Słupca

Infobox Settlement
name = Słupca
imagesize = 250px

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image_shield = POL Słupca COA.svg
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = bottom
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = POL
subdivision_type1 = Voivodeship
subdivision_name1 = Greater Poland
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Słupca County
subdivision_type3 = Gmina
subdivision_name3 = Słupca (urban gmina)
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Michał Pyrzyk
established_title = Established
established_date = 13th century
established_title3 = Town rights
established_date3 = 1290
elevation_min_m = 92
elevation_max_m = 96
area_total_km2 = 10.31
population_as_of = 2006
population_total = 14363
population_density_km2 = auto
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd = 52
latm = 18
lats =
latNS = N
longd = 17
longm = 52
longs =
longEW = E
postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = 62-400
area_code = +48 63
blank_name = Car plates
blank_info = PSL
website = http://www.miasto.slupca.pl Słupca [IPA-pl|'|s|ł|u|p|c|a] is a town in Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland, and the seat of Słupca County. It has 14,650 inhabitants (2006).

External links

* [http://www.miasto.slupca.pl/ Official town webpage]

Słupca is a town in Greater Poland District, Poland, and the seat of Słupca County, which comprises Rural and Urban Community. The town itself has 14,650 inhabitants (2006). In 1975-1998, when the number of districts was 48, the town was part of Koninskie District. Ater an administrative reform the Koninskie District incorporated into Greater Poland District. Henceforth, Slupca has become a county.

Historically, Slupca is an important community in Eastern Greater Poland, situated near A2 motorway, only 70 km east to Poznań. It's development and growth in importance would not be possible if it was not for its geographically-beneficial location in the centre of Poland.

History

Nov 15th, 1290 - Przemysł II, the Duke of Greater Poland, agrees that Slupca becomes a town

1296 - Slupca acquires town privillages again; this time however it is granted a range of new privillages. It is inhabited by about 1000 people

Nov 11th, 1314 r. Wladysław Łokietek grants Slupca a privillage to establish a mint and make coins

1331 - Slupca ridden and burnt by the Tutonic Order Knights

1375 - 1382 - defence walls of the length of 1100 metres under construction;

1454 - 1466 - the 13-years-war; the town of Slupca sends 20 knights so as other 9 biggest towns of Greater Poland do

the end of XV century- Slupca inhabited by about 2000 people

1655 - 1660 - a war with Sweden; the town looted several times

2nd Partiation of Poland - Slupca becomes part of Prussia (later Germany)

1794 - Slupca becomes a base for Kosciusko's Uprising

1815 The Vienna Congress - Kingdom of Poland created- Slupca becomes a part of Russia; at the turn of 18th and 19th century defence walls dismantled

19th century- economic upturn due to Slupca's localisation on the route to Berlin

1867 - the county of Slupca created

1922 - a railway link Kutno Strzalkowo is built; Slupca acquires railway connection with Warsaw and Poznan

1939 - 1945 - as a result of Natizis' occupation 1800 inhabitants of Slupca of Jewish origin are exterminated

1975 - an administrative reform; the town is incorporated into Konin District

January 1, 1999 - Slupca becomes a seat of a county for the 3rd time in history

Monuments

Churches

Churches have always played an important part in the town's history. A careful observer will notice that our coat of arms is built of five crosses, each of which symbolizes a shrine. A legend has it that there were once five different temples of different religions. Yet another argument that Slupca has always been renowned for it's tolerance. For instance, at the begging of the XXth century there were as many Jews living here as Poles- approximately each nation had a population of 2000 inhabitants. These days, however, the Orthodox church as well as the Synagoge are no longer in existence, partly due to changing winds of the XXth century.

Saint’s Laurence Church was, historically, Slupca’s first shrine. It was built in the middle of the 15th century by a bishop of Poznan. It is a Gothic temple constructed with the use of bricks and stones. It was built at the same place as the church from 1296, which had burnt. Traditionally, the temple is very much connected with the towns history and customs. Every summer there is a church fair associated with plenty of sporting, music and cultural events as well as concerts organised by the local authorities in the Town Park near Slupeckie Lake. On the western wall there is a plaque devoted to Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Polish partiot, and his bravery. Inside the church one can find a Gotish stoup. At the back of the tample there are defensive walls. At the beginning it was one of the seats of some bishops from Poznan diecese. The Slupecka parish was valued by the nobility. Again, thanks to the importance the shrine has to the inhabitants of Slupca they have always been willing to participate in it redecorations. Recently, we’ve observed this attitude in collecting money for the renovation of parish’s organs.

Saint’s Leonard Church was Slupca’s second church. It’s a wooden shrine built in the 16th century. Historically, it was located on the route from the Northern Poland to Kalisz. Inside there is a Renaissance altar with bas-relief ‘Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ and sculptures of Saint’s Leonard and John the Baptist. It’s got two tiny chapels: Northern and Southern. A valuable painting of Saint Leonard from 1460 can be found in the former. In the latter there is also a Gothic crucifix and a stone stoup. Today this is one of the most beautiful churches in Greater Poland and as such it is certainly worth visiting. Inside the church there is also a gravestone of a priest Jakub Basinski who used to be a parson of the parish. From the west there is also a magnificent a quadrilateral bell tower dating back to 1765.

The Church of the Blessed Bishop Michal Kozal was built at the turn of the XX and XXI century. It is a new temple built in a style far from that prevailing in the local shrines. The walls are plane, covered only with white paint. All the emphasis was placed on the altar, which is made of granite. Behind the altar the is a crucifx hung on another plane wall. As of 2006 the grounds surrounding the church have been announced to become the park of John Paul II. There are plans to plant a number of trees and make two sections for: practicing sports (northern part) and relaxation for those who prefer tranquillity (proximity of the church).

A Synagogue in Slupca is situated on the Boznicza 11 Street. It was built in 19th century. It was destroyed by Nazis during the Second World War. Then this building was converted into Municipality; later into a library. Today it is no longer in use. In 2005 the synagogue was handed over to Wroclaw Jews’ Community.

Education

Committee of the National Education Primary school is 81 years old. It was built by Franciszek Szczyglowski who was a local parson. Pupils stay here for six years and then chose a Junior High School they’d like to attend. The building neighbours with a High School. There is a statue of priest in front of the Primary School. Today there are 19 classrooms , 2 computer classroom, and a gym. There is also a common room and a library and reading room. Children have access to a canteen and a school shop. The educational institution has always had high reputation in the town. Experienced and well-motivated teachers are doing their best to cater for pupils needs. These days there is strong emphasis placed on teaching of modern languages, mainly English and German.

Nicolas Kopernik Junior High School was founded as recently as in 1999, however the building had existed for another 40 years as a Primary School. Pupils stay here for 3 years. It has it own logo with national colours and Greek columns. In the building one can find regular as well as computer classes, a canteen, a library and a gym.

Maksymilian Jackowski Technical Secondary School was founded in 1925. It is another school built by Franciszek Szczyglowski, a local parson. The educational institution offers 4 courses leading to the acquisition of the following titles: Technician of Economics; Technician of Trade; Technician of Logistics; Technician Gastronomics

Marszalek Pilsudski High School was built in 1921. It is situated next to the Primary School nr. 1. At the beginning, in 1921, there was a seminar. Education at the school last only 3 years. Pupils from the School are quite successful easily qualifying for major national universities. Moreover, they take part in a number of competition and generally achieve acclaim. There is a lot of extra activities and school ceremonies. Recently, due to the ‘Orange Revolution’ in Ukraine Poland is trying to support Ukrainian movement for democracy. Following government’s example local authorities have decided to support exchange of teachers and students between our countries. High School in Slupca offers 6 courses with the following majors: mathematics; natural science; humanities and English; mathematics and geography.

Apolinary Szeluto School of Music. Here local children have an opportunity to develop their musical skills as well as to gain professional musical education. Many dancing and self-improvement courses are organized in the building of the school. Also quite often there are concerts organized in recently-created concert hall.

Getting to Slupca

Slupca is a small town in Poland, but it’s readily available. You can reach it in a number of ways. For example, you can fly and land in Poznan Lawica: http://www.airport-poznan.com.pl/en/ or Warsaw Okecie Airport. Have a look at this website: http://www.e-lowcost.net/. When you have a poor grasp of Polish cities take a taxi and go to the railway station and then find out about connections. It is advisable to check it before you depart from your country: http://rozklad-pkp.pl/bin/query.exe/en?. If you land in Warsaw you may take an intercity train to Konin. And when you arrive in Konin, you can get a taxi or take a bus or change a train. If you decide to land in Poznan reaching Slupca is much easier, both because it's closer to the town and there are dircect bus or railway connections. It is important to have a map of Greater Poland . If you haven’t got it you can buy it in newsagent's. Should you have any problems it’s worth asking somebody.