obalen

Obalen is a small village situated in east-central Poland, within the administrative district of Gmina Opinogóra Górna, Ciechanów County, in the Masovian Voivodeship. The settlement lies approximately 4 kilometers northwest of Opinogóra Górna, 10 kilometers north-east of the county seat Ciechanów, and roughly 84 kilometers north of Warsaw, the national capital. The village is positioned at an elevation of about 105 meters above sea level and falls under the Central European Time zone (UTC+1), with daylight saving time observed.

Historically, Obalen has been a modest agricultural community. Records dating back to the 16th century mention the village as part of the estate of local noble families. In the interwar period, it was incorporated into the Second Polish Republic’s Ciechanów administrative district. During World War II, Obalen, like many villages in the Masovian region, suffered from occupation and was the site of clandestine resistance activity. Postwar, the village was rebuilt with a focus on community farming and small-scale manufacturing.

The local parish church, dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, serves as the primary cultural and religious center. Constructed in the early 20th century, the church is noted for its neo-Gothic architectural elements and a small cemetery that contains graves from various periods. Obleń also hosts an annual harvest festival that attracts residents from neighboring villages, celebrating traditional Masovian songs, dances, and cuisine. Today, the population of Obalen is approximately 250 inhabitants, who maintain a blend of agricultural practices and small businesses catering to the surrounding rural area.