Swarm

Rój, one of the districts of Żory, located in the Silesian Voivodeship, is a place with a rich history and advantageous communication links. It lies near the A1 motorway and national road 81, close to larger cities such as Rybnik, Wodzisław Śląski, and Jastrzębie. The terrain is varied, with valleys and hills, surrounded by numerous forests. The history of Rój dates back to the 14th century when it was first mentioned in documents concerning the bishops of Wrocław. Local tradition maintained that the name of the town was related to beekeeping, which led to the creation of coats of arms featuring a beehive and bees. Over the centuries, Rój was under the influence of various authorities, including the Prussians, and in the 19th century, despite its beautiful name "Nowy Raj" (New Paradise), it struggled with security issues related to banditry. After World War I, the Brodek estate was parceled out, enabling the unemployed to acquire land. During World War II, Rój was the scene of tragic events related to the "Death March." Residents witnessed the passage of prisoners from the camps, which ended with the brutal murder of two women. After the war, a monument commemorating the victims was erected, and local communities organize annual commemorations. Rój is a district with single-family housing, numbering around 4,500 residents, and is home to the football club LKS Rój. As an interesting fact, it is worth adding that the name Rój derives from a bee swarm, which was noted by the German teacher Heinrich Adamy in the 19th century.