History Koło

gothic castle in koło, built in 14th century on river warta

from 15th century until 1716, koło meeting place of provincial parliament called sejmik generalny greater poland region, comprising poznań voivodship, kalisz, sieradz, Łęczyca, brześć kujawski , inowrocław voivodeships. town evolved regional hub of trade , crafts in metals , textiles, , centre of pottery. in 1571 contract drafted regard status of jews in koło, in city s christians have undertaken provide protection jews, in return jews required pay special annual municipal tax.

koło destroyed twice, once in 1622 lisowski forces, , in 1655 swedes; economy managed revive @ end of 17th century. until 1793 koło belonged konin county of kalisz voivodeship. following partitions of poland, in years 1793-1806 occupied prussia, during kościuszko insurrection in 1794 temporarily liberated insurgents. in years 1807-1815 belonged duchy of warsaw , later congress poland.

20th century

after return of poland s sovereignty @ end of world war i, koło assigned Łódź voivodeship. new railway line opened in 1921 kutno strzałkowo via koło. in 20th century, jewish population of koło made 50 percent of total population. when nazi germany invaded poland, captured koło on september 18, 1939. on september 19, jewish males on age of 14 rounded , sent forced labor. jewish synagogue set on fire following day.

the first aktion, conducted wehrmacht soldiers , gendarmes, took place in december 1939, in 100 jews executed. in december 1940, jews rounded in ghetto, liquidated following year, in december 1941. remaining jews deported chełmno extermination camp, killed in gas vans , buried in mass graves. koło remained transfer point jews deported Łódź, , nazi officials, including heinrich himmler, visited town.