Mińsk Mazowiecki facts for kids

Quick facts for kids

Mińsk Mazowiecki

Aerial view of Mińsk Mazowiecki

Flag	Coat of arms

Mińsk Mazowiecki

Location in Poland

Country

Poland

Voivodeship

Masovian

County

Mińsk

Gmina

Mińsk Mazowiecki (urban gmina)

Established

14th century

Town rights

1421, 29 May

Area

• Total

13.12 km² (5.07 sq mi)

Elevation

147 m (482 ft)

Population

(2020)

• Total

40,999

• Density

3,124.9/km² (8,094/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postal code

05-300, 301, 303

Area code(s)

+48 025

Car plates

Website

http://www.minsk-maz.pl

Mińsk Mazowiecki is a town in eastern Poland. In 2020, about 41,000 people lived there. It is part of the Masovian Voivodeship and is close to Warsaw, Poland's capital city. Mińsk Mazowiecki is also the main town of Mińsk County. It's located about 38 kilometers (24 miles) from the center of Warsaw.

What's in a Name? The Story of Mińsk

The name Mińsk comes from the Mienia River. The river's name comes from an old Polish word, mienić, which means 'to shine'. The second part of the name, Mazowiecki, tells us that the town is connected to the historical region of Mazovia. This helps people know it's different from Minsk, the capital city of Belarus.

Where is Mińsk Mazowiecki Located?

Mińsk Mazowiecki is in the historical region of Mazovia. It's in the eastern part of the Masovian Voivodeship. The town is about 37 kilometers (23 miles) east of Warsaw's city center. It's also only about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Warsaw's edge.

A Quick Look at Mińsk Mazowiecki's History

People first mentioned a settlement here in the 14th century. It was a place where people traded goods. On May 29, 1421, Duke Janusz I of Warsaw gave Mińsk special town rights. This was a big step for the settlement.

The first wooden church was built in 1422, but it no longer exists. In 1549, another town called Sendomierz grew up nearby. Later, in 1695, Sendomierz joined with Mińsk. The 18th century was a difficult time for Mińsk, as the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth faced challenges.

Mińsk Under Different Rulers

After Poland was divided in 1795, Austria took control of the town. But after a Polish victory in 1809, Mińsk became part of the Duchy of Warsaw. This duchy was a short-lived Polish state. In 1815, it became part of Congress Poland, which was controlled by Russia.

During the November Uprising in 1831, Polish fighters battled Russian troops in Mińsk. These battles happened on April 26 and July 14.

Growth and Change in the 19th Century

In 1866, the Mińsk County was created. The first train arrived in Mińsk that same year, connecting it to the Warsaw–Terespol Railway. In 1867, the town's name changed to Nowomińsk. The Dernałowicz Family became the last private owners of the town in 1870. The first bookstore in eastern Mazovia opened in Mińsk in 1886.

The 20th Century and Beyond

Around 1910-1912, the Maria Grochowska's School opened. In 1914, the old church was reopened after being rebuilt. The town's hospital opened the following year.

Garrison of the 7th Lublin Uhlan Regiment in 1935

During World War I, German forces occupied Mińsk from 1915 to 1918. In 1916, the town was renamed Mińsk Mazowiecki. In 1918, Poland became independent again, and Mińsk was back under Polish control.

During the Polish–Soviet War in 1920, Russian forces briefly occupied the town. But Polish forces quickly recaptured it the next day. Marshal Józef Piłsudski, a famous Polish leader, even stayed in the town on August 18, 1920. Mińsk Mazowiecki grew a lot between the World Wars. In 1937, the first electric train arrived. The 7th Lublin Uhlan Regiment, a military unit, was based here. Today, there's a museum in town dedicated to this unit.

World War II and After

On September 13, 1939, the Battle of Mińsk Mazowiecki took place. Polish forces, led by General Władysław Anders, fought against the invading German army. After this battle, the town came under German occupation. Many Poles were forced to move here from other parts of Poland.

In October 1940, the Germans created the Mińsk Mazowiecki Ghetto. This was a place where Jewish people were forced to live. On July 21, 1942, the ghetto was closed down. Most of the Jewish residents were tragically sent to the Treblinka extermination camp and sadly killed. This was part of the terrible events of the Holocaust. Some brave Poles who helped Jewish people were freed from the local prison by the Polish resistance.

On July 30, 1944, the Polish underground Home Army freed Mińsk Mazowiecki. However, Soviet forces occupied the town the very next day. After the war, Mińsk was returned to Poland, but with a communist government. This government stayed in power until the 1980s.

ZNTK Mińsk Mazowiecki between 1954 and 1974

In 1952, the ZNTK Mińsk Mazowiecki factory, which builds and repairs trains, was founded. Mińsk Mazowiecki became a military base in 1957. A new train station opened in 1979. In 1985, events related to the Solidarity movement took place. In 1990, Zbigniew Grzesiak was chosen as Mayor in the first free elections after World War II. The Mińsk County was re-established in 1999.

Jewish History in Mińsk

Memorial to the local Holocaust victims

In 1768, Jewish people were allowed to live permanently in Mińsk. From the 19th century until the 1930s, the Jewish community grew a lot. Before World War II, thousands of Jewish people lived in Mińsk. They had a main synagogue and smaller places of worship. The Novominsk Hasidic dynasty, a Jewish religious group, started here in the late 1800s.

Sadly, during World War II, the Germans created the Mińsk Ghetto. On July 21, 1942, it was closed. Most of the Jewish people were sent to the Treblinka extermination camp and tragically killed. The remaining Jewish people were killed in Mińsk in 1943.

Historic Places to See in Mińsk Mazowiecki

Historic churches in Mińsk Mazowiecki

Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

Mariavite Church

Mińsk Mazowiecki has many interesting historical sites:

The old layout of the medieval town.
The Palace of the Doria Dernałowicz Family: This palace was likely built in the 17th century. It was later changed to the classicism style. It also has a beautiful park.
The Church of the Nativity of The Blessed Virgin Mary: Built in the 17th century, this church was later updated in the neo-baroque style. It has lovely interior decorations and a cemetery.
The old and new county halls, both from the 19th century.
The post office, also from the 19th century.
The church of the Mariavite Church, built in 1911.
Many residential buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Jewish cemetery.
Some school buildings from the early 20th century.

What is the Economy Like?

Stylowa Hotel and Restaurant

Mińsk Mazowiecki has a busy economy with different types of businesses:

Trade: You can find large stores like Carrefour, many supermarkets, and other shops. There's also a market.
Services: The town has ten banks, many fast-food places, pubs, and restaurants. There are three hotels, construction companies, car repair services, and satellite communication businesses.
Industry:
- ZNTK "Mińsk Mazowiecki" (now part of PESA SA) works on maintaining and repairing trains.
- Fabryka Urządzeń Dźwigowych makes cranes and other heavy machines.
- Other industries include cotton products, yachts, shoes, and foil.

How Many People Live Here?

Mińsk Mazowiecki has grown a lot over the years.

Age / Gender	Number	Total
Male 0–18	3,978	7,618
Female 0–18	3,640	7,618
Men 18–65	12,283
Women 18–60	12,496
Work-age		24,779
Retired men	1,572
Retired women	3,560
Retired-age		5,132
All		37,529

Year	Number	Year	Number
16th century (second half)	3,500-4,000	1660	1,000
1777	456	1827	750
1880	2,940	early 20th	4,771
1910	5,794	1921	10,689
1939	15,103	1945	10,500
1971	24,700	1992	34,000
1995	35,068	2000	35,761
2006	37,529

Learning in Mińsk Mazowiecki: Education

Art school

The town has many schools and learning centers:

Józef Majka College of Social Science (a Catholic college)
Stanisław Staszic Lifelong Learning Center
University of Third Age (for older adults)
Polska Macierz Szkolna Gymnasium and High School
Salesian Elementary, Gymnasium and High School (Catholic schools)
Kazimierz Wielki Professional High School
Powstańcy Warszawy Professional High School
High School of Economy
Maria Skłodowska-Curie High School
Three public gymnasiums
Four public elementary schools
Over ten preschools (six of them are public)
A special school for children with specific needs
A clinic for psychological and educational support

Local Government and Services

19th-century County Hall

Mińsk Mazowiecki is home to several important offices:

Regional Bureau of Environmental Protection Inspection
Point of Conscription (for military service)
Above Forester Bureau (Nadleśnictwo Mińsk)
County, city, and local government offices

Keeping Mińsk Mazowiecki Safe

The town has important services to keep everyone safe:

The Police Department of Mińsk County has two buildings and many cars.
The Fire Department of Mińsk County has modern fire engines.
The Public Hospital of Mińsk County provides healthcare.

Fun and Culture: Sports and Arts

Dernałowicz Palace, now housing the Culture Center

Museum of the 7th Lublin Uhlan Regiment

Municipal Public Library

Culture

The House of Culture hosts many events.
There is a School of Art.
The town has two libraries and two museums.
You can also enjoy movies at the Cinema.
Several magazines are published in Mińsk.

Sports

The Miejski Ośrodek Sportu i Rekreacji (public sport and recreation department) has two stadiums and an ice rink.
The Mazovia-ZNTK club has a football team and other sports teams.
There are also other sports clubs in town.

Places of Worship: Religions

St. Anthony Church

Mińsk Mazowiecki has several religious communities:

The Roman Catholic Church has four parishes and other groups.
The Mariavite Church has one parish.
There is one Baptist congregation.
There is one Mennonite congregation.

Getting Around: Public Transport

Train Station: There are regular train services to Warsaw (39 trains daily in one direction). You can also find direct connections to many other cities in Poland and even to Moscow.
Bus Services: Two regular bus services connect Mińsk Mazowiecki to Warsaw.

How the Land is Used

The total area of Mińsk Mazowiecki is about 13.12 square kilometers (5.07 square miles). Here's how the land is used:

Residential areas (homes): 30%
Industrial areas (factories): 6%
Communication (roads, railroads): 15%
Agricultural land (farms): 29%
Parks: 5%
Other uses: 15%

Historical Parts of the City

Anielina

Mińsk Mazowiecki is made up of older towns and villages that joined over time:

Mińsk: The original old town.
Sendomierz: Founded in 1549, it joined Mińsk in 1695.

Some areas were built as part of Mińsk:

Nowe Miasto – Miasto Ogród (New Town – Garden Town): Founded in 1936.
Modern estates built after 1945.

Villages that became part of Mińsk:

Kędzierak (joined partly in 1954 and fully in 1984)
Stankowizna (joined in the 19th or 20th century)
Anielina (joined around the same time as Kędzierak)
Górki (joined in the 18th century)
Goździk (joined during World War I)
Kolonia Stasinów (joined in 1936)
Pohulanka (joined partly in 1936)
Sewerynów (joined around the same time as Kędzierak)

Military Presence

Mińsk Mazowiecki has a military presence:

Military police
The 23rd Air Base, which has MIG-29 aircraft.

Friendship Across Borders: Twin Towns

Mińsk Mazowiecki has "twin town" relationships with several cities around the world. These friendships help people from different countries learn about each other's cultures.