Szprotawa

Szprotawa is a town located in the Lubusz Voivodeship, within the Żagań County, on the rivers Bóbr and Szprotawa. According to data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) from 2021, the population was 10,954. Szprotawa boasts a rich history dating back to medieval times, when around the year 1000, a meeting took place between Bolesław the Brave and Emperor Otto III. The town received its charter rights around 1260, which contributed to its rapid economic development, especially in clothmaking and trade. In the 16th century, the town was granted numerous privileges, and in 1407, it obtained the right to mint its own coin. At the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, Szprotawa was under the rule of Polish princes, and later the Habsburgs and Prussia. In the 20th century, the town suffered losses during World War II, losing about 50-55% of its urban fabric. The architectural value of Szprotawa lies in its monuments, including the parish church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary from the 13th/14th century, the Evangelical church from 1747, defensive walls from the 14th century, and the town hall from 1583-1586. The town, with its rich cultural traditions, supports the activities of local organizations and sports clubs such as KS Sprotavia, offering a wide range of disciplines, including football, volleyball, and athletics. Szprotawa also promotes traditional products, such as apple-honey vinegar and honey-pumpkin mustard, which are listed as traditional products of the Lubusz Voivodeship. The town has an investment zone on the site of a former Soviet airfield, creating opportunities for development and new jobs. Szprotawa is a place that, despite its modest size, combines a rich historical and architectural heritage with dynamic modern development.