Tar works

Smolarnia, also known as Pechhütte, is a village in the Opole Voivodeship, located in the municipality of Strzeleczki, historically part of Upper Silesia. The name of the village is associated with the extraction of tar from coniferous trees, dating back to the 18th century. In the 19th century, Smolarnia was a hamlet of Dziedzice, and the Polish name appeared in official documents in 1828. The history of the village is rich, with men working as forest laborers for many years, which is reflected in the numerous land entitlements of the peasants, known as serfdom rights. During World War I, the local community suffered losses, but World War II brought many tragedies, including deportations and displacements of residents. After 1945, Smolarnia was incorporated into the newly established Krapkowice County. The village is characterized by a high percentage of people working in non-agricultural professions, which is typical of suburban areas. Smolarnia holds particular cultural significance, with influences from the German minority and Silesians, as well as the preservation of the regional Prudnik dialect. In the 1950s, Silesian folk songs were collected in Smolarnia, and their recordings were donated to an ethnographic museum. The village has bus connections to many nearby towns, and safety is ensured by the Volunteer Fire Department and the police, with additional support from the Border Guard due to its location in a border zone. An interesting feature is the Prudnik Land Tourist Badge, awarded for visiting local attractions, as well as the activities of local associations that cultivate regional traditions and culture. Surrounded by greenery and forest complexes, Smolarnia remains an important point on the map of Upper Silesia, reflecting its complex history and cultural diversity.