Poland is an incredibly beautiful and diverse country where almost everyone can find something they like. In the south, you can enjoy mountain climbing, while in the north, wave-catching enthusiasts will find their paradise. Let's not forget the enchanting and still partly wild Bieszczady Mountains, or the fairy-tale-like Masurian Lakes. In many cities, history intertwines with modernity. There are plenty of true architectural gems and places with remarkable histories. There are so many places worth seeing that it's hard to remember them all. This is especially true for a small village in the Opole Voivodeship, or more precisely, a hamlet. What makes it so captivating?
An Unusual Village in Opole Voivodeship Captivates. What Makes It Special?
Few people have likely heard of the small village of Gronowice, located in the Opole Voivodeship. The hamlet of Czerwona seems like an entirely ordinary place at first glance: a dozen buildings, one access road, a square in the middle, and fields all around. However, a slightly elevated view reveals how extraordinary it looks. Photographer and travel enthusiast Paweł Szpala shared such a view some time ago in a short video on Instagram.
"I couldn't believe this place actually exists" - he wrote.
With the popularization of drones, which more and more people possess, we can look at familiar places from a completely different perspective. This allows us to discover new and interesting gems that we might not have known about otherwise. This is the case with the hamlet of Czerwona. The small settlement's unusual shape fascinates, reminding some people of a complex, green roundabout, while others think of a spaceship. "Star Wars" fans even compared it to the Millennium Falcon.
The Hamlet of Czerwona Is a Unique Place. But Not the Only One in Poland
Villages laid out this way were called "okolnica" or "ring villages," and their unusual shape primarily served defensive purposes. Usually, one or at most two roads led to them. Similar places can be found near Chorzew, including Jamno and Łabusz near Kalisz. This makes the hamlet of Czerwona one of the few of its kind, so if you are looking for a short trip destination, it is worth visiting. Especially since the surroundings of the entire village of Gronowice boast stunning views that are part of the Silesian Lowlands.
