Ruptawa

Ruptawa, formerly a village and now a district of Jastrzębie-Zdrój, is located in Upper Silesia, within the Rybnik Plateau. The area of the sołectwo (administrative rural district) encompasses the former villages of Ruptawa and Cisówka, connected by an extensive network of hiking and cycling trails that lead to nearby towns and allow visitors to explore the charms of the surrounding nature. The landscape of Ruptawa retains a rural character, with hilly terrain, numerous groves, forests, and ponds. Within the area stands a brick parish church from 1949, part of whose furnishings come from a 17th-century wooden church dedicated to St. Bartholomew. In addition, two Evangelical churches are noteworthy, including one from the 1990s, as well as a historic school building dating back to 1885. Ruptawa also boasts a natural monument—a 400-year-old pedunculate oak. Interestingly, the coat of arms of Ruptawa features a shell with a heart and flowers, referencing the historical seal of the village. The history of Ruptawa dates back to at least 1305, when it was first mentioned in a document by Bishop Henryk of Wierzbno. Over the centuries, the village was under various rulers, including the Habsburgs and Prussia, and after World War II, it was incorporated into Jastrzębie-Zdrój. During the interwar period, a Border Guard outpost was stationed here. Today, with a population of 4,192 as of 2019, Ruptawa remains an important point on the map of Upper Silesia, preserving much of its rich history and traditions. Various religious communities are also present, including the Roman Catholic and Evangelical-Augsburg churches, reflecting the multicultural heritage of the region.