Chmielnik

Description

photo Andrzej Pęczalski

The name of Chmielnik was recorded for the first time in 1241, following the unfortunate battle fought by the Małopolska region troops against Tartar invaders. The Polish lost it, but the locality continued to develop intensively and was soon bought by Jan Oleśnicki who managed to provide Chmielnik with municipal rights in 1551, during the reign of king Zygmunt II August, the last of the Jagiellonian dynasty. During the 16th and 17th centuries Chmielnik was an important Calvinist center. The town flourishes and the 17th century witnesses a considerable growth of Jewish population. In 1630, the town"s owner, Krzysztof Gołuchowski, grants Jews the  privilege of residence; they soon construct a synagogue, a school and go into business. It greatly boosted the town"s economy. The still existing walls of the synagogue built in 1638 show that the Jewish population of Chmielnik was large and played an important role in the local society. In the 18th century Chmielnik received a royal town status because the Commonwealth offered it to king Stanisław August Poniatowski. Following the Third Partition, Chmielnik went under the Austrian rule to be some time later included into the Warsaw Duchy and subsequently into the Kingdom of Poland. During all those years, the town grew and became the major social and economic center of the region. It was a very lively town till World War I, and an important trade center due to the omnipotent presence of its Jewish residents who constitutes two thirds of its total population. The Meetings with Jewish Culture festival has been organized in Chmielnik for the last few years, attracting more and more participants each year. Other historical buildings worth a visit in Chmielnik include the parish church of Our Lady the Immaculate (18th c.) and the late-Baroque church of the Holy Trinity (early 16th c.).

Tourist Information Point in Chmielnik
The Municipal Information Center
ul. 13 stycznia 17
26-020 Chmielnik
phone: +48 41 354 47 26
www.chmielnik.com

Informations can be obtained in The Regional Center of Tourist Information
ul. Sienkiewicza 29
25-007 Kielce
phone: +48 41 348 00 60
e-mail: informacja@swietokrzyskie.travel