History

The history of Gostyń dates as far back as the 13th century. In 1278, a municipal charter gave Mikołaj Przedpełkowic a mandate to establish a town of his own. He founded Gostyń from ground up and decided to locate it next to the old riverbed of the River Kania. The town was named after Gostyń — a neighbouring village which is Stary Gostyń today.

The town played an important role during the Reformation period. It was in Gostyń that the dissenters from across Greater Poland organised their synod in 1565. They met in the parish church of St Margaret, which had been erected in the first half of the 15th century. In later years, however, Gostyń suffered devastation due to numerous wars — including the ones fought against Sweden in the 17th century — and a deadly plague that struck Gostyń in the 18th century.

During the partitions of Poland, people living in Gostyń fought for the Polish national identity. Their struggle involved not only military action, but also economic, educational, and charity initiatives. Of special significance in the annals of the town’s history was the Kasyno Gostyńskie organisation, one of the most influential members of which was Blessed Edmund Bojanowski — a prominent figure dedicated to the cause of organic work (work from the foundations) and an altruist who unconditionally helped the poor and needy.

In the 20th century, Gostyń’s inhabitants fought in both World Wars and in the Greater Poland Uprising. Also civilians were among the ones who sacrificed their lives for Poland during that century. Years later, the inhabitants of Gostyń became involved in the cause to reach a reconciliation between the two countries. The relations with Germans are defined by the following motto: “Remembering the past, we build the future.”