Pałecznica

Pałecznica is a rural municipality located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, within the Proszowice County. The municipality was established on April 1, 1991, as a result of the division of the Racławice-Pałecznica municipality, and from 1991 to 1998, it belonged to the Kielce Voivodeship. Pałecznica, which serves as the seat of the municipal authorities, has a rich history dating back at least 600 years. In the Middle Ages, the village was an important point on the trade route from Kraków to Sandomierz. Historical documents refer to the municipality under various names, and its lands were owned by knightly and noble families. In the 19th century, the municipality went through various administrative forms, including the Duchy of Warsaw and the Kingdom of Poland, and in 1975, it lost its municipal status, which affected its significance. Archaeological research confirms settlement in this region, and most of the localities in the municipality have medieval roots. Contemporary activities of the municipality include projects related to renewable energy sources and the construction of the St. James's Way, the first section of its kind in Lesser Poland. The Pałecznica municipality covers an area of 47.95 km², with a predominance of agricultural land (93%). According to data from 2004, the municipality was home to 3,732 people. An interesting fact is that over 100 peasants from the municipality took part in the Kościuszko Uprising, and in 2008, a section of the Lesser Poland St. James's Way was opened here. It is also worth noting that the municipality is engaged in developing a sustainable energy development strategy.