Wenecja [vɛˈnɛt͡sja] (Polish for Venice) is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Żnin, within Żnin County, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, in north-central Poland. It lies approximately 6 kilometres (4 mi) south-east of Żnin and 38 km (24 mi) south-west of Bydgoszcz.[1]

Wenecja
Village
Wenecja is located in Poland
Wenecja
Wenecja
Coordinates: 52°48′45″N 17°45′51″E / 52.81250°N 17.76417°E / 52.81250; 17.76417
Country Poland
VoivodeshipKuyavian-Pomeranian
CountyŻnin
GminaŻnin
Population
424

The village gained city status in 1392, but lost it before 1400.[2]

Its location among three lakes (Biskupinskie, Weneckie, Skrzynka) resulted in its name alluding to the location of Italian Venice. The village, called "the pearl of Pałuki", is one of the greatest tourist attractions in the Pałuki region. Wenecja is located on the line of the narrow gauge railway running from the town of Żnin to famous Biskupin and further on to Gąsawa. The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum and the ruins of the 14th-century castle attract tourists to the village.

History

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In the 14th century, the settlement belonged to the Nałęczów family. At that time it was called Mościska, which Mikołaj Nałęcz changed to Wenecja after his return from his studies in Venice. He also ordered the construction of a defensive castle and a church, in the place of which there is currently a 19th-century church. In the 14th century, Venice received city status, but this was removed in later years.[3]

Demographics

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In the years 1975–1998 the town belonged to the Bydgoszcz Voivodeship. According to the 2021 National Census, it had 424 inhabitants.[4] It is the eighth largest town in the Żnin commune.

Year Population
1998 282
2002 291
2009 305
2011 333
2014 341
2021 424

Tourist Attractions

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Venice is located on the Piast Trail. The Żnin District Railway also runs through it, although it currently no longer functions as a regular means of transport for local residents. It is a narrow-gauge railway with a rail gauge of only 600 mm, which makes them the narrowest public railway tracks in Europe. During the tourist season, it is possible to take a train ride on the route: Żnin–Wenecja–Biskupin–Gąsawa.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Wenecja - kod pocztowy, mapa, przysiółki - gmina Żnin". ratusz.pl. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
  2. ^ Robert Krzysztofik, Lokacje miejskie na obszarze Polski. Dokumentacja geograficzno-historyczna, Katowice 2007, p. 80-81.
  3. ^ Paweł Klint, Szlachecki obrót ziemią w powiecie kcyńskim w latach 1626-1655, Wrocław 2012, s. 325.
  4. ^ "GUS - Bank Danych Lokalnych". bdl.stat.gov.pl. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
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