Starting January 1, 2025, seven Polish towns regain city status after 156 years. This historic move reverses tsarist decrees stripping these towns of their rights for supporting the January Uprising. Among the newly recognized cities are three in Lublin Voivodeship: Wąwolnica, Końskowola, and Kurów.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Wąwolnica, known for its Marian shrine and historical roots older than Lublin, hosted Poland’s first national rural harvest festival in 2018. Końskowola, a hub for rose cultivation, draws visitors with its annual Rose Festival. Meanwhile, Kurów, rich in patriotic tradition, was once a key fur production center.
Additional towns, including Kazanów (Mazowieckie), Kobylnica (Pomorskie), Sobków (Świętokrzyskie), and Zaniemyśl (Wielkopolskie), have also attained city status. Furthermore, boundary adjustments affect seven municipalities, redefining city and rural borders across Poland.
This restoration honors local heritage and centuries-old traditions. For towns like Wąwolnica and Kurów, regaining city status marks not only an administrative change but also a celebration of their resilience and rich history.