 |
WELCOME TO ODOLANÓW |  |
Welcome
to Odolanów
Can dear readers name at
least a few towns in Poland where stands a classical monument of a figure
on horseback? The inhabitants of Odolanow wouldn't have any trouble with
the answer to this question and the counting would certainly start from
their own town. For over a year the impressive bronze silhouette of Święty
Marcin (St. Martin), patron of the Odolanow lands, has been standing on
a 3-meter plinth in the "Odolanow 600 Year Memorial Park". The
association that also carries the name of the saint and formed in 1999,
gave itself the aim of providing aid to those in need, particularly talented
youth from underprivileged families. 
This
noble initiative is a good reflection of this region's administrators
and their type of thinking, a region that is prosperous, well kept and
at the same time, continually hungry for further development.
Odolanow, with a population of 5,000, lies in the southwest of Wielkopolska
in the Ostrowski region. The meadows over the river Barycza and its tributaries
flowing through Kotlina Odolanowska take up a significant part of the
district.
The
first references to Odolanow appeared 700 years ago as a border stronghold
between Wielkopolska and Śląsk (Silesia). A hundred years later, in the
year 1400, the fortified settlement received city rights. Odolanow was
a city of the kingdom up to 1793, given out to potentates for services
rendered or for lease. In the period of the Prussian partition, Odolanow
gained the status of a regional town, which it remained up until 1932.
The
time of the partitions is also an active witness to patriotism and aspirations
of the inhabitants of these territories for independence. The turn of
the 19th and 20th centuries has preserved itself in the town's landscape,
to this very day fulfilling its function with buildings of interest such
as the Ratusz (Town Hall) and the Dom Kultury (House of Culture). Among
other architectural relics worth mentioning is the baroque parish church
under the auspices of Świety Marcin and also the wooden church of Święta
Barbara from the close of the 18th century.
At present, Odolanow is known foremost for its gas deposits discovered
in its area in the 60's. 
On
the basis of these resources a production plant, unique in European scale,
was built producing high-methane gas as well as high quality liquid helium
and anaerobic nitrogen.
Odolanow
will be remembered by visitors most of all for its verdure which abounds
in the town squares, city park and mainly in the newly founded, imposing
promenade 600 Year Memorial Park. The good taste of this place's management
can be seen in the urban planning solutions, architectural detail, the
way commemorative monuments are cared for and the well being of future
generations. No doubt with this thought in mind, a comprehensive secondary
school was opened in 1946; something not frequently met after all, in
towns of this small size.
In discussions with Odolanow authorities the dominant tone is one of realistic
assessment of achievements, possibilities and perspectives of the regions
development. 
The
main concern is to attract investment, which would provide new places
of work. These are not merely unfounded ambitions. The town and district
offer a very well developed infrastructure, which allows the costs of
initial investment to be lowered considerably. Moreover, for companies
that employ at least 500 people, The District and Town Councils are prepared
to cover completely the costs of development and participate in sanitation
installation costs. Finally, the people themselves are an advantage -
among their ranks are many well educated youth wishing to find work here
and tie their life to their "mała Ojczyzna" (small home country).
Urząd Gminy i Miasta
Rynek 1, 63-430 Odolanów
tel. 0-62 / 733-15-81, 0-62 / 733-15-16
fax 0-62 / 736-58-69
Researched by M. Łabuda