Great Oak Forest

Dąbrowa Wielka is a village located in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, in the Bydgoszcz County, within the administrative district of Nowa Wieś Wielka. It boasts a rich history and natural surroundings. It is distinguished by its historic parish church dedicated to Our Lady Queen of Poland, built in 1876, which before 1945 served as an Evangelical church. In the village, one can also see remnants of former German settlers' homesteads. Dąbrowa Wielka has a rural character and is situated on the southern edge of the Bydgoszcz Forest, which gives it a picturesque landscape. Its area features diverse land types—from meadows and pastures to forests, including pine woods. It is worth mentioning that Dąbrowa Wielka was a settlement site for Olędrzy (Dutch settlers), which influenced its development in the 18th century. A significant moment in the village's history was the restoration of Polish identity after World War I, when the locality found itself within the borders of reborn Poland and its name was changed to Dąbrowa Wielka. After 1945, there was a change in the social structure when abandoned German farms were handed over to Poles. Dąbrowa is also characterized by interesting historical traces, such as disused Evangelical cemeteries and remnants of a labor camp from World War II. The village's culture was for many years influenced by the German community, which was reflected in the language and traditions, but political changes after the war brought new challenges and transformations. Today, the residents of Dąbrowa Wielka face a declining population and limited economic development, yet the village still retains its local character and traditions.