Gozdnica

For the place with the same name, see Gozdnica, Pomeranian Voivodeship.

Gozdnica [ɡɔzdˈɲit͡sa] (German: Freiwaldau) is a town in Żagań County, Lubusz Voivodeship, in south-western Poland,^[3] with 3,036 inhabitants (2019). Situated close to Lower Silesian Voivodeship.

Gozdnica
Aerial view
Coat of arms
Gozdnica
Coordinates: 51°26′16″N 15°05′48″E
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	Lubusz
County	Żagań
Gmina	Gozdnica (urban gmina)
Area
• Total	23.97 km2 (9.25 sq mi)
Population  (2019-06-30[1])
• Total	3,036
• Density	126.7/km2 (328.0/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	68-130[2]
Vehicle registration	FZG
Website	http://www.gozdnica.pl

History

Memorial to victims of forced labour under Nazi Germany

Gozdnica was founded in the 13th century by Duke Przemko of Ścinawa. It formed part of the duchies of Żagań and Jawor, formed in the course of the medieval fragmentation of Poland into smaller duchies. It was granted town rights before 1315.^[4] In 1346 it passed to the Kingdom of Bohemia, then in 1353 to Saxony, and in 1364 it returned to the Duchy of Jawor, then in 1413 to the Duchy of Żagań. Town rights were revoked in 1752, and eventually restored in 1967.^[4] On 1 December 1896, a railway station opened. Passenger trains were in service until 1962, with freight trains being withdrawn in 1999. The last train was a heritage train, in 2002.^[5] The railway line from Ruszów remained operational until 2005.^[6]

During World War II, Nazi Germany operated a forced labour camp for Jews.^[7]

In 2016, town limits were slightly expanded by including a part of the village of Ruszów.^[8]

Transport

Voivodeship roads number 300 and 350 pass through Gozdnica.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Poland

Gozdnica is twinned with:

• Hähnichen, Germany^[9]
• Oldřichov v Hájích, Czech Republic^[10]