dates back to the 16th century when it was an independent settlement in the Sandomierz Forest, then known as Wola Smarkulowska, and later as Smarkulów. In the 18th century, it began to be called Brzozówka, a name derived from the birch forests that grew in the area. In modern times, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries, Brzezówka was one of the few manorial villages in the Kolbuszowa region, forming part of the Potocki family estate. The site featured a wooden manor, a farmstead, and granaries. After various administrative changes, from 1867 to 1933, Brzezówka operated as an independent commune, and after 1934, it became part of a collective commune. In 1967, it lost its status as a village and was reclassified as a hamlet. Interestingly, in 2018, the residents of Brzezówka petitioned for the restoration of its village status. Culturally, Brzezówka is known for the Museum of Folk Culture, which houses over 80 examples of wooden architecture, including windmills and a watermill. The open-air museum hosts exhibitions depicting the lives of the Lasowiacy and Rzeszowiacy ethnic groups. Additionally, in 2018, a private tourist complex called "Brzezóvka" was established, featuring parks and a playground, with its main attraction being its proximity to the museum. Architecturally, Brzezówka is home to a brick chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and a historic church dedicated to St. Mark the Evangelist, which was relocated from Rzochów. Nine businesses are registered in the locality, reflecting its economic activity. Brzezówka stands out not only for its rich history but also for its dynamic development in tourism and local culture, making it an important point on the regional map.