Suchowola - urban-rural commune, Sokółka County, Podlaskie Voivodship.
Gmina Suchowola is an urban-rural gmina (commune) in Sokółka County,
Podlaskie Voivodeship, in north-eastern Poland. Its seat is the town of
Suchowola, which lies approximately 33 kilometres (21 mi) north-west of
Sokółka and 52 km (32 mi) north of the regional capital Białystok.
Area: 255.89 sq.km (98.8 sq.mi); Population: 7,350 (2006).
Suchowola is a town located on both banks of the Olszanka river. Its
population is 2,500 (2002).
It is situated in the Podlaskie Voivodeship (since 1999), having previously
been in Białystok Voivodeship (1975-1998) (1975-1998). The town was founded
in the 16th century and in 1777 it was granted with city rights.
In 1775 royal astronomer Szymon Antoni Sobiekrajski published a report
in which he stated that Suchowola is the exact geographic centre of Europe.
Due to serious losses in population during the World War II the rights
were halted in 1950. On January 1, 1997, Suchowola became a town again.
Among the famous people born in and around Suchowola was Father
Jerzy Popiełuszko - the 'Solidarity' movement's hero.
Arms and flag adopted on April 29, 2003 (resolution # VII/50/03).
"Arms: shield divided horizontally into two parts: on the upper (blue)
field there are a silver arc and a gold cross (motifs taken, most likely
from the noble 'Dolega' Coat of Arms).
On the lower (green) field there is an image of 'Sokolsky
horse'.
Flag: a rectangle in the ratio 5:8 composed of two fields divided vertically:
Left field (1/3) at the hoist is green. Right (fly) field is light blue
with a golden cross."
Chrystian Kretowicz, 30 Oct 2008
Suchowola Coat of Arms
image by Chrystian Kretowicz, 30 Oct 2008
adopted 29 Apr 2003
![[Sokólka commune flag]](../images/p/pl-pd-sw.gif)
image by Chrystian Kretowicz, 30 Oct 2008
![[Sokólka coat of arms]](../images/p/pl-pd)sw.gif)
image by Chrystian Kretowicz, 30 Oct 2008
