Leśnica

Leśnica is a town located in Upper Silesia, in the Opole Voivodeship, within Strzelce County. It received its town charter in 1217. Situated on the southeastern slope of the Góra Świętej Anny (St. Anne's Mountain), it is characterized by distinctive hills. According to 2008 data, the town had a population of 2,897 and serves as the administrative seat of the urban-rural municipality. Its name derives from the Polish word "las" (forest), which is confirmed by a 1217 document by Duke Casimir I of Opole, describing Leśnica as a market settlement. For centuries, Leśnica was surrounded by town walls and had three gates by 1384. The town suffered significant destruction, including during the Hussite invasion in 1429 and a complete fire in 1451. After World War II, Leśnica became part of Poland, but its post-war development was slow due to its proximity to industrial neighbors. Notable heritage sites include the 18th-century Holy Trinity Parish Church and the 17th-century Cemetery Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The town also features monuments dedicated to the Silesian Insurgents and the victims of World War I. Since 1947, the football club LZS Leśnica has been active in the town. Leśnica engages in partnerships with municipalities in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria.