Oliws

Oliws is a small village in northern Poland. Located in a rural part of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, it lies near larger towns and is surrounded by agricultural fields and patches of forest. The name Oliws is of Slavic origin and is believed to be connected to an old term for olive or oil, a reference that is mostly historical rather than geographic since olives do not grow in the area.

The village has medieval roots, with the earliest written records appearing in the late Middle Ages. It developed as an agricultural settlement, with landowners and smallholder farmers shaping the landscape over centuries. In the modern era Oliws saw gradual rural development, aided by improvements to local roads and services that supported farming and small-scale crafts.

Today Oliws has a small population and a predominantly Polish community. The local economy remains anchored in agriculture and forestry, with some residents commuting to nearby towns for work. It is served by regional roads and local bus connections that link the village to larger market towns and services.

Culturally, Oliws preserves a number of traditional rural customs. The village hosts an annual harvest festival and maintains a parish church that serves as a focal point for community life. Among its landmarks are a historic chapel and a traditional wooden windmill, which stand as reminders of the area’s historical ties to farming and the surrounding landscape.