Opole (Opolskie Province)
The larger region in which the Povince of Opole is located is Silesia (Śląsk) which, in terms of the current administrative division of Poland, also encompasses the Provinces of Silesia itself as well as Lower Silesia (Dolnyśląsk). Originally the province was a Slavic settlement, and Opole, the capital of the region, was the seat of the dukes of Opole of the Piast dynasty (1163-1532). Later in the 16th century, the province became a part of Prussia but was incorporated into Poland again in 1945. Opole province is the smallest province in Poland. It is located in the southestern part of the country, on the trade routes leading from Germany to Ukraine. The advantages of the region include its accessibility, the beauty of natural environment, its high quality of soil and others. There are a numer of outstanding historical monuments in the province, most of them located in the towns of Opole, Nysa, Paczkow and Brzeg.