Odolanów

Odolanów
Statue of Saint Martin

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Coat of arms
Odolanów
Coordinates: 51°34′N 17°40′E / 51.567°N 17.667°E / 51.567; 17.667
Country  Poland
Voivodeship Greater Poland
County Ostrów Wielkopolski
Gmina Odolanów
Area
 • Total 4.76 km2 (1.84 sq mi)
Population (2006)
 • Total 4,960
 • Density 1,000/km2 (2,700/sq mi)
Postal code 63-430
Climate Cfb
Website http://www.odolanow.pl

Odolanów [ɔdɔˈlanuf] (German: Adelnau) is a town in the Greater Poland Voivodeship of Poland, about 10 kilometres (6 miles) south-west from Ostrów Wielkopolski, with over 5000 inhabitants.

History

The first written document that mentions Odolanów dates back to 1301 during the Piast dynasty, when the location hosted a castle on the border between Greater Poland (Wielkopolska) and Silesia (Śląsk). A settlement arose next to the castle, which acquired city rights in 1403 from King Władysław II Jagiełło.

In 1629 on the east side of the town king Sigismund III Vasa founded New Town called also Konstancja (name of second king's wife). Nowadays it is part of Odolanów named Górka. At the end of 17th century there were 18 shoemakers, 8 tailors, 3 millers, 3 tradesmen and 9 other craftsmen. The majority of the population were tilthing and breeding cattle.[1]

Until 1793, the town and surrounding villages belonged to princes, kings, or noblemen. Monarchs granted the land to various rich feudals as fief or land tenancy. During this time, Odolanów was constantly under the administrative influence of Kalisz.

In 1793 Odolanów became Prussian as a result of the partitioning of Poland, and shortly within the Duchy of Warsaw.

The citizens took part in the Spring of Nations fighting against better armed Prussians in the battle of Odolanów on 21 April 1848. They also supported January Uprising of 1863 delivering weapons and wear to insurgents.[2]

Despite the germanisation led by German Empire, Odolanów preserved its Polish character – in 1910 at least 72.5% of inhabitants were speaking Polish. In addition to Poles, Jews and Germans also lived there. The reminiscence about this multicultural society are Protestant church from 1780 and synagogue from 1835.[3]

In 1909 the rail connection between Odolanów and Ostrów Wielkopolski was opened.[4]

Important part of town history were occurrences shortly after World War I (Republic of Ostrów and Greater Poland Uprising). On 12 November 1918, as a result of November Revolution in Germany, Worker’s and Soldier’s Council was established in town. Some days later the citizens elected deputies to Polish Parliament in Prussian Partition (Polski Sejm Dzielnicowy). On 31 December 1918 Poles took power in Odolanów from Germans. Insurgents from Odolanów fought in Greater Poland Uprising, a. o. in the battle of Granowiec by night on 14/15 January 1918.[5] After World War I the town became part of the Second Polish Republic.

On 1 September 1939 Odolanów was quickly captured by Wehrmacht. German administration was using terror, many Poles were expropriated, killed or sent to concentration camps. The occupation in Odolanów was over on 22 January 1945, when Soviet tanks entered the town. However, some soldiers continued their resistance against Soviet dominance and the Stalinist government (cursed soldiers). On 22 October 1945 nearby Odolanów troop of Jan Kempiński, nom de guerre Błysk was smashed by Department of Security forces.[6]

People

References

  1. ↑ Franciszek Olszanowski Parafia Świętego Marcina w Odolanowie, Odolanów 1994
  2. ↑ Franciszek Olszanowski Parafia Świętego Marcina w Odolanowie, Odolanów 1994
  3. ↑ Józef Duczmal Kronika Odolanowa, Odolanów 2003.
  4. ↑ Józef Duczmal Kronika Odolanowa, Odolanów 2003
  5. ↑ Józef Duczmal Kronika Odolanowa, Odolanów 2003
  6. ↑ Dawny Powiat Odolanowski na starych pocztówkach 1887-1932, Raszków, 2012, red. Jacek Bartczak.

See also

Coordinates: 51°34′N 17°42′E / 51.567°N 17.700°E / 51.567; 17.700

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