Włóki

Włóki is a sołectwo (village with a soltys) in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, located in the Bydgoszcz County, within the gmina (municipality) of Dobrcz. It is situated over 21 km northeast of Bydgoszcz. The village's name, derived from a unit of measurement for agricultural land area (the *włóka*), references its farming character. The history of Włóki dates back to the 13th century, and the village was once owned by the Koronowo monastery. Settlement in the area was associated with the Włocławek bishopric. Włóki was initially founded under Polish law and later also received German town rights. Preserved documents contain mentions of the locality from the years 1256, 1286, and 1289. After the partitions of Poland, the village fell under Prussian rule, and after World War I, it was incorporated into the borders of independent Poland. Włóki underwent repolonization after World War II, which impacted its national and religious structure. In the 19th century, it covered an area of 491 hectares, and its inhabitants were almost 100% engaged in agriculture. Today, the village is characterized by an increased dependence of its residents on work in nearby Bydgoszcz. Włóki is home to a wooden parish church dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene from the 17th century, which is listed as a historical monument, and a site of national memory commemorating the battles of September 1939, including a monument to soldiers of the 23rd Infantry Regiment. In 2018, during the construction of the S5 expressway, previously unknown graves of Polish soldiers were discovered, underscoring the historical significance of this land. The monument to the fallen soldiers, unveiled in 1947, symbolizes the memory of their sacrifice. An interesting fact is that Włóki, despite its agricultural character, was an arena for military confrontations, reflecting the village's rich history.