Grodków

Grodków, known in German as Grottkau, is a town in the Opole Voivodeship and the seat of the municipality of the same name. In 2023, its population was 8,010. The history of Grodków dates back to 1250, when it was first mentioned in historical documents. The town received its municipal rights in 1268, and its name derives from the word "gród" (meaning "stronghold"), indicating its former defensive function. The town is rich in historical monuments, including the 13th-century Parish Church of St. Michael the Archangel, which features a late Baroque interior and a tall tower. Grodków also boasts fragments of medieval town walls and a town hall whose history dates back to the 15th century. The town suffered from numerous destructions due to fires, wars, and the events of World War II, which impacted its urban development. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the town developed dynamically, attracting new industrial establishments such as toy factories and breweries. Notable residents born in Grodków include Józef Elsner, the teacher of Frédéric Chopin, and physician Robert Sommer, a two-time Nobel Prize nominee. The town has various cultural institutions, including the Culture House and the Center for Culture and Recreation, which organize numerous cultural and sporting events, including handball and football sections. Grodków is also a partner town to several municipalities in Germany, the Czech Republic, France, and Ukraine. It is worth visiting the old market square, churches, and remnants of the town walls, which reflect the rich history of the region. With its cultural heritage, architectural monuments, and vibrant community life, Grodków is an important point on the map of the Opole region.