Zwolen

Zwoleń is a town located in the Masovian Voivodeship, in Zwoleń County, on the Zwolenka River. Its history dates back to the 15th century when it was established on the grounds of the village of Gotardowa Wola by the privilege of King Władysław Jagiełło. Over the centuries, Zwoleń stood out as a royal town and an important craft center. Between 1566 and 1575, the renowned poet Jan Kochanowski served as the prebendary of the local parish. The town experienced many tragic events, including destruction during the Swedish Deluge and World War II. In 1942, the Zwoleń ghetto, inhabited by about 6,000 Jews, was liquidated, and its residents were deported to extermination camps. After the war, Zwoleń went through a period of reconstruction and later became the seat of the county. The architecture of Zwoleń is dominated by historic monuments, such as the 16th-century Parish Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, in the crypt of which the remains of Jan Kochanowski rest. The town hosts various cultural events, including the annual "Pan Jan's Name Day," which attracts well-known personalities from the music world. Zwoleń also enjoys international cooperation with cities such as Zvolen and Ploiești. In the field of sports, the town has football, cycling, and tennis clubs, as well as a skatepark. Interestingly, during the Polish People's Republic, Zwoleń won first place in the "Master of Thriftiness" competition. The town is full of cultural and historical treasures that attract visitors and testify to its rich past.