Solec

Solec, also known as Altzülz, is a village in Poland located in the Opole Voivodeship, within Prudnik County, situated in Upper Silesia. Covering an area of 389.9 hectares, the village has an agricultural character, with its main crops being wheat, rapeseed, and sugar beets. The Biała River flows through the village, and its history dates back to 1225 when it was first established. Solec was known for the presence of a Commandery of the Knights Hospitaller, who managed the local parish until their dissolution in 1810. Historically, the village was divided under various administrations, and during the 1921 Upper Silesia plebiscite, the vast majority of its residents voted in favor of Germany. The village features a neo-baroque church of St. John the Baptist from 1904 and a church cemetery, both protected as heritage sites. Solec is also a venue for local cultural events, and the German Circle of Friendship promotes German cultural heritage. The village has monuments commemorating those who fell in both World Wars and attracts tourists with its cycling and hiking trails, including the White Stork Trail and the Historic Churches Trail. Solec is home to a German minority and Silesians, who speak the Prudnik dialect. The village is well-connected to surrounding areas, and its residents benefit from local attractions and educational infrastructure, such as the e-Center.