Leszyce

Leszyce is a village located in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, within the administrative district of Nowa Wieś Wielka, forming part of the Bydgoszcz Forest. Between 1950 and 1998, the village belonged to the Bydgoszcz Voivodeship. According to data from 2011, the village had 80 inhabitants, making it the fourteenth largest settlement in the municipality. Leszyce covers an area with diverse topography, featuring woodlands, meadows, and peat bogs, along with arable land and charming natural surroundings. The local economy was primarily based on agricultural activity, and in 2010, four business entities were recorded, all operated by individuals. The village is home to a disused Evangelical cemetery and a forestry unit that is part of the Solec Kujawski Forest District. The history of Leszyce dates back to the 17th century when the settlement was inhabited by tar makers. Over the following years, the village grew in population, and its name was Germanized to Leschütz. After World War I, in 1920, Leszyce became part of the reborn Polish state, and until 1934, it constituted a rural municipality. During the interwar period, the majority of the inhabitants were of German descent. Throughout World War II, the village was part of the German-administered municipality of Nowa Wieś Wielka. After the war, Leszyce underwent various administrative changes, and its history reflects the complex cultural and national ties in the region. In 1978, the village's administrative unit (sołectwo) was abolished but reestablished in 1981. Surrounded by forests and rich nature, Leszyce serves as an example of a locality where diverse cultural and historical influences intertwine, while local traditions and community ties are preserved.