Leszno, Warsaw West County

Coordinates: 52°16′N 20°36′E / 52.267°N 20.600°E / 52.267; 20.600
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For other places with the same name, see Leszno.
Leszno
Village
Łuszczewski Palace in Leszno
Łuszczewski Palace in Leszno
Coat of arms of Leszno
Coat of arms
Leszno is located in Poland
Leszno
Leszno
Coordinates: 52°16′N 20°36′E / 52.267°N 20.600°E / 52.267; 20.600
Country Poland
VoivodeshipMasovian
CountyWarsaw West
GminaLeszno
Population
3,500
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Vehicle registrationWZ
Primary airportWarsaw Chopin Airport
Websitehttp://www.gminaleszno.pl/

Leszno [ˈlɛʂnɔ] is a village in Warsaw West County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina (administrative district) called Gmina Leszno.[1] It lies approximately 15 kilometres (9 mi) west of Ożarów Mazowiecki and 28 km (17 mi) west of Warsaw.

Polish professional footballer Robert Lewandowski grew up in Leszno.[2] In 2016 he became an honorary citizen of Leszno.[2]

History[edit]

The history of Leszno dates back to the Middle Ages. It was mentioned in documents in 1423.[3] It was owned by various families, including the Łuszczewski family, which built a Baroque palace, which is the main landmark of the village.[3]

Several men from Leszno died in various battles against the invading Russians during the Polish–Soviet War of 1919–1920.[4] A memorial to those soldiers is located in the local Catholic Church of Saint John the Baptist.[4]

During the invasion of Poland, which started World War II, in early September 1939, the Germans captured Leszno.[5] On September 16, Poles recaptured the village for tactical purposes, while the Germans retreated in panic.[5] On September 17, the Germans occupied Leszno again, and carried out a massacre of around 50 inhabitants in an act of revenge.[6] Many men were transported to Błonie, from where they were to be deported to forced labor to Germany, but some managed to escape.[5] About 70% of the village was burned down.[5]

Sights[edit]

The main landmark of Leszno is the Baroque Łuszczewski Palace with an adjacent park. There are two historic churches, one Catholic and one Mariavite. In the village there is also a monument commemorating Polish soldiers, partisans and inhabitants killed during World War II.[3]

Sports[edit]

The local football club is Partyzant Leszno. Robert Lewandowski took his first steps in football in the club. It competes in the lower leagues.

Gallery[edit]

  • Architectural decorations on the facade of the Łuszczewski Palace
    Architectural decorations on the facade of the Łuszczewski Palace
  • Park
    Park
  • Saint John the Baptist church
    Saint John the Baptist church
  • Gmina office
    Gmina office

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Central Statistical Office (GUS) - TERYT (National Register of Territorial Land Apportionment Journal)" (in Polish). 2008-06-01.
  2. ^ a b "Robert Lewandowski honorowym obywatelem Leszna". ZachodnieMazowsze.info (in Polish). Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Wieś Leszno". Szlaki turystyczne Mazowsza (in Polish). Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  4. ^ a b Kowalski, Andrzej (1995). "Miejsca pamięci związane z Bitwą Warszawską 1920 r.". Niepodległość i Pamięć (in Polish) (2/2 (3)). Muzeum Niepodległości w Warszawie: 139. ISSN 1427-1443.
  5. ^ a b c d "79. rocznica spalenia Leszna". Stowarzyszenie Aktywne Leszno (in Polish). Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  6. ^ Wardzyńska, Maria (2009). Był rok 1939. Operacja niemieckiej policji bezpieczeństwa w Polsce. Intelligenzaktion (in Polish). Warsaw: IPN. p. 97.


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