Szczedryk

Szczedrzyk is a village in the Opole Voivodeship, situated on the shores of Lake Turawskie, with a rich history dating back to at least the 14th century, when it was first mentioned as Scedricz. The name derives from the word "szczodry" (generous) and has undergone various changes over the centuries. The village is home to the parish church of St. Nicholas, built in the Neo-Romanesque style at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, with an impressive capacity of 700 seats. It replaced an older wooden church destroyed by fire in 1763. The building features three naves and a 32-meter-high tower. The village also houses the St. Nicholas House, formerly the convent of the Servant Sisters, now serving as the Public Library. Szczedrzyk boasts a vibrant cultural life, with the active sports club KS Szczedrzyk and a volunteer fire department unit integrated into the National Rescue and Firefighting System. Historically, the village was known for cultivating wheat, barley, and oats, as well as for its milling industry, with 52 farmsteads and three mills in the 17th century. An interesting fact is that in 1934, the village was renamed Hitlersee, a name it retained until 1946, when its original name was restored. Szczedrzyk also features a monument honoring residents who fell in both world wars, restored in 1991. Archaeological research has uncovered traces of the late Roman period, including a cremation cemetery. In recent years, Szczedrzyk has gained importance as a local center of culture and education, offering a kindergarten and an elementary school. The village also includes an informal part, Podbory, and has a history where beekeeping and craftsmanship played significant roles.