Strzyżawa

Strzyżawa is a village in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, within the Bydgoszcz County, in the municipality of Dąbrowa Chełmińska. It is situated on the floodplain terrace of the Vistula Valley. Its name refers to the historical role of the settlement as a point guarding traffic on the Vistula River. Strzyżawa boasts a rich historical heritage dating back to the 14th century, when it served as a checkpoint collecting tolls from goods transported along the river. The village was the ancestral seat of the Polish noble family Strzyżewski, and in the 18th century, as part of the Ostromecko estate, it belonged to the Dorpowski family. Strzyżawa witnessed numerous historical events, including armed conflicts. In 1772, it became part of the Kingdom of Prussia, and throughout the 19th century, it underwent significant demographic changes, with its population becoming nationally diverse. Fragments of historical architecture have been preserved in the village, including a disused Evangelical cemetery and the building of a former school. In 1893, the Fordon Bridge was constructed, which at the time was one of the longest in Europe, revitalizing transport and trade. Strzyżawa is located in a picturesque area surrounded by forests and floodplains, forming part of the Chełmiński and Nadwiślański Landscape Park Complex and included in the Natura 2000 network. The village is a point on tourist trails offering hiking and cycling routes in the region, making it an attractive destination for nature and recreation enthusiasts.