Schanz

Szaniec is a village in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, known for its rich history dating back to at least 1229, when it was mentioned in the "Collection of Diplomas of the Mogiła Monastery." Archaeological artifacts from the 10th–11th centuries have been discovered in Szaniec, indicating early settlement activity. In the mid-19th century, the village was owned by representatives of various noble families, including the Padniewski, Piasecki, and Myszkowski clans. A significant role in its history was played by an almshouse for the elderly established in 1698, as well as numerous conflicts, particularly during the January Uprising, when the residents resisted Russian actions. The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built at the turn of the 15th century, is the main landmark of Szaniec, featuring Gothic details such as a beautiful portal and rib vaults. The manor house, known as "Murowaniec," built by the Padniewski family, exhibits Renaissance and Gothic elements. The cemetery with a chapel from 1876, where notable parishioners and soldiers are buried, is also an important site in Szaniec. The region is rich in gypsum and sandstone resources, and in 1986, the Szaniec Landscape Park was established. The village was also a base for partisans of the Home Army and the Peasant Battalions. Notable figures associated with Szaniec include Jan Olrych Szaniec, a minister during the November Uprising, and Stefan Bidziński, the Sandomierz voivode. Szaniec, with its fascinating traditions and centuries-old history, is an important part of the region's cultural heritage.