Słomniki

Słomniki is a town in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, located 24 km north of Kraków, on the Szreniawa River, and serves as the seat of the Słomniki municipality. The history of Słomniki dates back to the 13th century, with the first mention of a hunting settlement appearing in 1287. During the Middle Ages, the town was granted city rights by King Casimir III the Great in 1358. Słomniki is characterized by its architectural layout of the market square, which has been preserved to this day, featuring a square plan with an area of 1.75 hectares. The town was repeatedly destroyed as a result of Tatar and Swedish invasions and was also the site of significant events, such as the gathering of Polish troops after the Battle of Racławice, where Tadeusz Kościuszko was active. After World War II, the Jewish population significantly decreased due to mass deportations to extermination camps. In recent years, the population has numbered around 4,321. Słomniki is home to interesting monuments, such as the neo-Romanesque Church of the Blessed Sacrament from the years 1888–1893, which houses a late Gothic crucifix and a painting of the Holy Family from the first half of the 16th century. Additionally, the town boasts a synagogue from the late 19th century, despite the difficulties it faced during the interwar period when antisemitism intensified. Culture in Słomniki thrives thanks to various institutions, such as the Municipal Cultural Center, the "Czar" cinema, the Museum of the Słomniki Land, and the long-standing tradition of the "Echo" brass band. Economically, the town serves as a trade and service center in an agricultural region, with small-scale food and metal industries. Transport in Słomniki is diverse; national and regional roads pass through the town, as well as a railway line. Słomniki was a royal town and one of the urban centers of the Kraków agglomeration.