Old Zatom

Zatom Stary, formerly known as Stary Zatom, is a village located in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, in the Międzychód County, on the Warta River. The history of the settlement dates back to the 14th century, with the first records from 1388. The village was associated with many owners, including Mikołaj Zatomski and Andrzej Słomowski. Over the centuries, Zatom Stary went through various phases of belonging to Poland and Prussia, and was also the site of historical events, including battles during the Greater Poland Uprising of 1919. In the 19th century, the village had a manorial character, but after the partitions and political changes, peasants became its owners. During the partitions, especially during the Kulturkampf, the village was subjected to repression, and its inhabitants fought to preserve their Polish identity. In Zatom Stary, the Church of St. Maximilian Kolbe was built, and the first mass was held outdoors in 1985. Architecturally, the village retains a traditional rural character, with houses and buildings from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. There is also a statue of the Virgin Mary on the village grounds, symbolizing the spiritual heritage of the inhabitants. The modern era of Zatom Stary is associated with the discovery of natural resources, as drilling for oil began in 2006. The village maintains transportation links, with provincial road no. 182 and a disused railway line. An interesting aspect is the activity of local communities, with organizations bringing together former insurgents, as well as the cultivation of traditions related to religion and history. Despite its modest size, Zatom Stary is an example of the rich cultural and historical heritage of the region.