Chęciny

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Chęciny

Coat of arms

Chęciny

Coordinates: 50°48′10″N 20°28′2″E / 50.80278, 20.46722

Country

Poland

Area

- Total

14.12 km² (5.5 sq mi)

Population (2006)

- Total

4,252

- Density

301.1/km² (779.9/sq mi)

Postal code

26-060

Website: http://www.checiny.pl

Chęciny Castle

Chęciny [xɛnˈt͡ɕinɨ] is a town in Kielce County, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland, with 4,252 inhabitants (2006).

The town is first mentioned in historical documents from 1275. It obtained its city charter in 1325. The most important sight in the town is the royal castle built in the late 13th or early 14th century. It fell into ruin in the 18th century and remains in that state to this day.

The town had a Jewish community and it had been the center of the Hasidic Chentshin dynasty, (Chęciny being pronounced as "Chentshin" in Yiddish.) The notable Haredi leader and scholar in Israel, Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman's family originated in Chentshin.