Piotrówka

Piotrówka, known in German as Petersgrätz, is a village in the Opole Voivodeship, within the municipality of Jemielnica, founded in 1832 by the Czech pastor Piotr Sikora. The village was established as a result of Frederician colonization, and its name pays homage to Sikora, who fought for the settlement of his co-religionists in the region. The first years of settlement were difficult, with residents struggling to clear forests and build houses. In 1841, the first school was established, where instruction was initially in Czech and later in German. A spicy element of Piotrówka's history is the 1921 plebiscite, during which the inhabitants mostly voted in favor of Germany, reflecting their cultural identity despite their Czech roots. After World War II, the village underwent significant demographic changes. It was severely affected by wartime losses, and many families were resettled. Modern-day Piotrówka is a place with a multicultural community that still cultivates local traditions. Among its religious buildings are a Catholic church and a decommissioned Evangelical church, which was adapted for Catholic use after the war. Many people from Piotrówka find employment in local businesses as well as abroad. The village has numerous public facilities, such as a school, kindergarten, shop, and library. Interestingly, despite its difficult history, Piotrówka has become a place where different cultures and traditions coexist and intertwine during local events.