Brańsk, city and urban gmina of Poland
Brańsk is a small town in northeastern Poland located in Bielsk County, situated near the Bronka River which gives the town its name. The town features quiet streets lined with old buildings, including the Church of the Assumption of Mary, a modest town square where residents gather, and simple shops that serve the local community.
Brańsk was founded as a town in 1493 by the Grand Duke of Lithuania and became the first settlement in the region to receive Magdeburg rights, which helped it develop as a local center. During World War II, the town suffered bombing and Nazi occupation, during which a ghetto was established and thousands of Jewish residents were deported to Treblinka.
The town's historic churches and synagogue stand as reminders of its once diverse population, with Polish, Jewish, and other communities shaping its character. Local traditions passed down through families remain alive in festivals and community gatherings, particularly around the churches and public spaces where residents continue to celebrate together.
The town is easily explored on foot, as the center takes only a few minutes to cross and spreads from the town square to the surrounding areas. Buses and trains serve the town, though the train station is located slightly outside the center, and basic services like shops, a post office, and local restaurants are available throughout.
The Jewish community was central to Brańsk's history until World War II, and the old Jewish cemetery with over 2,300 documented graves remains a quiet witness to this lost world. Volunteers and historians continue to restore inscriptions and preserve stories of those buried here through guided tours for international visitors.
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