Rytel

Rytel is a village located in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, within the Chojnice County, in the municipality of Czersk, inhabited by the Borowiacy people. With a population of 2,425, the village is situated along National Road No. 22 and is equipped with a primary school, a middle school, a health center, a restaurant, shops, and other local services. As a sołectwo (administrative rural subdivision) of the Czersk municipality, Rytel also includes several nearby settlements and covers an area of 8,754 hectares. The history of Rytel dates back to the Middle Ages, with a notable milestone in 1430 when the Tuchola Komtur, Jost von Hohenkircher, granted Marcin Retel the privilege to operate an inn. The village boasts a rich architectural heritage, including a Neo-Baroque church dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, built between 1909 and 1911, along with a rectory and a cemetery. Between 1842 and 1847, the Great Brda Canal was constructed to irrigate meadows in the region. Economically, Rytel developed through employment in sawmills and local trade. During the interwar period, it was a significant sawmilling center, with one of its sawmills processing large quantities of timber for export. Although the village suffered destruction during World War II, it was quickly rebuilt in the postwar years, expanding its infrastructure and cultural activities. Today, Rytel hosts sections of the local Cultural Center and a football team, Brda Rytel. In 2013, gravestones from the former Evangelical cemetery were removed, and in 2017, the village was struck by a catastrophic windstorm that destroyed many homes and forests. Rytel is a place where rich history meets dynamic modern development, and its architecture and traditions stand as a testament to local culture and historical values.