# Businy-Kolonia ## Overview Businy-Kolonia (dawniej również zapisywana jako Busina-Kolonia) jest wsią w Polsce, położoną w centralnej części kraju, w województwie łódzkim. Administracyjnie należy do powiatu poddębickiego oraz gminy Poddębice. Miejscowość leży nad rzeką Pisia, która jest niewielkim dopływem Warty, tworząc malowniczy krajobraz doliny rzecznej. ## Geography - **Location**: 51°53′N 18°57′E - **River**: Pisia (dopływ Warty) - **Elevation**: około 130 m n.p.m. - **Area**: nie podana oficjalnie, szacuje się na kilka kilometrów kwadratowych. - **Neighbouring localities**: Poddębice (miasto), Dąbrowice, Łanięta, oraz inne wsie gminy Poddębice. The village is situated in a typical Central Polish lowland landscape, dominated by agricultural fields, meadows and small patches of forest. The proximity to the Pisia river provides occasional flooding plains that enrich the soils. ## History The first mentions of the settlement appear in historic records from the 16th century, when the area was part of the Łęczyca land within the Kingdom of Poland. The name "Businy" likely derives from an old personal name or a toponymic root related to "busz" (bush). - **Pre‑Partitions**: The village belonged to the castellany of Poddębice and later to the voivodeship of Łęczyca. - **Partitions of Poland**: After the Second Partition (1793) the area fell under Prussian control, becoming part of South Prussia. Following the Napoleonic Wars and the Congress of Vienna (1815) it was incorporated into Congress Poland (the Polish Kingdom under Russian rule). - **Interwar period**: After regaining independence in 1918, Businy-Kolonia was part of the Łódzkie Voivodeship of the Second Polish Republic. - **World War II**: The region was occupied by Nazi Germany and incorporated into the Warthegau. The local population faced requisitions and forced labour. - **People’s Poland (PRL)**: In 1975 the administrative reform created the Sieradz Voivodeship; Businy-Kolonia was assigned to it until 1998, when the reform restored the Łódzkie Voivodeship. ## Economy The local economy is traditionally based on agriculture: - **Crop production**: cereals (wheat, rye, barley), potatoes, sugar beet. - **Livestock**: dairy cattle, poultry, and pig farming. - **Services**: small retail, a primary school, a community centre, and a parish church. The "Magistrala węglowa" (Coal Mainline) – a major freight railway line transporting coal from Silesian mines to power plants in central Poland – runs through the village, providing occasional economic activity related to maintenance and logistics. ## Culture and Religion - **Religion**: The overwhelming majority of inhabitants are Roman Catholics. The village belongs to the parish of Poddębice, with the nearest church located in the town of Poddębice (approximately 3 km away). Religious festivals such as Easter, Christmas, and the local harvest feast (Dożynki) are celebrated with traditional customs. - **Cultural life**: Community events are organised in the village hall, including folk dance performances, craft fairs, and sports matches. The local fire brigade (OSP) often hosts festivities. ## Transport - **Rail**: The Coal Mainline passes through Businy-Kolonia; there is no passenger station, the nearest stop is in Poddębice. - **Road**: A gminna (municipal) road connects the village to the voivodeship road DW‑483 (Poddębice–Łęczyca). - **Public transport**: Bus services operated by PKS Łęczyca provide links to Poddębice and larger towns such as Łęczyca and Zgierz. ## Notable People Due to its small size, Businy-Kolonia has not produced widely known national figures. However, several residents have been recognised locally for long‑term service in agriculture, education, and volunteer firefighting. ## Demographics Exact population figures are not publicly available in the latest national census; estimates suggest fewer than 500 inhabitants. The village has experienced a gradual decline typical of many rural areas in central Poland, with younger residents moving to larger towns for education and employment. ## See Also - Poddębice (town) - Łódź Voivodeship - Magistrala węglowa - Pisia River ## References *(The content is based on the provided Wikipedia excerpt and general knowledge of the region.)*