Brzeszcze

Infobox Settlement
name = Brzeszcze

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imagesize = 250px
image_caption = Old municipality building
image_shield = POL Brzeszcze COA.svg
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = bottom
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = POL
subdivision_type1 = Voivodeship
subdivision_name1 = Lesser Poland
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Oświęcim
subdivision_type3 = Gmina
subdivision_name3 = Brzeszcze
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Teresa Jankowska
established_title = Established
established_date = 15th century
established_title3 = Town rights
established_date3 = 1962
area_total_km2 = 19.17
population_as_of = 2006
population_total = 11730
population_density_km2 = auto
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd = 50 | latm = 0 | lats = | latNS = N | longd = 19 | longm = 9 | longs = | longEW = E
postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = 32-620
area_code = +48 32
blank_name = Car plates
blank_info = KOS
website = http://www.brzeszcze.pl Brzeszcze [IPA-pl|'|b|ż|e|sz|cz|e] is a town in Oświęcim County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship in southern Poland, near Oświęcim.

It was founded in the 15th century and was owned by many rich Polish citizens, such as Dominik Gherri, the doctor of King Stanisław August Poniatowski. The citizens were mainly fishermen and farmers. The town grew because of the anthracite coal mine, which was founded in the beginning of the 19th century. During World War II the town was a stronghold of Polish resistance, helping the prisoners of Auschwitz concentration camp. Prisoners of Auschwitz were also housed in a sub-camp, called Jawischowitz, near the mine where they laboured. Conditions in the camp were worse than that of Auschwitz and many prisoners were killed through work, by the German civilian mine authorities, and the SS men. As of 2006, Brzeszcze has about 12000 citizens.

Economy

The economy of the town focuses on an anthracite coal mine "Brzeszcze-Silesia" which is the biggest employer in the region, and one of the biggest in Voivodeship.

port

* Górnik Brzeszcze - The club was found in 1922 by Polish refugees from Czech Republic. The main sponsor of the club was the "Brzeszcze" mine.

Famous citizens

* Arkadiusz Skrzypaszek, winner of two Olympic gold medals
* Włodzimierz Lubański, Polish footballer
* Beata Szydło, Polish politician
* Kazimierz Bielenin, famous Polish archeologist