Kłodawa

Kłodawa
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kłodawa, 18th century
Kłodawa
Coordinates: 52°15′2″N 18°54′56″E / 52.25056°N 18.91556°E / 52.25056; 18.91556
Country Poland
VoivodeshipGreater Poland
CountyKoło
GminaKłodawa
Established11th century
Town rights1430-1867, 1925
Government
  MayorPiotr Michalak
Area
  Total
4.32 km2 (1.67 sq mi)
Population
 (2014)
  Total
6,699
  Density1,600/km2 (4,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
62-650
Area code+48 63
Vehicle registrationPKL
Websitehttps://www.klodawa.eu/

Kłodawa [kwɔˈdava] is a town in the Koło County in the Greater Poland Voivodeship in central Poland with 6,699 inhabitants (2014).

Kłodawa lies on the Rgilewka (a tributary of the Warta River). The town contains the Kłodawa Salt Mine, the largest operating salt mine in Poland, extracting halite and salts of potassium and magnesium.

Kłodawa was settled in the 11th century by craftsmen building the Church of St. Giles. It gained municipal rights in 1430. Much of the town was destroyed in the wars of the 17th century and World War II. It was once home to a vibrant Jewish community wiped out during the German occupation. On the outskirts there is a cemetery from the ancient Lusatian culture.