Rzeszotary

Rzeszotary is a village located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, within the commune of Świątniki Górne, with a rich history dating back to the 11th century. The name of the village derives from sieves, known as "rzeszoty," which the inhabitants supplied to the Kraków castle. The village began to develop from the 12th/13th century as a knightly estate, and until the 19th century, agriculture dominated. The turn of the 20th century brought the development of crafts, and the village split into Rzeszotary Duże (Greater) and Rzeszotary Małe (Lesser). Rzeszotary had a primary school, whose origins date back to before 1884, with new school buildings constructed thanks to local contributions. A significant event in the village's history was the murder of village head Paweł Sikora and other Polish People's Party (PSL) activists in 1946, which was part of the brutal suppression of the party in Poland after World War II. Rzeszotary boasts a monument honoring the victims, serving as a site of historical remembrance. The village architecture features traditional houses and a equestrian center with a Hucul horse stud, as well as a modern school with sports fields and a sports hall. A church was built in the village, erected in the early 1990s, reflecting the continuity of religious traditions. For hundreds of years, Rzeszotary was associated with the parish in Podstolice. Notable residents include Jan Kowalczyk, an astronomer and professor, and Zygmunt Zieliński, a general and close associate of Józef Piłsudski. Modern demographics show dynamic population growth, a result of deurbanization. Rzeszotary has extensive municipal infrastructure, including public transportation to Kraków, which facilitates daily life for residents. Although small, the village has a rich cultural and historical heritage, making it an interesting place not only for residents but also for tourists.