Czapielsk

Czapielsk is a Kashubian village in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, with a history dating back to the Neolithic and Iron Ages. In the Middle Ages, there was a stronghold here, and the first written mention of the settlement comes from 1323. Czapielsk, also known as Królewskie Czapielken, experienced numerous changes in administrative affiliation and belonged to the Gdańsk Voivodeship between 1975 and 1998. The central point of the village is the Roman Catholic Church of St. Nicholas, built in the 18th century. Its architecture combines Baroque elements with a half-timbered structure featuring brick infills, preserving original furnishings, including a painting of St. Nicholas. Nearby lies the "Jar Reknicy" forest reserve. Over the centuries, Czapielsk had many owners, including the Jesuits, who influenced the village's development and local culture. During the Reformation, the church fell into Protestant hands but was later re-Catholicized. The church tower was completed in 1745, and in the 19th century, Czapielsk experienced economic growth, though it repeatedly faced crises, including wars and epidemics. After World War II, the village declined in importance, and its buildings, including the manor, fell into ruin. An interesting fact is that in 1927, the church was under the care of the Ursuline Sisters, who ran a girls' boarding school. Today, the village enjoys environmental protection as part of the "Przywidzki Protected Landscape Area," highlighting its natural values and integrating it into the tourist route of the Szymbarskie Hills.