Mniów

The Mniów Commune, historically known as the Krasna Commune, is a rural administrative unit located in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, within Kielce County. The seat of the commune is the town of Mniów, whose history dates back to a distant past when the region was a significant center for mining and metallurgy, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries. During that time, iron ores were mined here for iron production, and glass was smelted, making Mniów an important part of the Old Polish Industrial Basin. Today, the commune lies on the border of two geographical regions: the Świętokrzyskie Mountains and the Suchedniów Plateau, with its southern part forming a section of the Suchedniów-Oblęgór Landscape Park. The region is rich in rare and protected species of fauna and flora, as well as numerous ecological preserves and natural monuments. Mniów is also part of the Konecko-Łopuszno Protected Landscape Area, highlighting its natural and ecological values. Within the commune, there are deposits of Triassic ceramic clays and sand, used in local industry, which contributes to the development of artistic crafts and pottery. The commune covers an area of 95.27 km², dominated by agricultural land (66%) and forests (24%), and its demographic structure and villages, such as Baran, Borki, or Grzymałków, reflect local diversity. In the cultural sphere, the commune actively collaborates with the Victoria Mniów football club, founded in 2003, which has achieved success in regional leagues. Additionally, the commune is home to numerous national memorial sites and archaeological sites, underscoring its rich historical heritage. The commune cooperates with neighboring communes, such as Łopuszno, Miedziana Góra, and Zagnańsk. Mniów, with its unique history and natural resources, is an interesting region for studying its architectural, cultural, and ecological features.