Borek Wielkopolski

Borek Wielkopolski, known until November 21, 1958, as Borek, is a town in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, within Gostyń County. It is located on the western edge of the Kalisz Upland, near the Pogona River. Its main administrative units include the Old Town, the 600th Anniversary Housing Estate, and the Northern Housing Estate. Borek has a rich history dating back to the village of Borowo in 1298. The town gained municipal rights in the early 15th century, and its development was primarily tied to crafts, including cloth-making and linen production. Jewish communities also existed in Borek, with a synagogue and other Jewish cultural institutions operating there in the 19th century. Architecturally, it features notable monuments such as the 17th-century Sanctuary of Our Lady of Consolation, the 15th-century Parish Church of St. Stanislaus the Bishop, an 18th-century rectory, and a town hall from 1853. Borek serves as a local trade and service center, with well-developed transport infrastructure, including national and regional roads as well as railway lines. The town also has an interesting history related to World War I and World War II, during which its residents fought for independence and suffered under occupation. After the war, Borek underwent various administrative changes and long remained under private ownership. Today, Borek Wielkopolski is engaged in cooperation with the French town of Le Mesnil-Esnard and actively promotes local sports through football and handball clubs.