Grabowiec

Grabowiec is a settlement located in the Lublin Voivodeship, in the Zamość County, known for its rich history dating back to the 12th century and its architectural monuments. Formerly a town and the capital of Grabowiec County, Grabowiec was an important craft center and received town rights before 1418. The settlement was the site of sessions of the castle and land courts and also had an Orthodox parish in the 14th century, which converted to Catholicism after the Union of Brest. Grabowiec was destroyed several times by Tatar invasions and during the wars of the 17th century, and in 1870 it lost its town rights. Despite its turbulent history, the settlement remains the seat of the Grabowiec Commune, where the Roman Catholic parish of St. Nicholas is located. An interesting fact is that Grabowiec was the site of the murder of 59 Polish soldiers, referred to as the "Little Katyn." An important element of the local culture is sports, represented by the "Victoria" and "Pawex" Sports Clubs, as well as two school complexes, including one named after Henryk Sienkiewicz. In the architectural sphere, the following stand out: the parish church from 1854–1855, the bell tower from 1855, and a building from 1898 that served various administrative functions. Castle Hill, where the castle of the starosts once stood, is a place with a rich past where important historical events took place. It is also worth mentioning residents associated with Grabowiec, such as Polish journalist Zbigniew Plesner, who was awarded for his achievements. Grabowiec, with its rich history and inherited culture, remains a valuable place in the Polish historical landscape.