Kościelce

Kościelec is a rural municipality in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, within the Koło County, with its administrative seat located in Kościelec. According to data from June 2006, it had a population of 6,654. The municipality lies on the South Greater Poland Lowland and the Turek Upland, characterized by a landscape of cultivated fields and extensive forests. The history of settlement in this area dates back to the Mesolithic era; evidence of early habitation has been discovered in Gąsiorów, Tury, Dobra, and Ruszków. Numerous archaeological sites from the Neolithic period have been recorded, followed by settlements of the Lusatian and Przeworsk cultures. During the Middle Ages, Kościelec belonged to the Ląd castellany and did not feature a significant stronghold, although the area was strategically important in the 13th century. By the 14th century, Kościelec had declined in importance in favor of the nearby castle being built in Koło. In the 19th century, the region began to develop administratively. After World War II, the municipality became a well-known destination for summer camps. In 1939, tragic events occurred related to the German occupation and the massacre of local residents. Covering an area of 105.9 km², the municipality of Kościelec is home to three parish churches within the Włocławek Diocese. Transportation in the region is facilitated by National Road 92 and the A2 motorway. The municipality borders several other communes, and its land is partially used for agriculture and forestry. Key localities within the municipality include Białków, Daniszew, Gąsiorów, Gozdów, and Kościelec, each with a rich history and local traditions.