Kielce

Kielce is a city in south-central Poland and the capital of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. It lies on the Kielce Upland near the Świętokrzyskie Mountains, along the Kamienna River. The city has approximately 200,000 inhabitants and serves as a regional administrative, commercial, and educational hub.

Historically, Kielce dates to the early Middle Ages and received town rights in the 13th century. It grew as a local administrative and trading center, with mining activity in the surrounding hills and later railway connections fueling growth in the 19th century. In the 20th century it expanded industrially and, in 1946, was the site of a Jewish pogrom that marked a dark moment in postwar Polish history. After World War II Kielce underwent reconstruction and expansion as part of the Polish People’s Republic, and since 1989 has experienced modernization and integration into the national economy.

Modern Kielce hosts one of Poland’s major trade fair centers, Targi Kielce, which hosts international exhibitions and conferences. The city has a diversified economy with manufacturing, services, and logistics. It is an educational center with several higher education institutions, including the Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce and other colleges. Notable landmarks include the Kadzielnia limestone quarry and open-air amphitheater, the Karczówka hill sanctuary, and a historic market square with churches and tenements. The surrounding area features the Świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross) Mountains and nature reserves, popular for hiking and outdoor recreation.

Kielce is served by rail and road connections to major Polish cities; the national rail network links it to Warsaw, Kraków, and Łódź, among others. The city is home to Korona Kielce, a football club that has competed in the Polish league system.