Uszew: Memorial Plaque, Uszwica Valley and St. Florian

Remembrance and local history in Las Grabaliny

In 2003, the Jewish Community of Kraków and village residents erected a marble plaque in Las Grabaliny Forest. It commemorates a historical period marked by persecution and assistance during the Second World War. The family of Chaskel Goldberger and Pinkas Federgrin stayed in a bunker in the forest. Residents of Uszew helped them; the farmer Wojciech Kotfis provided particular assistance. After the hiding place was discovered, Toni Goldberger, her three underage daughters and Pinkas Federgrin were shot in August 1944. Kotfis was killed for helping Jews. His family secretly buried him at night in the parish cemetery.

This story is about both the people who provided help and the consequences Kotfis suffered for doing so. The bunker in the forest and the secret burial in the parish cemetery belong to different parts of this serious historical context. For travellers interested in a place’s history, the people and events mentioned provide a concrete context for remembrance in Las Grabaliny.

A path overlooking the Uszwica Valley

Near Uszew, a little-used path near the cemetery leads to fields on a hill. From these fields, you can see the Uszwica Valley; the path continues towards Księży Las. The route description thus provides several concrete landmarks: the area near the cemetery, the higher fields and the view into the valley. Księży Las indicates the direction in which the path continues.

The landscape focus differs clearly from the history of Las Grabaliny. Here, the emphasis is on the route, the fields and the view. If you also want to take the landscape into account when choosing a destination, this description offers a distinct point of interest; it links the valley view with a specific direction for continuing your walk.

Baroque and Classicism at St. Florian Church

St. Florian Church in Uszew combines Baroque and Classicism. These terms refer to distinct architectural styles, which together define the church’s character as described here. This gives Uszew a clear point of interest for architecture enthusiasts, alongside its history of remembrance and its path through the landscape. The combination of the two styles is essential: it cannot be reduced to a single label.

When planning your trip, you can weigh the different themes against one another: serious local history, a path with valley views or a combination of two architectural styles. If you are looking for hotels in Uszew, this can help you choose a destination that suits your travel group’s interests.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Połom Mały, Szczepanów, Brzesko, Biesiadki, Łysa Góra, Iwkowa, Mokrzyska, Czchów.

For the main travel overview: Brzesko.