Dobrzykowice – Film History and Late Baroque Church Art

Film History in the Townscape

In the town centre, life-size figures of Władysław Kargul and Kazimierz Pawlak, the two main characters in Sylwester Chęciński’s film trilogy, stand on display. The trilogy comprises “Sami swoi”, “Nie ma mocnych” and “Kochaj albo rzuć”. The figures make the film heroes part of today’s townscape. A square named after Sylwester Chęciński, with figures of the film heroes, is another film-related feature in Dobrzykowice. In this way, the film history is reflected not only in accounts of the filming, but also in named places and figures.

The name of “Sami swoi” Street also draws on a title from the trilogy; the street was laid out in Dobrzykowice. The “Festyn Sami Swoi” has been held in Dobrzykowice since 2000. Together, these features offer a glimpse of the local connection to the film series. For families who know the films, the figures can be a concrete conversation starter; those who have not seen the films can use the names and figures as a starting point for learning about the town’s film history.

The Pond, Paths and Film Scenes

Scenes for Sylwester Chęciński’s film “Sami swoi” were shot at the pond in Dobrzykowice. New paths have been laid out around the pond, making it a place to explore in its own right as well as a film location. The fountain, previously purchased using funds from the Dobrzykowice village fund, became the centrepiece of the local pond. The film setting, paths and fountain are different aspects of the same pond: a direct link to film history, the newly laid-out paths and a design feature at its centre. If you enjoy combining your stay with a walk, you can make the pond a focus of its own, alongside the film figures in the town centre.

Church Architecture and Art

Another cultural highlight is the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The present building was constructed in 1753–1757 in the late Baroque style. Outside, the onion-shaped tower cupola with its lantern stands out. The church’s date and architectural style give it a different historical profile from the more recent memory of the films. For travellers interested in architecture, this means that a specific building, alongside the film-related features, forms part of the townscape.

The church houses a Gothic Pietà dating from around 1420. It predates the construction of the present church building by a considerable margin. Late Baroque architecture and a work of art from an earlier period thus come together here. The Pietà is a reason in its own right to take an interest in sacred art in Dobrzykowice; it complements the view of the building’s exterior with a historic work of art inside.

Which Holiday Apartment Suits Your Travel Interests?

When choosing a holiday apartment in Dobrzykowice, your cultural interests may be the deciding factor: the film series is reflected in several named features around town, while the church, tower and Pietà reveal a different side of the town’s history. If you are mainly interested in the films and their characters, the connections to Kargul and Pawlak and to the pond are the main attractions. If you would rather focus on architecture and art, the late Baroque church and Gothic Pietà offer specific themes to explore. This makes it easy to decide whether Dobrzykowice is the right destination for your stay based on which of these cultural discoveries appeals to you most.

Discover more places: Sulistrowice, Kiełczów, Biskupice Podgórne, Wojnowice, Bielany Wrocławskie, Siechnice, Blizanowice, Stróza.

Go to the main travel overview: Wroclaw.