Introducing Wrzesnia

Wrzesnia is a town, situated on an intersection of main highways, 50 kilometers east of Poznan. The town was chartered in the 14^th century (1357) but it had been mentioned as early as 1256. Wrzesnia is well-known as a site of two major historical events: The Battle of the village of Sokolowo, in which on the 2^nd of May 1848 soldiers under the leadership of Ludwik Mieroslawski routed the Prussian army; and the School Strike of 1901 in which 118 children protested the teaching of religions classes in German. This event has gone down in history as the Children's Strike of Wrzesnia.

After the Second World War, Wrzesnia became an important site in the Wielkopolska industrial center. From strong traditional ties, craft and private trade has also grown into a lively business.

The most important monuments of Wrzesnia are:

• the late-gothic Parish Church from the 15^th century, the interior of which was rebuilt on the baroque style,
• a wooden Chapel called Lipowka from the middle of the 17^th century,
• a Parish Cemetery by the Gnieznienska Street where one can find the graves of, among others, the soldiers of the Revolution of 1848 killed in the uprising of Wielkopolska and towndwellers murdered by Hitler's armies in 1939-1945. This cemetery is also the final resting place of General Roman Abraham, the leader of the Wielkopolska Cavalry Brigade who took part in the September campaign against the Nazis,
• the Children of Wrzesnia Park from the 18^th century with a palace dating from the 1870's. The park also boasts a statue of the famoust poet Maria Konopnicka,
• the Regional Museum, commemorating the Children's Strike in 1901.

Wrzesnia possesses interests of value to tourists, who can take advantage of its geographical location and with a well-developed tourist, sport and cultural base. First class camping can be found by Swietokrzyska Street. Near by one can find a stadium and tennis courts. The town's schools are well-equipped with large gymnasiums which host sports competitions. Wrzesnia News daily covers the cultural and political happenings in Wrzesnia. The Wrzesnia Cultural Center plans different cultural events including an outdoor summer theater season in the park's amphitheater. Surrounding Wrzesnia on all sides is a beautiful forest.

Wrzesnia is a very good starting point, from which to see an old, historical part of Wielkopolska.