Sowiewärts

Sowiewärts is a small municipality located in the Opole Voivodeship of southern Poland. The settlement lies approximately 15 kilometres southwest of the city of Opole and 4 kilometres north of the district capital Korfantów. The name derives from the nearby Sowie River, a minor tributary that merges with the Oder River east of the town. Historically, the area was part of the Kingdom of Poland in the early Middle Ages, later falling under Bohemian and Habsburg rule before returning to Polish sovereignty after the Second Silesian War in 1742.

The population of Sowiewärts is around 1,200 residents, predominately Polish with a minority German-speaking community. The local economy is largely based on small-scale agriculture, with wheat, barley, and potato being the main crops. In recent years the municipality has promoted eco-tourism, taking advantage of its rural landscape and cultural heritage sites such as the 18th‑century St. Catherine Church, a well‑preserved example of Baroque architecture in the region.

Sowiewärts is governed by a mayor–council system, with the municipal council elected every four years. The town maintains a primary school and a community center that hosts cultural events, including traditional Silesian folk music performances. Public transportation is limited to a regional bus line that connects Sowiewärts to Opole and Korfantów, with the nearest railway station located in Korfantów, approximately 5 kilometres away.

Tourists visiting Sowiewärts often visit the nearby natural reserve along the Sowie River, known for its diverse wetlands and birdwatching opportunities. The municipality has gained recognition for its efforts to conservation, receiving a regional environmental award in 2019 for sustainable land management practices.