Wojsławice

Wojsławice is a village in the Lublin Voivodeship, within the Chełm County, with a rich history dating back to the Neolithic era. Once a town, it obtained municipal rights before 1466 and was demoted in 1870. Wojsławice served as the seat of the municipality and had a population of 1,509 in 2011. Settlement in the region began in the Neolithic period, and numerous archaeological artifacts have been discovered in the area. The first written mention of Wojsławice dates back to 1404. The history of the locality is rich with political and cultural events, including references to Jews, who constituted a significant portion of the population, and the tragic events of World War II, during which the local Jewish community was annihilated. Architecturally, the village retains a quadrilateral market square with wooden and brick buildings that still reflect the historical urban layout. Notable sites include a 16th-century church complex, a Jewish cemetery, and a brick Orthodox church from 1771. Among the landmarks, the New Synagogue from the early 20th century and the castle, whose remnants testify to the region's former glory, stand out. The village is home to the Municipal Cultural Center and a Memorial Chamber, which showcases collections related to archaeology, history, and ethnography. Interestingly, Wojsławice is the setting for stories by Andrzej Pilipiuk, featuring the character Jakub Wędrowycz, a rural exorcist and moonshiner. In 1985, the village was awarded the Order of the Grunwald Cross, 3rd Class, highlighting its significance in regional history. Today, Wojsławice is a place with a rich cultural heritage, where diverse traditions and faiths coexist, making it an intriguing tourist destination.