Kutno

Geographical position

Kutno is located in the northern part of Łódź province and is 20 kilometres (12 miles) to the northwest of the geographical center of Poland.

According to data from 1 January 2009, the area of the town amounts to 33.59 square kilometres (12.97 sq mi).

According to the physical–geographic division of Poland, the town is placed on the western edge of Kutno plain, which is the part of Middle–Masovia macro region. At the south of Kutno plain, Kutno straddles the boundary of the Łowicko – Błońska plain, which belongs to the same region and the Kłodawa Upland plain, which spreads in the west, and is counted in the southern Greater Poland. To the north of the Przedecz – Gostynin line Kujawskie lakeland begins, which is included in the Greater Poland lakeland.

Kutno is located on the edge of four historical lands. Greater Poland, Kuyavia, Masovia and Łęczyca. It is located in what is virtually the center of Poland, at a point where geographical and historical borders, as well as in the crossing of communication lines, are of major importance to the development of the city.

Administrative divisions

Kutno has maintained the administrative units of a town (Districts, housing developments), although certain parts of the town are simply called housing developments (e.g.: Łąkoszyn housing development). These divisions are mostly historical references. For instance, the Łąkoszyn housing development is part of what remains of the town of Łąkoszyn town which was incorporated to Kutno.

The following parts of Kutno have been formulated in the National Register of Country's Administrative Division: Antoniew, Azory, Bielawki, Dybów, Kościuszków, Kotliska Małe, Łąkoszyn, Puśniki, Sklęczki, Stara Wieś, Stodółki, Walentynów, Wiktoryn, Żwirownia.

Customary Administrative Division of Kutno:

Dybów, Piaski, Rejtana, Tarnowskiego, Kościuszków, Olimpijska, Sklęczki, Łąkoszyn (New Łąkoszyn – houses and Old Łąkoszyn – housing development), Wenecja, Majdany, Grunwald, Batorego, Rataje (between Solidarność roundabout, Targowica and The Kutno House of Culture).

Climate

The climate of Kutno is similar to that of the entire lowland region of Poland. The temperature is influenced by continental and oceanic air flow patterns. Kutno is in the lowest zone of precipitation in Poland. It averages 550 mm (21.65 in) per year, but this can be significantly lower in some years. This is a problem for Kutno, exacerbated by low forest cover and intensive agriculture in the area. Kutno has about five storms during the year (about half of the national average). Snow falls, on average, 39 days in year. There are about 21 foggy days during the year in the municipal area. But near the Ochnia river fog occurs quite often. On average there are 50 sunny and 130 cloudy days every year. The wind comes mostly from the west, veering southwest in winter and northwest in summer.

July and August are the hottest months with average highs of 24 °C (75.20 °F). December and January and the coldest with average highs of 2 °C (35.6 °F) and lows of −3 °C (26.6 °F). July has the most rainfall with an average of 73mm and January has the least with 30mm.

Origin of the town

There are indications that the origin of the town may have taken place in the 12th century. The first mention of it was found in a document concerning an endowment of Łęczyca prepositure published due to a consecration of the collegiate church in Łęczyca in the year 1161.

According to the local folklore, both the town and the parish came into being in 1250, although official documentation to that effect is lacking. Most probably, the town began to be settled some time between the 12th and the 14th centuries; its name appeared for the first time in a document from the year 1301. The document had been published for his son Ziemysław by Leszek, Przemysł and Kazimierz – duke of Kuyavia in the presence of three estate dignitaries as well as other people gathered during a convention in Włocławek. References to Kutno concern the appearance of rector Michał from the church in Kutno on the list of witnesses. In 1386, Duke Siemowit the IVth had given to Andrzej de Kutno the privilege of freeing Kutno and Sieciechów villages from all charges and burdens excluding two coins (Groschen) out of every crop fee. The role of the provincial courts was transferred to the Duke. In 1386, the village of Kutno was given trade rights, and 46 years later, in 1432 a town charter. The first records that define Kutno as a town appeared in 1444.

1500–1938

1 July 1504: Mikołaj of Kutno gained the right to hold the St. Wawrzyniec fair, improving development of the town's trade. In 1701, the Kucieński family gave up Kutno to Anna Zamojska. The Zamoyski family fought amongst themselves for the property for a long time. The town fell into debt but the situation had normalized when Andrzej Hieronim Zamoyski became the owner of Kutno. During that time Kutno was a town of prosperity and development. The town's prestige increased after King Augustus III of Poland ordered the construction of the Postal Palace and consequently the Saxon Palace was built. It was constructed between 1750 and 1753 after a royal track leading from Dresden to Warsaw had been built. The palace was decorated with rich interiors according to John M Walter's plans. In 1753, Kutno was completely burned, resulting in the loss of the town records along with the settlement grant. After the fire, the King's Lord Councillor Andrzej Zamoyski left Kutno in order to obtain another settlement grant, however, the town suffered another fire due to a march-pass in 1774 and easygoing attitude of soldiers. In 1775, Andrzej Zamoyski sold Kutno to Stanisław Kostka Gadomski – governor of Łęczyca province. Under his reign, Kutno became one of the biggest settlements in central Poland. The Second Partition of Poland occurred in 1793. Kutno had been completely under Prussian control and became part of the newly created South Prussia provinces. The whole province of Kutno became part of the Łęczyca department, then after the Third Partition, it became part of the Warsaw department.

On 4 January 1807 Napoleon Bonaparte passed through Kutno. In 1807 due to a decision that had been made by Congress of Vienna, Kutno became part of the dukedom of Warsaw. An 1808 fire, most likely set by Napoleon's army, destroyed 180 houses. In 1809 Kutno was visited by Jan Henryk Dąbrowski. In 1826, the first town map was published due to the planned rebuilding of the town.

In 1840, a chapel was built which later became the Museum of the Battle of the Bzura river. Built in the Neo-Renaissance style and rotunda shape and crowned with a dome, it is part of the Wiosny Ludów park. It formerly served as a mausoleum for the Rzątkowski and Mniewski families. Another fire destroyed nearly all of the houses on Królewska St. Only two buildings remained – nowadays Crocantino and MDM. In 1844, the first hospital in Kutno was opened. Founder of the ground, many building materials and the main executioner was former owner of Kutno town – Feliks Mniewski. City Hall has been raised in 1845 in classicistic style. Building located by the Marshall Piłsudski square is currently residence of the Regional Museum in which one can see mementos and records depicting history of Kutno.

In 1862, the Warsaw – Bydgoszcz railway line opened, leading Kutno to become an important railway junction and a trade and industry center. Directly before and during the period of the January Uprising, Kutno was the seat of the head of the Gostynin province.

In 1867, Kutno district was formed. This state endured until World War I outbreak. Famous writer Szalom Asz was born in Kutno in 1880. In his collection of short stories "Miasteczko" ("The Town") author showed situation of Jewish people from his family town – Kutno. Once for two years town organises Festival of Jewish Culture named by the Szalom Asz which has a literature contest about his works within its framework. In 1886, on place of a former gothical church St. Wawrzyniec Church (designed in a neo – gothical style by Konstantyn Wojciechowski) has been built.

5 January 1904, the Polish writer Henryk Sienkiewicz stayed in Town's Theatre; which was the seat of Fire Brigade during that time. Income from lecture made by Nobel prize winner was given to the poor children in Kutno. At Wiosna Ludów park after the speech a ball had been made on which only men were allowed, other hand women could watch Sienkiewicz from unshuttered windows.

From 15 to 16 October 1914, the Battle of Kutno took place between the Russian and German armies. The Russians lost the battle and the loss of Kutno provided direct access to Warsaw. In 1915, local parish priest Franciszek Pruski was executed by firing squad. The St. John the Baptist church has a memory plate concerning the event.

Many Kutno inhabitants took part in the Polish-Bolshevik war, and were known as Lwów Eaglets. They also fought in the Siberian Division. After the war, hundreds of 15-year-old boys enlisted in the Army Mining Corps, today known as miner–soldiers.

From April 1919 to January 1921, Charles de Gaulle stayed in Kutno as an instructor of the French military mission under general Louis Faury's command. On 5 March 1938, Kutno received a blazon that depicts two wild boars placed on the yellow background which stays on their back paws and lean on green bulrush.

World War II

The Battle of The Bzura river took place from 9 to 12 September 1939. On 9 September the Poznań army operational group, led by General Edmund Knoll-Kownacki, attacked the German 8th army led by General Johannes Blaskowitz. On 11 September Poland's Pomorze Army reinforced the Polish troops in battle. At first the Polish assault was successful but the Germans reinforced their troops on 12 September and started to counterattack. General Tadeusz Kutrzeba ordered Knoll to retreat beyond the Bzura river. Kutno remained outside the battle area. Despite the ultimate defeat of Polish army, the Battle of the Bzura river made the Germans change their strategy and regroup and also delayed the capitulation of Warsaw.

On 16 September 1939 the German Wehrmacht moved into Kutno, bombarding trains, the railway station, and houses throughout the district. At the junction of what is now Kochanowski Street and Maja Street, a German saboteur laid down on the street as a target for the bombers which were bombing the railway station.

The area administratively became part of the Third Reich's Reichsgau Wartheland, within the district/county (kreis) of Kutno. In December 1939 resettlement began in accordance with Nazi racial and ethnic policies, which aimed to make the town population purely German. People were forced to leave their houses early in the morning with only an hour's notice and could take only 50 kg (110 lb) of baggage and a small amount of money. Displacement was very often carried out with violence. People were transported by trucks or wagons and then in sealed trains. The trip was up to eight days long, in terrible conditions. On 14 April 1940 most of the teachers from Kutno district were arrested. Few survived having had left their houses earlier or having been arrested.

Subsequently, the Germans founded the ghetto in Kutno on 15 June 1940. The entire area of a former sugar factory ("Hortensja" or "Konstancja" according to various sources) was surrounded by barbed wire. On the first day Poles were forbidden to leave their houses while Jews were forced to take all their belongings and proceed to the factory. German soldiers and SS members beat Jews standing in the street. Eight thousand people were transferred to the area of the factory, within five living quarters. On the first day, crowded and without any first-aid stations, a few people died. The only food they had was a small amount of potatoes and bread. Prices of extra food were very high, for instance one kilogram of potatoes cost 40 fen. in ghetto which would have cost 5 fen in the rest of the town. However, the true nightmare started during winter when there was not enough firewood, so that Jews had to warm themselves with burned furniture or scaffolding.

In the following year, 1941, due to overcrowding of resettled people and transport difficulties in 7th Przemyślowa st., another concentration camp was founded. Due to terrible conditions in the camp about 10 persons per day died of dysentery.

On 9 June 1941, at present-day Wolności Square, three Poles, Kalikst Perkowski, Wilhelm Czernecki and Piotr Sanda, were publicly executed. They were sentenced to death for smuggling food to Warsaw. Their deaths was intended to be a lesson and the presence of locals at the execution was compulsory; even the family of the executed was there.

On 19 March 1942 the ghetto was closed. All Jews, in alphabetical order, were transported to Koło and then to Chełmno extermination camp. Six thousand Jewish inhabitants of Kutno were killed there while elder people who had been ghetto administrators were killed in Kutno town. Additionally, a forced labor camp operated in the area from January 1942 until January 1945. On 19 January 1945 the Red Army arrived in Kutno, ending the German occupation.

1945–1989

Cultural institutions resumed activity during first years after the liberation. Firstly, posts that had existed before 1939 were reopened. In June 1945 the Kutno District Public Library was opened. Thanks to donations by the public and the regaining of books that had been kept during the War, the library's collection grew rapidly. The public library was and still is fulfilling its important role in broadening culture. Because of developed railway and road trails Kutno has been attractive for investors. Among to many branches of industry in Kutno, the most important was the electronics industry. In 1957 Radio Components Company Miflex opened, and would eventually employ over three thousand people. The Company is one of the important distributors of capacitors, anti – interference filters. At the Marshal Piłsudski square Polish – Soviet brotherhood was constructed, depicting two persons: Red Army soldier and People's Army of Poland soldier shaking hands with each other. After the monument had been constructed incidents such as vandalism and defacing it with paint by local high school students occurred. They were part of the group called "Bloody Hawk" ("Krwawy Jastrząb").

In 1968 Kazimierz Jóźwiak, who was a choreographer and manager as well as director of the Kutno House of Culture founded the "Song and Dance of Kutno`s Land Band" ("Zespół Pieśni i Tańca Ziemi Kutnowskiej"). In 1971, the former Town Hall at the Marshal Piłsudski square Kutno Regional Museum was reopened. In 1975, the town was adjoined to province of Płock and would remain so for the next 23 years. Annually, since September 1975, the Kutno Rose Festival takes place at the Kutno House of Culture, which has long been a center of cultural events in Kutno.

After 1989

In 1990 formula of the fair has been changed as well as it name: from The "Rose Fair" to "The Rose Festival"

In 1996 International Little League Baseball Tournament took place in Kutno. Since that time Kutno is the world-famous seat of the European Little League Baseball Center. On 18 August 1998 Higher School of Economics has been opened in Kutno in 7th Lelewel st. In 1999 because of administrative resolution Kutno district once again after 24 years has become part of the Łódź province. In 2001 Królewska st and Marshal Józef Piłsudski square has been restored. 19 January 2003: fire of the Saxon Palace which is unique Postal Palace of Saxon kings in Poland. Currently one can visit few rooms that has been renovated.

Kutno Agro–Industrial Park (KAIP)

As a result of decisions made in the 1970s, industry investments began being located in the eastern part of Kutno - Sklęczki - now Kutno Agro–Industrial Park. The decisive factor was access to the A2 motorway and the presence of system of sidings connected with the E20 railway. KAIP began in 1996 during construction of the National Center for Food Processing and Distribution. Construction was led by the Urban Institute and the U.S. Agency for International Development and was opened in 1998. KAIP is constructed on 370 ha, and now has over 60 businesses of local and foreign capital operate within its boundaries. Nearly 6,000 people are employed here. The food industry, packaging, plastics processing, manufacturing of agricultural equipment and pharmaceuticals are the dominant branches. 111 ha is set aside as part of the Special Economic Zone of Łódź.

Kutno subzone of the Łódź Special Economic Zone

In 2000, the Town Council created the Łódź Special Economic Zone in Kutno Agro–Industrial park. It was originally 23ha and had four zones: Odlewnicza st. (4,24ha), Sklęczkowska st. (6,48 ha), Stalowa I and II (7,87ha and 4,49ha). The Sub-zone has been broadened in the following years: 2002, 2005, two times in 2007 and in 2010. According to data from the end of January 2010 whole area of Kutno Sub-zone is 111ha. Capital investments of companies operating only in the Kutno subzone has exceeded the value of 1 billion PLN over the last 10 years.

Industry in Kutno

Tourism

Churches in Kutno

City parks

Education

Kindergartens, elementary schools and middle schools:

After middle schools

High schools

Art schools

Communions

Pastoral services are provided by the following churches:

Events

Sport

Kutno is the seat of the European Little League Baseball Center. In 1984, Juan Echevarria Motola, a Cuban living in Kutno, started teaching baseball to groups of young people. Therefore, a baseball section of "Stal Kutno" club was created. It is the biggest youth center of baseball in Europe. The European Baseball Championship is hosted annually in various age categories. The complex consists of two lighted stadiums that have enough space to hold up to two thousand spectators named for Edward Piszka and Stan Musial. The complex also includes three training fields and a dormitory for over 200 players.

Sports club City Stadium in Kutno on Tadeusz Kościuszki st. is named by Henryk Reyman.

Sports clubs

International cooperation

Kutno cooperates with various cities and regions in Europe. For instance with Bat Yam city in Israel (Szalom Asz festival connects both towns). Thanks to Commune Association of Kutno Region town maintains relationship with the English county Northumberland.

Transportation

Kutno is important communication junction in central Europe. Two main roads lead through town: country road nr. 92 (former road nr. 2) connecting Miedzichowo near Nowy Tomyśl with Łowicz and Warsaw; country road nr. 60 connecting Kutno with Płock and Ostrów Mazowiecka country road which is the transit corridor for trucks, leading from Baltic countries to Germany. Both roads leading through town are bypassed which helps transport though country and to reduce traffic in the town.

Fourteen kilometers (8.7 miles) from Kutno is Krośniewice. This is where the junction of roads nr 91 and 92 is situated.

Beside country roads through Kutno leads a system of Province and District roads connecting town with Łódź and other nearby towns.

The A1 motorway which opened to traffic in November 2012 has greatly improved the importance of the town in road transportation. Kutno is served by two exits from the A1 motorway (Kutno North, 7 km (4 miles) from the town and Kutno East, 2 km (1 mile) from the town).

List of country and province roads in Kutno

Railway

Kutno is served by the Kutno railway station. Kutno has been an important railway hub in Poland since the 19th Century. The railways enjoyed its greatest development in the 1920s and 1930s.

The history of rail in Kutno dates from 1861. Intensive railway development started during the interwar period. Between 1922 and 1926, the connection linking Kutno with Poznań (thereby construction of Warsaw - Poznań railway) was completed and Łódź with Płock was finished. During the postwar period, the current platform and underground passage was constructed.

One can now travel by train from Kutno to most of the big cities in Poland (Warsaw, Łódź, Bydgoszcz, Szczecin, Poznań, Wrocław, Katowice, Kraków, Lublin) and also to various tourism centers (Kołobrzeg, Krynica-Zdrój, Hel, Zakopane).

Bus service

PKS Kutno enables coach connection with neighbouring localities for which Kutno is the administrative and regional center. There are also possible regional connections to Łódź and Płock.

Municipal Transportation Company serves Kutno inhabitants around town and its closest surroundings. The 13 day bus line and one marked "N" (night bus) route through Kutno. Remaining lines with numbers from 5 to 16 service the city area and also route to neighbouring areas.

There are also private carriers servicing line: Kutno – Piątek – Zgierz – Łódź

Honorary citizens

List of individuals granted with the Honorary citizen title by the City council

Former names in the city

During the times of German occupation, the square at the center of Kutno (nowadays Marshall Józef Piłsudski square) was named Adolf Hitler Platz, while Gabriel Narutowicz St. was named Hindenburg Strase.

During the times of People's Republic of Poland, Piłsudski square was named Józef Stalin square. After his death, the name of the square was changed to 19 January Square (the date related to the liberation of Kutno by the Red Army).

Former names of the streets in Kutno:

Legends

According to a widespread story, Kutno was supposed to have been founded by Count Piotr from Kutna Hora, who had escaped in 997 with the brother of Bishop Wojciech from Bohemia to Poland. Kutno, the town, was founded as an heirloom of a family estate.

J. Łukawski, the publisher of Liber beneficiorum by J. Ławski, placed a footnote on page 478, with the following account: "When Piotr of Kutno came to Poland in the year 997, he founded Kutno in memory of his manor house in the Bohemia. The parish church was founded along with the settlement. Piotr's ancestors designated themselves as the Counts of Kutno and later assumed the name of Kucieńscy".

However, this story is not considered to be reliable and is rejected by most historians due to a its doubtful origin. It is treated as an 18th-century legend or possibly a varnished version of the origins some "noble" families. The geographic dictionary of Polish Kingdom, commonly known as "Kąty", gives the impression that Kutno could have been named "Kątno" originally.

The source of this legend is likely because of the similarities between names Kutno and Kutná Hora. First references to Kutná Hora were made in 1289, whereas about Kutno itself was not noted until 1301. In addition, in the 10th century Poles were not founding towns, as an equivalent. Instead, they had strongholds which were changed in the 13th century. The title of Count being used in Bohemia since 1627.