Konin

For other meanings, see Konin (disambiguation).
Konin
Town Hall in Old Konin

Coat of arms
Konin
Coordinates:
Country  Poland
Voivodeship  Greater Poland
County city county
Town rights 1284
Government
 • Mayor Józef Nowicki
Area
 • Total 82 km2 (31.7 sq mi)
Elevation 88 m (289 ft)
Population (2006)
 • Total 80,618
 • Density 983.1/km2 (2,546.3/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 62-500 to 62-510
Area code(s) +48 063
Car plates PN
Website http://www.konin.pl

Konin [ˈkɔnin] is a town in central Poland on the Warta river. It is the capital of Konin County. Since 1999, it has been in the Greater Poland Voivodeship. Previously, it was the capital of Konin Voivodeship (1975–1998). In 2006, the population was 81,233.[1]

Contents

History

Prehistory

The oldest remains of human habitation in Konin have been dated to the Paleolithic. On the dunes near the Warta river in Konin various ancient flint tools and implements were found, among them knives, burins, and tanged points. These earliest artefacts belong to the Swiderian culture (Kultura świderska) from 9000 - 8000 BC.

Ancient times

The beginnings of permanent settlements near Konin were connected with the Amber Route leading from the Roman Empire to the Baltic Sea through the area of present-day town. Though there was no settlement called Konin at that time, valuable record about the place remained on map drawn by Ptolemy. The place was described as Setidava (or Getidava), a Dacian name using the form "-dava" and indicated probably a wading place in the Warta river, and an emporium - probably quite important place to merchants travelling along the Amber Route (information derived from Kalisz-Konin on The Amber Route written by Krzysztof Gorczyca). The biggest burial ground from that time was situated on the dunes, on the west from the centre of today's Konin and it belonged to the Przeworsk culture (Kultura Przeworska) (2nd to 3rd centuries AD).

Middle ages

In the early Middle Ages a settlement called Gród Kaszuba was the most significant of fortified settlements near present town of Konin and, in fact, Konin town originates from it. Gród Kaszuba existed from 10th to 12th centuries AD, was situated on the meadows near Warta river and was left probably in consequence of a flood which damaged partly its fortifications. It is worth to mention, that the remains of Gród Kaszuba are still visible on the south bank of the Warta river, although little remained of it. The prevailing majority of the settlement has been already taken away by the river.

In the Middle Ages, since 12th to 13th centuries AD the centre of complex of settlements near Konin was situated in the place where there is a Stare Miasto village today. There was a large settlement founded along the Polish law there with a market place and church build of sand-stone. Its name was Konin at that time - the name Stare Miasto apperaed in use later on, when Konin itself changed its location. What remained from that time is SS Peter's and Paul's parish church with magnificent carved portal and the solar clock on the south wall - probably the oldest solar clock in Greater Poland. In 1331 Settlement in Stare Miasto was plundered and burnt down by Teutonic Knights (Krzyżacy) during one of their illegal sallies against Polish Kingdom spanning deep into the main body of Greater Poland. This what remained from the settlement was abandoned soon and the town of Konin was founded elsewhere, in much more defensible place - namely just there, where the Old Town of Konin is situated nowadays.

Since 13th century onward the town of Konin has been situated on marshy grounds of island between several branches of Warta river. The oldest available note confirming the location of the town of Konin is connected with the chief officer of a settlers named Gosław - it was written in 1293. It is supposed that the location of town based on a charter signed by Przemysł II (duke of whole of Greater Poland) while he visited to Konin personally, namely in 1284 and 1292. We know what size exactly the town had at that time - its North - South axis equalled 430 meters, while West - East axis equalled only 210 meters. The area of town equalled 8 hectares and its circumference 1100 meters. And so Konin was a town of medium size at that time.[2]

In 14th century the significance of Konin is little by little growing. There are some temporary and separate records of Castellans from Konin. Castellan was a very significant office in feudal Poland and only the oldest towns in country were granted them. Approximately in the half of 14th century Konin became a capital of Judicial County in Kalisz Voivodeship. The town was connected with an office of Starost of the district. There must have been also a school in Konin at that time, because one student from Konin is on 14th century record of Charles University in Prague.[3]

Second half of 14th and the whole 15th century are believed as the period of the rapid development of Konin. During the reign of Polish king Casimir III the Great (1310–1370), the king's castle was erected in Konin, and the town was encircled with walls and with moat. It was the beginning of the town of Konin as a king's town[3] Well known Polish King Władysław II Jagiełło (1351(52) - 1434) was a frequent guest in Konin in years 1403, 1425 and 1433. This king managed to weaken and even to destroy partly the political and military power of Teutonic Knights. Polish-Lithuanian army won decisive Battle of Grunwald (15 July 1410). His last stay was the longest of all and lasted the whole summer while he lived in the king's castle in Konin waiting for the news about next Polish retaliatory sally against Teutonic Knights. During Thirteen Years War (Wojna trzynastoletnia) (1454–1466) still against Teutonic Order there was a common recruitment in Poland in 1458. Every Polish town was bounded to put up a quantity of soldiers - this was a conspicuous sign of a power of a given town how much soldiers it had to put up. With regard to Konin it was 15 infantrymen (Poznań, the capital of Greater Poland was bounded to put up 60 ones, Kalisz - 30, nearby Słupca - 20, nearby Kłodawa - 20, Koło - 15).[4] It means Konin was still the town of medium size. Notwithstanding the development of a town went on, which is recorded in the significant development of handi-crafts and in the enlargement of the area of Starosty District of Konin. Since 1425 Konin was given a charter allowing for two fairs each year.

Renaissance

The 16th century, the golden age of the Polish Nation, was a time of significant, economic, political, military, cultural and territorial growth. Konin was no exception. A description of the town written in 1557 lists 8 butchers, 14 bakers, 21 shoemakers and 4 fishermen. In town there was also a brickyard and a mill. Since 1504 the Kurów village was incorporated to town itself in spite of the fact it was situated on the other river bank than the main body of the town. During the time of Reformation the starost of Konin was Jakub Ostroróg - person of merit with regard to hawking about the very idea of Reformation and well disposed to apostates.[4] Local parish-priest Stanisław Lutomirski was an eminent devotee of Reformation - it was he, who put into the matter of fact an amazing history of Reformation in the region of Konin. We can compare the power of towns of Eastern Greater Poland taking into account so called 'Szos' - it means global town's tax calculated along earnings and possessions of townspeople. Konin was obliged to pay 32 zlotych (Poznań (the capital of Greater Poland) - 1400 zlotych, Kalisz - 230 zlotych, nearby Słupca- 96 zlotych, both Koło and Pyzdry - 64 zlotych).[5] It means, that Konin was one of the smallest towns at that time.

17th century

At the very beginning of 17th century there was a notable development of textile industry in Konin. In 1616 there were over 30 cloth workshops in town. About the 1630s conspicuous decline of the town began. The situation of Konin was not a special on the background of the whole Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (Rzeczpospolita Obojga Narodów). In the 17th century, epidemics, fires and war with Sweden (see: Deluge (history)) brought about the decline of the country, of region and of the town of Konin itself. In 1628 a plague went off which lasted for three years decimating population of the town. To counteract the disaster, a charter was bestowed by the king Władysław IV in 1646, confirming that the town was allowed for two fairs a year and, in addition, ensuring every merchant willing to attend the fairs of special personal protection given for granted by the soldiers of the king. In 1652 an edict was issued by a Starost according of which Scottish community in Konin was allowed to erect their breweries and to brew beer. In 1655 great war with Sweden went off - so called Deluge (history).[5] In 1656, as a result of The Siege of Konin in 1656 and occupation by Swedish army the town was deteriorated, devastated and damaged. (see also paragraphs below, namely The Castle in Konin and The Town Walls of Konin) In 1659 it was jotted down than from 127 houses which stood in Konin before the war only 25 remained.[5] The next outburst of plague in 1662 significantly worsened tragic situation of the town. On the turn of 17th century the town which had been previously thriving was hardly larger than a mere village and the population of it was not larger than 200 people.[5]

18th century

18th century began with the turmoil of Great Northern War (III Wojna Północna). In 1707 the town of Konin was severely devastated again. It took the whole 18th century to restore it.[5] Second half of the century was a time of advanced crisis and, in consequence irreversible decline of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (Rzeczpospolita Obojga Narodów) ended up in the Partitions of Poland and in loss of national independence. Territory of Poland was divided into three parts between three, powerful neighbouring countries, namely Russia, Prussia and Austria. Three Partitions of Poland took place respectively in 1772, 1793 and 1795. As consequence of the second one in 1793, Konin was incorporated to Prussia - it was the end of role of Konin as a king's town. Population of the town equalled 780 people then, there were 165 houses there with only one made of brick. Inhabitants earned their living in agriculture and in handi-crafts. Amongst craftsmen 22 shoemakers constituted the majority. There were also 13 potters and 8 furriers. Each year 8 fairs took place together with round-up of cattle.[5] There were four main national groups in Konin at that time, namely Poles, Jews, Germans and Scottish people.[6] It is known that Konin joined first Polish insurrection, namely Kościuszko Uprising (Insurekcja Kościuszkowska) in 1794 - the very act of joining is recorded in town's books form that time. The town was being taken over by Polish rebeliants several times e.g. in September 1794 when soldiers of corps of Jan Henryk Dąbrowski entered the town (Jan Henryk Dąbrowski is the main of few persons mentioned in Polish national anthem - so called Dąbrowski's mazurka). In 1796 the town was damaged in fire.[7]

19th century

19th century started with general, European commotion of Napoleonic Wars. Eastern Greater Poland with region of Konin itself did not escape it. In the very beginning of 19th century Księstwo Warszawskie (Duchy of Warsaw) was created as Polish autonomous region entirely dependent on Napoleon I Bonaparte. Napoleonic Wars could arise great hope of Poles to regain the independence of their country and they supported Napoleon enthusiastically. And so, on 9 November 1806 Poles taken over the control over Konin. New management of the town was organised in a hurry, town's cash-box and ware-houses were provided-for. In 1807 the town was formally included to boundaries of Księstwo Warszawskie (Duchy of Warsaw) .[7] The collapse of Napoleonic Empire after la Grande Armée attacked Russia ended up in the establishment of the new order in Europe, in Polish territories and in the town of Konin as well. Great European rulers met in Vienna in 1815 to discuss the subsequent political changes on the continent. According to conclusions and decrees of The Vienna Congress, Russia was given the majority of territories belonging formerly to Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (Rzeczpospolita Obojga Narodów). Since 1815 Konin was incorporated to Russia as a part of Królestwo Kongresowe (Congress Poland) - pseudo-autonomous region entirely dependent on Russia and with Russian tzar as a head of this region. Konin became a capital of a region in Gubernya of Kalisz. That Konin's region encompassed of two counties, namely Konin County and Pyzdry County. It means that from administrative point of view, region of Konin was the most westwardly advanced part of Russia. Never before and never after Russian territory spanned so far in the west. In 19th century since 1815 onwards, some kind of boom on the fields of trade and handicrafts was visible. The description of the town from 1820 stated that amongst 2456 of inhabitants, there were 161 craftsmen, 10 merchants and only 42 peasants.[7] Throughout the 19th century the population of Konin increased in number: in 1850 it equalled 4195 people, while in 1896 it reached 7391 people. In Comparison with nearby Koło (in 1896 population was 8800 inhabitants) or Turek (in 1896 population was 9900) Konin was still one of the smallest towns.[7] Fastly developing branch of industry in Królestwo Kongresowe (Congress Poland) was undoubtedly textile industry. In the 19th century nearby Łódź became one of the most significant textile industrial centres in the world. In 1820 there were only 12 cloth workshops and little factories in Konin - it means development of this branch of industry in Konin was weak. In 1830 Powstanie Listopadowe (November Uprising) broke out. Konin was not directly involved in this Polish uprising, but - as every Polish town - was forced to suffer from political and cultural consequences of its failure. Those political consequences were immense especially on the domain of authonomy of Królestwo Kongresowe (Congress Poland) from the main body of Russia and in access of Poles to higher offices in the country. Both were significantly diminished. Cultural consequences were even worse - systematic rusification was carried into effect in both primary, and secondary schools (not to mention universities, but there was no high school in Konin at that time). Polish language were no longer formal language of the country. In 1830s general regulation of the town of Konin was carried out - new streets and squares were traced, grounds for industry were prepared as foundations for further development of the town and old, shabby buildings were demolished.[7] In 1863 next Polish uprising, namely Powstanie Styczniowe (January Uprising) broke out. From its very nature it was spontaineous folk rebellion because there was no Polish, regular army at that time. In practice it meant that the social class interested most in results of that uprising was Polish gentry leading their own peasants, people belonging to feudal properties of given family of the gentry. Nevertheless the uprising was widely supported in society as well. The course of that uprising in the region of Konin was fierce. As much as several tens of battles and skirmishes took place near Konin and even in town itself. There are still many monuments and crosses commemorating battles and important events of this Insurrection in the region of Konin and in the town too. Repressions of the Tsarist authorities were even more severe than in the case of November Uprising from 1830. Continual fighting lasted for more than a year and ended up in the series of deeply spanning social changes and subsequent reforms undertaken by Russian government. It would be hard to say about industrial revolution in Konin as early as in 19th century, but industrial development of the town was conspicuous beyond any doubts. And so at the end of the century there were 2 factories producing machines and special tools for agriculture - the larger of them belonged to L. Reymond, the citizen of Switzerland who settled down in Konin for good. His factory was perfectly equipped with steam engine (12 horses-power) and own foundry of cast iron. Apart from those enterprises mentioned above there were yet 18 wind-mills, 4 tanneries, 4 workshops producing soap, 3 factories of vinegar, 2 small factories producing boilers, 2 breweries, 2 oil-mills, 1 factory of sparkling water, 1 distillery.[8]

20th century

The beginning of 20th century was the period of rapid development on the field of culture, education, social life and so on. Jewish Library in Konin was founded and became soon one of the best in the Gubernya of Kalisz. In fact, the quantity of books and general number of readers significantly exceeded similar libraries in Kalisz in spite of the fact, Kalisz was much larger urban area. Some worker's association were founded in Konin as well. In 1905, when a real revolution broke out in Polish industrial centres as Warsaw and Łódź there were some minor strikes and turmoil in Konin as well.[9] A branch of Polish Gimnastic Society "Sokół" (Sokol) was founded in Konin - it was quasi-military association aimed in maintaining teenagers in form to improve their health and to turn them easily into skilled soldiers in the case of possible, national uprising or in other kind of need. Similar Jewish and German associations followed it. Towarzystwo Muzyczne w Kaliszu Musical Society of Kalisz had as much as 72 members in Konin.[9] In 1908 the branch of famous Kaliskie Towarzystwo Wioślarskie Rowing-Club in Kalisz was founded in Konin. Its building with coat of arms of the club survived and one can still see it in The Old Konin, in Zofii Urbanowskiej street. In 1914 there were 95 members of that club.[9] In 1914 World War I broke out - not far from Konin battles of Russian and Prussian troops took place and soon the town was taken over by Prussian administration.

The economic situation of the town did not improve when Poland regained its independence in 1918 (see: Second Polish Republic). Living conditions of residents were still miserable. There was no network for distribution of water, and no sewers. The town did not benefit from the Industrial Revolution. The inter-war econonomic crisis was harshly felt. The situation did not begin to improve until the désenclavement of the town, thanks to the opening of the major railway Poznań-Warsaw, and the construction of the canal in the Gopło lake which relied on the Warta River, which borders the town.

Jews had represented 30% of Konin's population prior to the Second World War. During the war, Konin was part of the land annexed by Nazi Germany (Reichsgau Wartheland). In the town's surrounding forests, the Nazis carried out mass executions of Poles, mostly Jews. In August 1943, the Jews at the labour camp at Konin, led by Rabbi Joshua Moshe Aaronson, burned down the huts in the camp and tried to escape. Almost all of them were killed.[10] The town survivors published, in 1968, an extensive "Yizkor Book" (803 pages) in memory in the flourishing Jewish community: Mendel Gelbart, ed., Kehilat Konin: Bi-Feriḥatah uve-hurbanah (Tel Aviv). The book was written in Yiddish, Hebrew and English. A descendant of Konin Jews, Theo Richmond, wrote Konin: A Quest, the most extensive history of Jewish life in the town ever to appear in English. The majority of Jews in Konin were Mitnagdim, though two small communities of Hasidim lived within the Konin Jewish community, mostly adherents to Gerer Hasidism, with a small group of Aleksander Hasidim.[11]

Jewish community of Konin

The first written evidence of Jews settling in Konin dates to 1397. A wooden synagogue was built in 1763-1766. The current standing building was built in 1829. The first rabbi in Konin was Rabbi Amsterdam, between 1810-1849. In 1918, the first Jewish gymnasium was established. The community had a beit midrash, mikvaot, synagogues, a few praying halls (such as "Hevra Tehilim"), active youth movements, a library, a Jewish elementary school and a Jewish high school. In November 1941, 3000 Jews of Konin were murdered by the German SS in the forests of Kaziemesh (Kleczew), north of city. ref: Mendel Gelbart, ed., Kehilat Konin: Bi-Feriḥatah uve-ḥurbanah (Tel Aviv, 1968);

Castles

The castle was built of brick with some details made of sandstone (probably taken from nearby quarry from Brzeźno village) with the view of regular quadrangle. The main buildings were massive, octagonal watch-tower (put up in the south-east corner of the whole structure), and a kind of great hall (on the west side of the structure). The castle was encircled with a double wall and a moat adjoining to town wall. In the middle of 17th century it was partly damaged by Swedish army during Deluge (history) and then abandoned to the slow decay. In 19th century the derelict was taken apart and demolished (last larger parts disappeared probably between 1844–1855). Today there are no remains of the king's castle itself, except the name of the square situated approximately in the same place where former castle had stood, namely The Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy) [3] Another castle in Konin in Gosławice district (former Gosławice village) was erected in 15th century and restored in the 1980s.

Ancient town walls

The construction of the town walls started (as in the case of the castle) in the second half of 14th century. They encircled the town as a defence line especially from the south, east and partly from the west side. The line of walls was never closed. There was no need to do it because of Warta river and its nearby marshy grounds and bogs - earthworks and retrenchments wrere good enough there. On the north side of the town there was a Toruńska Gatehouse (Brama Toruńska) just in front of the crossing of the river. On the south side was Kaliska Gatehouse (Brama Kaliska) - both named after two main towns, the destination points for merchants travelling through Konin. Town walls were strengthened by a chain of rectangular towers (with three walls, that means opened from inside of the town) creating bastion-like structures put forward out of the line of the wall itself. These fortifications were seriously damaged during Deluge (history), especially in The Siege of Konin in 1656. They were never repaired and restored afterwards, so on the turn of 18th century the authorities of the town decided to take them apart, to deconstruct and demolish if necessary. Last conspicuous parts disappeared after 1816. Nowadays there are no remains of the town walls in Konin.[12]

Architectural landmarks

Konin County (Powiat Koninski) contains examples of Romanesque architecture; Gothic architecture; Renaissance architecture; Mannerism and Manneristic architecture; Baroque architecture; Rococo art; architecture of XVIII-th century: Classicism; architecture of XIX-th century: Neogothic, Neoromanesque, Neoclassicism, Eclecticism; architecture of XX-th century: Modernism, Nazi architecture, Socialist Realism, Post-modernism. Because of its strategic geographical situation, remains of the Defence Line of 'Poznań' Army, including reinforced concrete bunkers, can be seen near Konin.

The town of Konin is split up into two historical parts - Stary Konin (The Old Town), situated on the south bank of Warta River and Nowy Konin (The New Konin), outspread northwards from the river and built up mainly after 1945.

There are several examples of Postmodernism and postmodernist architecture in Konin. We can find in the town a few newly built buildings with predominance of postmodernist features, but there are much more examples of building, houses and so on being rebuilt and refurbished partly and thus having conspicuous postmodernist character of its elements built in or inset as a part of larger entity belonging to older styles in architecture, mainly Socialist Realism (on average in New Konin) or Eclecticism (usually in The Old Town). Ten kilometres from Konin in Licheń Stary there is huge monastery with numerous churches and great basilica, an example of Catholic ecclesiastical Postmodernism in Poland.

PTTK (Polish Tourist Country-Lovers' Society)

Local branch of PTTK (Polish Tourist-Sightseeing Society, Polish Tourist Country-Lovers' Society) is very active in Konin.[13]

From a cultural point of view the situation of Konin county and Konin town itself is unique. The town is situated in the very point of junction of great geographic and historic lands, namely Greater Poland, Cuiavia, Mazovia, Łódzki Region. Westwards from Konin is the area belonging to that major part of Greater Poland, being, as a result of the Partitions of Poland, for over a hundred years (from 1793 to 1918) under the rule of Prussia. The region of Konin, being itself the part of Greater Poland as well, was detached from the main body of it and became the part of Russia. Going north-eastwards from Konin is the Cuiavia region. Going eastwards from Konin, beyond boundaries of Konin county but still within the administrative boundaries of Greater Poland, the characteristic features of Mazovia region prevail. Going south-eastwards from Konin are both geographical and cultural features belonging rather to Łódzki region than to Greater Poland.

In Konin County (Powiat Koninski) there are traces and monuments of many national minorities living in Poland: Jews, Scots, Germans, Frenchmen, Russians, Romanis, Czechs, Swiss people, so called Olenderska community, Vietnamese, Chinese, Romanians, Negroes. (Information about Scots derived from lectures given in Miejska Biblioteka Publiczna by Mr. Jerzy Łojko).

Konin is one of the main towns in Greater Poland on the Scottish Trail - the route leading through urban areas in Greater Poland and Lower Silesia connected with Scottish communities that settled in Poland in the course of history.[14]

Gallery

Education

Sports

Greenpeace Climate Rescue Station

Greenpeace chose the town to set up its Climate Rescue Station. A four story energy self sufficient globe replica was erected beside the Jozwin IIB open-cast coal mine. The location of the Rescue Station was intended to draw attention to Poland's over-reliance on coal and formed part of Greenpeace's campaign to get its message across at the United Nations' Climate Change Conference in nearby Poznań.[1] The presence of Greenpeace was generally well received by locals who came in the hundreds to participate in activities and listen to lectures about the environmental situation.[2] The Rescue station moved to Poznań following its stay at Konin.

Politics

Members of Parliament (Sejm) elected from Konin constituency

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Poland

Twin towns — Sister cities

Konin is twinned with:

Notable residents

Further reading

References

  1. ^ Central Statistical Office, Poland (PDF). Area and Population in the Territorial Profile. http://www.stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xbcr/gus/PUBL_powierzchnia_ludnosc_teryt_2007.pdf. 
  2. ^ Piotr Maluśkiewicz, Województwo konińskie - szkic monograficzny, p.82
  3. ^ a b c Piotr Maluśkiewicz, Województwo konińskie - szkic monograficzny, p.83
  4. ^ a b Piotr Maluśkiewicz, Województwo konińskie - szkic monograficzny, p.84
  5. ^ a b c d e f Piotr Maluśkiewicz, Województwo konińskie - szkic monograficzny, p.85
  6. ^ Edward hr. Raczyński, Wspomnienia z Wielkopolski, p.234
  7. ^ a b c d e Piotr Maluśkiewicz, Województwo konińskie - szkic monograficzny, p.86
  8. ^ Piotr Maluśkiewicz, Województwo konińskie - szkic monograficzny, p.86-87
  9. ^ a b c Piotr Maluśkiewicz, Województwo konińskie - szkic monograficzny, p.87
  10. ^ Martin Gilbert, 'The Holocaust' (1986), pages 597-598
  11. ^ Theo Richmond, Konin, p.209
  12. ^ Piotr Maluśkiewicz, Województwo konińskie - szkic monograficzny, p.83-84
  13. ^ PTTK Oddzial w Koninie - Meetings of members and lovers of PTTK Konin take place every Thursday after 6.30 p.m. in a base (except holidays on, as it follows: 1–3 May, 15 August, 1 November, 11 November, 25–26 December, 1 January. With regard to changeable holidays e.g. Easter and Boże Ciało, please contact Polish Embassy at your place to get information about the dates). The address of the base: ul. Kolejowa 11 (Kolejowa Street no. 11), 62-510 Konin, Poland.
  14. ^ Jerzy Łojko, Szlak Szkocki (Scottish Trail), p.11

External links

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