Considering a place where single-family homes meet the echoes of a rich past. Welcome to Opacz Wielka. This neighbourhood in Warsaw holds stories dating back to the early 16th century.
Opacz Wielka was first noted in historical records at the start of the 16th century. By 1528 the Opacki family owned it. Their estate covered around 100 hectares. This settlement was near today’s Jutrzenki Street.
In the 18th century General Arnold Anastazy Byszewski owned the village. By the end of that century Opacz Wielka had 24 households. By 1827 this number decreased to 12 households.
During the 19th century a portion of Opacz Wielka became the settlement of Salomea. Near the end of the 19th century the Załuski Clay Pits were created. These artificial lakes formed after local brickworks excavated clay. Rainwater filled the pits.
Between 1883 and 1890 Fort V was built northeast of Opacz Wielka. It was part of the Warsaw Fortress built by the Russian Imperial Army. Building restrictions around the fort hindered Opacz Wielka’s growth. After the fort was partially demolished in 1913 the village started to grow again.
In 1927 the Warszawa Salomea railway station was built. This station connected Opacz Wielka to the city. Soon after Opacz-Kolonia was established southwest of Opacz Wielka. It served as an extension with about 40 households. In April 1939 Opacz-Parcela was separated from it.
During World War II in March 1944 six Home Army officers were captured in Opacz Wielka. Nazi sympathisers handed them over to the Field Police Corps who executed them. In May 1944 the Home Army retaliated. They executed four people involved in the capture and two more in the weeks following.
In May 1951 Opacz Wielka was incorporated into Warsaw. However Opacz-Kolonia remained a separate village. In May 2004 Włochy district was divided into City Information System areas. Opacz Wielka became one of them.
Between 2010 and 2013 two expressways were built around Opacz Wielka. These formed part of Warsaw’s ring road. The Salomea–Wolica Route ran east and the S2 expressway ran south. During construction the largest pond of the Załuski Clay Pits was drained. Part of the second largest pond was also lost.
Today Opacz Wielka is mainly residential. It features single-family homes. You will also find some storage manufacturing buildings and farmland. In the southeastern part near Emaliowa Street lie the Załuski Clay Pits. These are now two small artificial lakes.
The Warszawa Salomea railway station sits at the boundary with Salomea. Expressways run along the southern and eastern edges forming part of Warsaw’s ring road. Opacz Wielka is bordered by several locations. These include Salomea, Okęcie and Załuski. It also borders the municipalities of Raszyn and Michałowice.
Opacz Wielka stands as a testament to resilience. It has seen centuries of change. From its early days as a noble estate to its current status as a Warsaw neighbourhood. Its history is etched in its landscape. Its people have shaped its identity. Take a moment to appreciate the layers of history beneath your feet in Opacz Wielka.