Zduńska Wola

Zduńska Wola is a city in Poland, located in the Łódź Voivodeship, which gained municipal rights in 1825, with its history dating back to the 14th century. The name "Zduńska Wola" combines elements related to settlement and freedom, derived from the no-longer-existing village of Zduny and the word "Wola," meaning empty land. The city developed as an important center of the textile industry from the 19th century and became a key railway hub, especially during the interwar period. Zduńska Wola is situated in the nearly flat terrain of the Łask Upland on the Pichna River. Today, it has approximately 42,000 inhabitants and is a well-known center of the textile industry, with companies such as the "Wola" Knitting Industry Plant and the hosiery manufacturer Gatta. Notable architectural landmarks include the Sanctuary of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Evangelical-Augsburg Church from 1926, and weavers' houses. The city also serves as a memorial to the communities that once inhabited it, including Jews, whose ghetto was liquidated during World War II. Today, Zduńska Wola is expanding its cultural institutions through the Public Library and the Museum of the History of the Orionist Fathers Congregation, along with many local initiatives such as the Municipal Cultural Center. The city cooperates with numerous foreign towns, and its sports life includes various disciplines, such as football, athletics, and rugby. Zduńska Wola also stands out for its numerous monuments and plaques commemorating important events related to the city, such as the monument to Józef Piłsudski and the plaque honoring Jews murdered during the war. The city is also rich in green areas, promoting recreation and active leisure.