Knyszyn, Municipality and city in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland
Knyszyn is a city in Podlaskie Voivodeship in northeastern Poland, situated in a valley surrounded by pine forests and waterways. The settlement spreads across gently rolling terrain at an elevation of about 158 meters.
The city received municipal rights in 1568 from King Sigismund II Augustus, who established a royal residence and hunting grounds here. This royal connection shaped the settlement's development for centuries to come.
The cemetery displays gravestones with Baroque symbols that speak to a significant Jewish community that lived here until World War II. These graves tell the story of a diverse past that shaped life in the town.
The town sits roughly 26 kilometers northwest of Białystok and is fairly easy to reach for those interested in exploring the region's historical sites. Visitors should plan their visit during warmer months when forest paths and cemetery grounds are most accessible.
The crypt beneath St. John's Church, built between 1579 and 1601, is said to hold the heart of King Sigismund II Augustus. This reliquary oddity makes the church a historically significant spot that many visitors overlook.
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