Chotyniec

Chotyniec is a village located in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, in Jarosław County, famous for its wooden Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The history of Chotyniec dates back to the 15th century, with evidence of earlier settlements in the area. Nearby, there is a fortified settlement site, the remains of which testify to an early medieval community. Administratively, the village belonged to the Przemyśl Land in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and was part of the royal domain. In the 17th century, Chotyniec became a battleground, including a famous clash between Stanisław Stadnicki and Jan Herburt. Repeatedly destroyed by Tatars and Cossacks, the village was quickly rebuilt each time. After the First Partition of Poland in 1772, Chotyniec became part of Austria, and in the 19th century, it expanded with new hamlets. During World War I, the village suffered significant damage from fighting, and after World War II, during Operation "Vistula," most of the Ukrainian population was displaced. Today, Chotyniec is home to two parishes: Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic. The village offers various tourist attractions, including cycling and hiking trails, as well as cultural activities organized by local associations. The football club LKS Agro Chotyniec was also active in the area. Nearby is the ecological site "Dąbrowa," which protects flora typical of riparian forests. Notable figures associated with Chotyniec include Aleksandra Zaprutko-Janicka, a historian and author, and Stanisław "Diabeł" Stadnicki, a famous 17th-century troublemaker. An interesting fact is that the village's history is marked by turmoil from armed conflicts and rapid reconstruction, as well as the enduring influence of diverse cultural and national elements over the centuries.