Chmielek

Chmielek is a village in Poland, located in the Lublin Voivodeship, within Biłgoraj County, in the administrative district of Łukowa. It is situated on the western edge of the municipality, within the Tarnogród Plateau. The village is known for its Roman Catholic parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The history of the settlement dates back to at least 1426, when it appears in historical records as the property of the Chmielecki family. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the village was owned by Chancellor Jan Zamoyski, who in 1601 transferred the estate of Chmielek to the canons of the Collegiate Church in Zamość. From this period also comes information about a wooden manor house from 1682, with a characteristic rectangular shape, which was rebuilt multiple times. At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, Chmielek expanded, and within its boundaries were modern-for-the-time fish ponds. In 1827, the village had 173 houses and 1,198 inhabitants. Interestingly, in the 1920s, Chmielek was excluded from the Zamoyski Entail and underwent land parcelling. The period of World War II brought tragic events, including Nazi crimes such as the shooting of Jews and the burning of farmers accused of aiding partisans. After the war, the lands were transformed into agricultural collectives, and the former manor house was demolished. Today, the village has 1,167 residents and a developed furniture industry, dominated by the Black Red White factory. Chmielek also offers local recreational attractions, such as fishing ponds and the Tanew River, which is popular among those seeking outdoor activities. The spiritual life of the community is supported by various denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church and the presence of Jehovah's Witnesses.