Konin is situated in central Poland, in the east of Wielkopolska, on the river Warta. Wielkopolska (“Grand Poland”) is the oldest Polish region, dating back to the beginnings of the Polish state. Konin, which guarded river crossing on the river, was proclaimed a town on Magdeburg law around 1293. The town’s history reflects Poland’s history. For centuries Konin was the administrative and economic center with actively developing handicraft. It was also an important cultural and religious center. Epidemics and wars of 17. century and the loss of independence of 18. century depopulated Konin and handicapped its development. In mid-20.century powerful industrialisation trends changed town and its agricultural region. In 1950 Konin’s population was 12.145 people, in 1960 it was 17.638, in 1970 it was 40.744 people. Now Konin has 81.266 inhabitants and an area of 82 square kilometers. Since 1950s , due to a city-planning concept, Konin has been divided into two parts, each on either bank of the river. Konin still is an administrative and cultural center of the region. It is the seat of grodzki administrative district and the capital of ziemski administrative district.
There are numerous organisations and institutions popularising culture and arts and supporting artists. The most important cultural events in the town calendar are: International Children Song and Dance Festival, National Amateur Film Review, National Piano Competition for Schools of Music, National Poetical Competition for the “Milestone” Prize. The town’s inhabitants have an opportunity to practice various sports (e.g. football, cycling, handball, fencing, basketball, boxing, swimming, chess, karate) in modern locations (swimming pools, water resorts, stadiums, sports halls (some are adapted for the disabled), fencing hall, sports fields, tennis courts). Also fitness gyms, saunas, biological revival centers offer plenty of ways to relax and keep fit.
A dozen km north of Konin an area of lakes with well-developed tourist infrastructure stretches, called “Small Mazury.” Lakes: Mikorzyńskie, Wąsowskie, and Ślesińskie create a water route which runs straight to Kruszwica through Lake Black, Ślesiński Channel and Gopło Lake. From Mikorzyńskie Lake Konin can be reached via Lake Pątnowskie and Morzysławski Channel. Wilczyńkie, Szyszyńskie, and Budzisławskie lakes are some more beautiful nature spots.
All lakes offer perfect conditions for angling, windsurfing, scuba diving, canoeing, sailing, or motor-boating. The lakes, surrounded by woods, rich in many rare species of fauna and flora, make this area particularly attractive. There is “Lake Gopło Millenium Park” (Nadgoplański Park Tysiąclecia) in the north of the district. There is “Mielno Flora Park”, rich in birch trees, not far from Lake Gosławickie, on the edges of Kazimierz Forest. In Warta valley is situated “Warta Landscape Park” (Nadwarciański Park Krajobrazowy) also with a great variety of fauna and flora. The so-called “Golden Mountain Hills” (Pagórki Złotogórskie) and Kazimierz Forest are the most attractive hiking and cycling routes. In the old part of Konin there is Chopin’s Park with a mini-zoo, one of the oldest municipal parks in the country. Saint Mary Sanctuary in Licheń Stary is yet another attraction.
The rich and meaningful past of Konin demonstrate its monuments and places of historical interest:
– Saint Bartłomiej’s Church - erected in 14/15. centuries, three-aisled, on a basilica plan, with neo-gothic and baroque elements;
– Saint Andrew the Apostle’s Church in Glosławice and Gosławice Castle (now accommodates District Museum in Konin), which dates back to the first half of 15. century. the Synagogue - erected in 1825-1829, thanks to the fund of a Konin trader, Zalman Zander;
– the Reformat Order Monastery – built in 1631 on the Chwaliszewo grounds;
– Skansen (an ethnographic museum in the open air with authentic buildings and equipment) in Mrówki, near Wilczyn – dates back to 13/14. centuries;
– Ciążeń Palace – dates back to 18. century, an archbishop’s former seat, at present accommodates Creative Work Home and a division of The Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań Library;
– Cistercian Monastery complex in Ląd – European architectural jewel;
– Camedolite Monastery in Bieniszew – dates back to 18. century;
– 12. century church and 16. century Bernardine Monastery complex in Kazimierz Biskupi.
English version