Piszczac

Piszczac is a town in Poland, located in the Lublin Voivodeship, within Biała Podlaska County, with a history dating back to 1530 when it was granted town rights. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the town developed as a center of royal administration, featuring large grain warehouses and the ability to organize fairs. During the interwar period, Piszczac was significantly inhabited by a Jewish community engaged in crafts and trade. It had a synagogue, a ritual slaughterhouse, and a Jewish cemetery, reflecting its multicultural heritage. During World War II, the town became a site of resistance, but the Jewish community was tragically affected by the Holocaust, with the majority of its members deported to extermination camps. Architecturally, Piszczac is characterized by modest yet significant structures, including a cemetery chapel from around 1800 and a parish church dedicated to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which was originally an Orthodox church built in 1907. Piszczac regained its town status on January 1, 2024, and is currently the seat of Gmina Piszczac, with a population of 2,142 as of 2021. The town lies on the strategic Berlin-Moscow railway route, underscoring its transport significance. Piszczac’s cultural identity is intertwined with the diversity of its history and events. In sports, the town has a regional football club, Lutnia Piszczac, which competes in the district league. The triangular shape of the town’s market square is an architectural curiosity, reflecting its historical traditions and urban layout.