Is there anything quite like a village that straddles borders? Koźmin might seem like an unassuming Polish village now, but its history is deeply entwined with Germany, specifically the town of Görlitz. Koźmin, known as Kosma in German, sits quietly on the Polish side of the Neisse River, a silent witness to centuries of change. You see, until the aftermath of World War II, the Neisse River wasn’t a border. Koźmin, with its few farms and gardens, was intrinsically linked to Görlitz. Imagine, back in the 16th century, Koźmin was home to a handful of hardworking farmers and gardeners. The village caught the eye of Hans Glöcky, a prominent figure who held the position of heir and judge in nearby Kösltiz. Glöcky, recognizing the value of Koźmin, purchased the entire village for 1000 talers. His son, Viktorin, inherited his father’s ambition and continued acquiring properties in Koźmin, solidifying their influence over the small village. This land wasn’t just about ownership; it came with responsibilities. The Glöcky family, as owners of Koźmin, found themselves exempt from certain taxes, a perk that came with a price. From 1633 until 1814, the villagers of Koźmin provided labor and services to offset this tax exemption. It was a delicate balance between obligation and privilege, a microcosm of the feudal systems that once dominated Europe. Koźmin, despite its size, played its part.
Bahnbetriebswerk Görlitz
“The rhythmic clang of hammers, the hiss of steam, can you almost hear it?”” Right here at the Bahnbetriebswerk Görlitz,