Ostrów County

Ostrów County, located in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, was reestablished in 1999 as part of the administrative reform. Its seat is the city of Ostrów Wielkopolski, and the county consists of eight municipalities. With an agricultural-industrial character, agricultural land occupies 64.9% of its area, while forested areas account for 28.3%. The county is the second most populous in the voivodeship, with 161,581 residents at the beginning of 2020. The history of the region dates back to the end of the 13th century, when intensive urbanization began, with Odolanów and Raszków obtaining town rights in the 14th and 15th centuries, and Ostrów Wielkopolski in the 18th century. During the partitions, the area underwent complex administrative changes, and after World War II, the county functioned in various forms until it was reestablished in 1999. The county's economy focuses mainly on industries related to transport, machinery, and agri-food processing. The county is rich in architectural monuments, including sacral buildings, manor houses, palaces, and parks, with numerous objects listed in the register of historical monuments. Particularly noteworthy are the wooden and brick churches from the Romanesque and Gothic periods, as well as palaces such as the residence in Antonin. Considerable attention is also given to nature conservation in the region, including the European Bird Sanctuary "Barycz Valley" and the "Barycz Valley" Landscape Park. The county has a well-developed transport network, encompassing both roads and railways, with a local airport located in Michałków. Folk dances and traditions are part of the local culture, and the region attracts tourists with its historic churches, palaces, and extensive green areas, making it an interesting destination for lovers of history, architecture, and nature.