Nowy Browiniec

Nowy Browiniec, formerly known as Deutsch Probnitz, is a village located in the Opole Voivodeship, within Prudnik County, near the border with the Czech Republic. Historically situated in Upper Silesia, it lies in the valley of the Browiniecki Stream and is part of the Euroregion Pradziad. The village enjoys a moderately warm climate, with an average annual temperature of around 8.1°C and average annual precipitation of approximately 628 mm. The name Browiniec likely derives from a Proto-Slavic word meaning "cattle," and the settlement was first mentioned in historical records in 1379. Its most significant landmark is the Parish Church of All Saints, constructed between 1845 and 1848. Other notable heritage sites include several chapels and a 19th-century granary. New Browiniec has a rich history, including its destruction by the Hussites in 1428 and its participation in the 1921 Upper Silesia plebiscite, in which the vast majority of residents voted to remain part of Germany. After World War II, the village came under Polish administration, and its inhabitants, including the German minority, were included in a program for the recognition of Polish citizenship. Culturally, the village is home to speakers of the Prudnik dialect, and the local community maintains traditions tied to the region's history and customs. New Browiniec has a volunteer fire department and a kindergarten, and is supported by the national road No. 40. Although it has lost its elementary schools, efforts are underway to preserve local traditions and develop transportation and cultural activities. An interesting historical anecdote involves General Georg Koßmala, who died near the village and was buried there. Thanks to its rich history and architectural heritage, New Browiniec is a notable point of interest in the region, attracting tourists interested in the cultural and historical legacy of Upper Silesia.