Kostrzyn

Kostrzyn is an urban-rural municipality in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, located in the central-eastern part of Poznań County, with its administrative seat in the town of Kostrzyn. The municipality covers an area of 154 km² and is home to 17,882 residents (as of December 31, 2018), 52% of whom live in the town itself. The municipality consists of the town of Kostrzyn and 21 village administrative districts (sołectwa). The history of Kostrzyn dates back to the 12th century, and its name derives from the knight Kostro, who founded the settlement. In 1251, Duke Przemysł I granted the town municipal rights, highlighting its long history and regional significance. Despite its agricultural character, the municipality benefits from a favorable location, which supports the development of tourism and economic activity. The area is traversed by a railway line connecting Berlin, Poznań, and Warsaw, as well as sections of the S5 expressway and national road 92. Within the municipality, there are three wooden churches recognized as architectural monuments: in Czerlejno, Gułtowy, and Siekierki. Kostrzyn actively promotes sports and recreation, boasting a modern sports hall and organizing recurring running events such as the Kurdeszowy Run and the Bieg Pieczonej Pyry (Baked Potato Run). Numerous sports clubs operate in the municipality, covering a variety of disciplines. Kostrzyn has its own bus network with six lines, facilitating mobility for residents. It borders the municipalities of Nekla, Dominowo, Środa Wielkopolska, Kleszczewo, Swarzędz, and Pobiedziska, making it an important point on the regional map. Despite its agricultural roots, the Municipality of Kostrzyn successfully blends tradition with modernity and is becoming an attractive place both to live in and to visit.