Konskie

Końskie is a town located in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, serving as the capital of Końskie County. The earliest traces of settlement in the area date back to the 11th century. The first written mention of the town comes from 1145, and by the 13th century, Końskie had become an important religious and industrial center. A key moment in the town's history was the granting of town rights in 1748 by King Augustus III. It developed as a center for iron processing and weapons production, with one of its most prominent figures being Jan Małachowski, who contributed significantly to local development and revitalization. The architectural treasures of Końskie include an 18th-century Classicist palace and park complex, now partially destroyed but still worth visiting. The town also boasts the late Gothic Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas and the Baroque Church of St. Anne. Końskie was the site of dramatic events during World War II, including the massacre of Jews, which marks a tragic chapter in its history. Today, Końskie is a dynamically growing economic and cultural center, with well-maintained craft traditions and a ceramic industry. The town offers a rich educational landscape with numerous kindergartens and schools, and it enjoys good transport accessibility thanks to national and regional roads as well as rail connections. An interesting fact is that the inhabitants of Końskie are called *konecczanie*, a demonym that involves often confusing adjective declension due to the town's name. Końskie is also recognized as a bellwether for election results in Poland, earning it the nickname "electoral barometer." The town is developing partnership relations with, among others, Šaľa (Slovakia) and Mohyliv-Podilskyi (Ukraine), and actively promotes tourism through historical trails and national memorial sites.