Ujsoly can be explored through several layers of history: the village was probably founded in the 16th century by Wallachian settlers; the Roman Catholic parish of St Joseph was established in 1913. At the same time, the Wawrzyńcowych Hud tradition preserves knowledge, skills, memories and community customs across generations. This gives you local history, inherited customs and specific historical formats to consider when planning your trip.

Wallachian Roots and Local History

The Wallachian settlers were pastoral populations from the Balkans. They established sheep and cattle grazing on the mountain pastures in Ujsoly and built Kosory and Szałasy there. This gives the probable founding a concrete historical dimension: it is connected with grazing on the mountain pastures and the structures built there. Another historical milestone is the Roman Catholic parish of St Joseph, established in 1913. The settlement’s history and the parish offer two distinct starting points for exploring the history of the village.

Wawrzyńcowych Hud: Customs and Passing on the Tradition

The Wawrzyńcowych Hud tradition encompasses more than the moment the fire is lit: knowledge and skills for building the structures, preparing the fire and lighting it ceremonially are passed down. Memories and community customs are also part of the tradition. Building, preparation and ritual together form an inheritance in which craft knowledge goes hand in hand with community customs.

A historical reference point is the 44th edition of Wawrzyńcowych Hudy, held on 6 and 7 August 2022, when multi-tiered fires were lit. The specific date places this example in the history of the event.

As part of a 2026 municipal heritage project, workshops on building Hud were offered in Ujsoly, Glinka, Soblówka and Złatna. They shared knowledge about construction, symbolism and the rituals of lighting tall fires. The workshops complement the 2022 event with a different approach: they also focus on construction knowledge and passing on the tradition.

Historic Routes and a Quest

The new historic route introduced in 2026 starts in the centre of Ujsoly and heads towards Złatna. Guided historical walks can be organised along the route. A guided walk is therefore one way to explore the route and its historical focus.

Another format is the quest “Podmuńcolskie spacery”. It starts at the car park by the “Pod Muńcołem” amphitheatre in Ujsoly, on ul. Bystra. The quest is intended for children and young people, families with children, and adults.

The formats can be distinguished by different features: the historic route focuses on its direction and the option of guided walks, while the quest has a specific starting point and named target groups. When planning your trip, you can choose between two different ways of exploring historical themes.

The Ujsolski Park for Active Tourism and Recreation is also in Ujsoly and adds recreation to the village’s attractions.

Discover more destinations: Lodygowice, Wieprz, Zwardoń, Okrajnik, Rycerka Górna, Czernichów, Pietrzykowice, Krzyżowa.

See the overview of the wider area: Żywiec.