Grochowa

Grochowa is a village situated on the southern slopes of the Grochowa-Braszowice Massif, divided into an upper and lower part, with a no-longer-existing workers' settlement from the 1950s associated with the nearby magnesite mine. The village has a rich history of mineral extraction, including magnesite, which has been mined since the mid-19th century. Previously, searches for precious stones and metal ores were conducted, and particularly in the 1880s, the intensification of magnesite mining led to the development of new mines and calcination furnaces. Grochowa also holds historical cultural significance as a village of Slavic origin, with its first mentions dating back to the early 13th century. The locality was associated with various owners, including the Schlabrendorf family, and in the 20th century, it was owned by Count Merveldt. Grochowa is also home to the Swedish Entrenchments – a complex of earth fortifications from the Thirty Years' War, which were used in later conflicts, including the Napoleonic Wars. It is worth emphasizing that the village was the first in the Ząbkowice district to be electrified in the late 19th century thanks to the construction of a hydroelectric power plant. According to the 2011 National Census, Grochowa had 316 inhabitants and is one of the more important localities in the Bardo municipality. Listed in the register of monuments of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship is a complex of earth forts from 1813, testifying to the area's rich military history.