under Nazi Germany Gozdnica was founded in the 13th century by Duke
Przemko of Ścinawa. It formed part of the duchies of
Żagań and
Jawor, formed in the course of the medieval fragmentation of Poland into smaller duchies. It was granted
town rights before 1315. In 1346 it passed to the
Kingdom of Bohemia, then in 1353 to
Saxony, and in 1364 it returned to the
Duchy of Jawor, then in 1413 to the
Duchy of Żagań.
Town rights were revoked in 1752, and eventually restored in 1967. The railway line from
Ruszów remained operational until 2005. During
World War II,
Nazi Germany operated a
forced labour camp for
Jews. In 2016, the village of
Dębówek became administratively part of Gozdnica. Prior to the change, the village was in the
Lower Silesian Voivodeship, within
Gmina Węgliniec,
Zgorzelec County. == Villages ==