Wołczyn () is a town in Kluczbork County, Opole Voivodeship, southern Poland, with 5,907 inhabitants . According to 2011 data, it covers , and is the seat of Gmina Wołczyn. It is located within the historic region of Lower Silesia.

Geography

History

The name of the town is derived from the Polish word wół, which means "ox". In the early 14th-century Liber fundationis episcopatus Vratislaviensis the town appeared under the Latinized name Welczyn. The town was probably founded on the site of a former Slavic settlement. A new settlement under town rights was granted to knight Kuntzo, brother of Ulrich, in 1261. It was part of various duchies of fragmented Poland. Until 1294 it was part of the Duchy of Wrocław, afterwards the Duchy of Głogów until 1312, Duchy of Namysłów until 1320, Duchy of Oleśnica until 1343, Duchy of Brzeg until 1436 and afterwards the Duchy of Oleśnica again. It remained under the rule of the Piast dynasty until 1495, and afterwards, for about 300 years, the town was owned by the magnate Posadowski family, From 19 to 21 January 1945, fights were fought for the town between Nazi Germany and the Soviets.

The Polish anti-communist resistance was active in Wołczyn, and in 1945 it raided a local communist police station. The Młodzieżowa Armia Krajowa (Youth Home Army) and Nadzieja (Hope) resistance organizations operated in Wołczyn.

Since 1994, the town has hosted an annual "Spotkania Młodych" (Meeting of Youth). It is organized by the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.

Twin towns – sister cities

See twin towns of Gmina Wołczyn.

References

  • http://www.wolczyn.pl/
  • Jewish Community in Wołczyn on Virtual Shtetl