The best traffic-free bike rides around gmina Wilamowice

This unassuming chapel makes a completely different impression once you peek inside. It's worth stopping here, if only for a moment.

Entering Wilamowice, you step into one of the most fascinating cultural enclaves in Europe! The town's name (in the local language: Wymysoü) comes directly from the name Wilhelm (William) – a legendary Flemish or Frisian nobleman. In the 13th century, Wilhelm brought a group of settlers from Western Europe (present-day Belgium, the Netherlands, and even Scotland) who were fleeing great floods to this region. For centuries, the community, living in isolation, created its own unique Wilamowice language (wymysiöeryś), which has survived to this day and is the smallest living language in Poland. What is worth seeing here? Museum of Wilamowice Culture – a modern place where you can learn about the history of Wilhelm's migrants. Unique costumes and traditions – if you are lucky, you will see local women in colorful, traditional costumes with Frisian motifs. The Market Square in Wilamowice – the intimate center of the town, perfect for a short break on your cycling route.

Wilamowice and Stara Wieś The first settlers from the West did not found one village, but two twin settlements located right next to each other. This is confirmed by the oldest church documents (lists of tithes) from 1326: Stara Wieś – recorded in the documents as Antiquo Willamowicz (Old Wilamowice). Wilamowice – recorded as Novovillamowicz (New Wilamowice). Interestingly, the fates of the inhabitants of both villages took completely different paths: The inhabitants of Stara Wieś were very quickly assimilated with the surrounding Polish population. They adopted their language and customs, thereby erasing their Western roots. In turn, the inhabitants of (New) Wilamowice abandoned farming in favor of crafts and trade, lived in isolation, and thanks to this, preserved their unique language (wymysiöeryś), costumes, and cultural distinctiveness for centuries. Hypothesis about settlers from Scotland.. Mention of Scots appear regularly in the Wilamowice tradition alongside Flemings and Frisians. Local tradition in the Municipality of Wilamowice still officially upholds the version that the founding core consisted of fugitives from Western Europe, among whom, alongside the dominant Flemings and Frisians, there was also a group of Scots. Influence on language: Some researchers and the Wilamowians themselves have pointed out that in the Wilamowice language, one can find isolated sounds or archaic words that phonetically show a surprising similarity not only to Dutch, but also to Celtic languages or Old Scots (Scots) and Anglo-Saxon. Traces in surnames: Part of the family names and nicknames in Wilamowice has, over the years, been attempted to be etymologically linked to origins from the British Isles.

Wilamowice is a town near Bielsko-Biała, called "Polish Flanders". It is famous for its unique community: Wilamowian language: A distinct Germanic language that survived despite persecution after 1945. It is currently undergoing intense revitalization, and young scientists are conducting research on it. Traditions: Residents still cultivate colorful local customs today, cherishing the memory of 13th-century settlers from Western Europe. Wilamowian costume: The group also uses its own very characteristic and richly decorated traditional folk costume.

A chapel built in the years 1977-1979 as a thank you for saving a life from the Auschwitz concentration camp. A very well-kept place, it is worth stopping here during your expedition.

The Volunteer Fire Department in Kęty Podlesie is the youngest unit in the Kęty commune. Its history dates back to 1948, when the second platoon of the Volunteer Fire Department in Kęty was formed. In 1949, the project of building a fire station was initiated. A Fire Station Construction Committee was formed, materials were collected, and work began before the winter of 1952. Initially, construction was financed from the Volunteer Fire Department's own funds. The first external support came in 1961 from the Polish Insurance Association (PZU). After several years of dedicated effort and extensive community service, construction was completed, and the station opened on July 21, 1968. On March 15, 1967, the unit received a banner donated by the Kęty Consumer Cooperative. In 1988, the Podlesie fire department celebrated its 40th anniversary. During the anniversary celebration, the unit's banner was awarded the Gold Medal of Merit for Firefighting. On this ceremonial day, a new banner, funded by the generosity of members of the Kęty-Podlesie Volunteer Fire Department, was dedicated and presented to the unit.

The history of the Nowa Wieś (Kęty) Volunteer Fire Department spans the pre-war period, the occupation, and the present day. The unit was founded before World War II, during the pre-war period, and its operations were halted during the war. After the war, in 1945, a new board was established. In subsequent years, the unit continued to grow, acquiring equipment, training firefighters, and achieving success in firefighting competitions, including first place in 1992.

A very strange place. It's the first time I've seen so much privacy in one place... Fences everywhere and restricted access to the water...