Nowa Wieś: the Soła, sacred art and local history

Nowa Wieś combines a distinct riverside setting with sacred art and a rich local history. The Soła flows through the village; there is also a specialist fishing water on the border with Bielany. Relics and sacred works of art are kept in the Church of Saint Maximilian Kolbe. Together, they shape the character of Nowa Wieś.

The Soła and the village’s location

Nowa Wieś lies on a low, flat, western terrace on the right bank of the Soła. The river runs through the village, which borders directly on Kęty to the south. Its geographical location can therefore be described in terms of two specific features: the river’s course through Nowa Wieś and its proximity to Kęty. If you take a riverside location and the surrounding area into account when choosing a destination, you can consider these features. The terrace described here is low and flat, forming a distinct part of the landscape.

The “DYRCZONIÓWKA” fishing water

“DYRCZONIÓWKA” is a specialist fishing water covering 10.00 ha. It lies on the border between Nowa Wieś and Bielany. Fishing is subject to a specific requirement: members of the Polish Angling Association may fish there after purchasing an annual permit. This makes it more than simply a feature of the landscape and is an important part of planning for anglers. If fishing is one of your travel interests, you can also consider Nowa Wieś from this perspective and take the permit requirement into account.

Sacred art and parish history

The Church of Saint Maximilian Kolbe houses relics of saints as well as valuable works of sacred art. These include paintings, sculptures and stained-glass windows. The collection thus encompasses several different forms: paintings, three-dimensional works and decorated windows. Visitors interested in religious art will find these specific groups of works to be a distinct cultural highlight in the description of the village.

The parish’s history can also be placed in a specific timeframe: it was established in 1982 by Cardinal Franciszek Macharski. This date refers to the establishment of the parish; it should not be confused with the construction date of the church. In Nowa Wieś, sacred art and parish history are therefore two related but distinct aspects.

Historical traces in the village

In November 1940, the Germans established a temporary Jewish ghetto in Nowa Wieś. Jews from Kęty and the surrounding area were brought there. This is one of the historical subjects that should not be overlooked when learning about Nowa Wieś. The date and the temporary nature of the ghetto are essential details of this account.

Another historical trace is the former manor estate in the western part of Nowa Wieś. It stood on the road leading from the village centre to the Soła. The former manor house was a two-storey building shaped like a large tenement house and surrounded by a small, badly neglected park. The manor estate is a historic site; this does not imply that it is in use today. Its location between the village centre and the Soła provides a specific link to local history and the geography described here.

Nowa Wieś offers different points of interest to consider when planning your trip: its location on the Soła, the fishing water and its permit requirement, sacred art and historical subjects. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can start by weighing up which of these aspects you would like to shape your stay most.

Other places: Zator, Skidzin, Brzeszcze, Grojec, Jawiszowice, Kęty, Bielany, Łęki.

For the wider travel overview: Auschwitz.