Hodyszewo

Hodyszewo is a village located in the Podlaskie Voivodeship, in the Wysokie Mazowieckie County, situated 12 kilometers from Brańsk. Its history dates back to at least 1529, when it was inhabited by Ruthenian people of Orthodox faith. The name of the locality derives from the Belarusian given name Hodysz. In the 18th century, Hodyszewo was a privileged settlement, and in 1750, August III Sas confirmed the rights of the local elites, who held the privilege to brew beer and distill spirits. In the 19th century, a school existed here, and at the beginning of the 20th century, a public elementary school was established, which operated until 2003. In terms of architecture, the Roman Catholic Sanctuary of Our Lady of Reconciliation stands out, housing a miraculous 17th-century icon, as well as a parish church from the 1930s. Hodyszewo is a pilgrimage site, particularly for participants of the Łapy and Zambrów Pilgrimages on Foot. The modern village has around 143 inhabitants and organizes the Hodyszewo Middle School Students' Days. Among its historic monuments are a chapel at a spring dating back to 1884, two wooden houses, and Roman Catholic cemeteries, all testifying to the village's rich history and cultural heritage.