Harklowa

Harklowa is a picturesque village in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, with a rich history dating back to medieval times when it was established by King Casimir the Great in 1363. The village, formerly known as Hartlowa Wola, was part of the royal estates until the partitions of Poland. Harklowa boasts numerous historical landmarks, including the Parish Church of St. Dorothy, built between 1894 and 1896, and the remains of a manor complex featuring a 17th-century entrance gate and a granary from the first half of the 17th century. Culturally, Harklowa is significant as the seat of a Roman Catholic parish and the birthplace of Aleksandra Dranka, a Polish supercentenarian who lived to be 111 years old. The village was once known for its oil production, which began in 1861, making its mine one of the earliest oil enterprises in the region. Harklowa is also a point on several tourist trails, including the Cross-Border Oil Trail and the Eastern Front Trail of World War I, highlighting its historical importance. In 1977, Harklowa was awarded the Order of the Grunwald Cross, 3rd Class, for its contributions to the fight against Nazi occupation. A monument in the village center commemorates Polish and Soviet partisans from World War II. Today, the architectural and cultural heritage of Harklowa is protected, and the village remains an important destination for tourists and history enthusiasts.