| Leszno | |
| Settlement Type: | Village |
| Total Type: | |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | Voivodeship |
| Subdivision Name1: | Masovian |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Warsaw West |
| Subdivision Type3: | Gmina |
| Subdivision Name3: | Leszno |
| Coordinates: | 52.2667°N 56°W |
| Pushpin Map: | Poland |
| Pushpin Label Position: | bottom |
| Timezone: | CET |
| Utc Offset: | +1 |
| Timezone Dst: | CEST |
| Utc Offset Dst: | +2 |
| Population Total: | 3500 |
| Registration Plate: | WZ |
| Blank Name Sec2: | Primary airport |
| Blank Info Sec2: | Warsaw Chopin Airport |
| Website: | http://www.gminaleszno.pl/ |
Leszno is a village in Warsaw West County, Masovian Voivodeship, in east-central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina (administrative district) called Gmina Leszno.[1] It lies approximately 15km (09miles) west of Ożarów Mazowiecki and 280NaN0 west of Warsaw.
Polish professional footballer Robert Lewandowski grew up in Leszno.[2] In 2016 he became an honorary citizen of Leszno.[2]
The history of Leszno dates back to the Middle Ages. It was mentioned in documents in 1423.[3] It was owned by various families, including the Łuszczewski family, which built a Baroque palace, which is the main landmark of the village.[3]
Several men from Leszno died in various battles against the invading Russians during the Polish–Soviet War of 1919–1920.[4] A memorial to those soldiers is located in the local Catholic Church of Saint John the Baptist.[4]
During the invasion of Poland, which started World War II, in early September 1939, the Germans captured Leszno.[5] On September 16, Poles recaptured the village for tactical purposes, while the Germans retreated in panic.[5] On September 17, the Germans occupied Leszno again, and carried out a massacre of around 50 inhabitants in an act of revenge.[6] Many men were transported to Błonie, from where they were to be deported to forced labor to Germany, but some managed to escape.[5] About 70% of the village was burned down.[5]
The main landmark of Leszno is the Baroque Łuszczewski Palace with an adjacent park. There are two historic churches, one Catholic and one Mariavite. In the village there is also a monument commemorating Polish soldiers, partisans and inhabitants killed during World War II.[3]
The local football club is Partyzant Leszno. Robert Lewandowski took his first steps in football in the club. It competes in the lower leagues.