Chęciny

For other places with the same name, see Chęciny (disambiguation).

Chęciny
Chęciny Castle
Coat of arms
Chęciny
Coordinates: 50°48′10″N 20°28′2″E / 50.80278°N 20.46722°E / 50.80278; 20.46722
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	Świętokrzyskie
County	Kielce
Gmina	Chęciny
Area
– Total	14.12 km2 (5.5 sq mi)
Population (2006)
– Total	4,252
– Density	301.1/km2 (779.9/sq mi)
Postal code	26-060
Website	http://www.checiny.pl

Chęciny [xɛnˈt​͡ɕinɨ] ( listen) is a town in Kielce County, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland, with 4,252 inhabitants (2006).

The town is first mentioned in historical documents from 1275. It obtained its city charter in 1325. The most important sight in the town is the royal castle built in the late 13th or early 14th century on the Castle Hill above the town. It fell into ruin in the 18th century and remains in that state to this day.

The town had a Jewish community and it had been the center of the Hasidic Chentshin dynasty, (Chęciny being pronounced as "Chentshin" in Yiddish.) The notable Haredi leader and scholar in Israel, Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman's family originated in Chentshin.

Chęciny seen from the castle

See also

• Nearby Jaskinia Raj (Paradise Cave)

Coordinates: 50°48′10″N 20°28′02″E / 50.80278°N 20.46722°E / 50.80278; 20.46722