Zabór

Zabór is a historic village located in western Poland within the Lubusz Voivodeship and Zielona Góra County. Situated on the northern and western shores of Liwno Wielkie Lake, it serves as the administrative seat for Gmina Zabór. The settlement boasts deep historical roots, first mentioned in the early 14th century under the Latinized name Saborin. Its name is of Polish origin, derived from words meaning "behind a coniferous forest." Throughout the centuries, the area was part of the emerging Polish state, later belonging to the Duchies of Silesia and Głogów under the Piast and Jagiellonian dynasties until 1506. The village has seen fluctuating populations, recorded at 470 residents in 1842 and approximately 950 in modern times.

The location holds significant historical weight due to its complex political past and cultural resilience. During the Nazi occupation of Germany between 1936 and 1945, authorities renamed the village Fürsteneich in an attempt to erase its Polish heritage. Following World War II, the historic name Zabór was officially restored when the territory returned to Poland. The area is also noted for the legendary Napoleon Oak, which once stood nearby as one of the largest oak trees in Europe before collapsing in 2010 due to arson. While often referred to as Zabór Castle in imagery, the site functions today primarily as a populated lakeshore village rather than a standalone fortress, preserving its legacy through its enduring name and scenic setting.