Memorial plaque to Frenchmen killed by the Nazi Germans in 1945
The area, along with Lower Silesia, was part of Poland since the establishment of the state in the 10th century. As a result of the fragmentation of Poland, by the end of the 13th century the area was part of the Polish Duchy of Świdnica, ruled by a local branch of the Piast dynasty. The settlement developed from a castle called Chodzenow built in 1297 by Duke Bolko I the Strict of Świdnica, who had to secure his lands against the claims of Wenceslaus II of Bohemia.
From 1742 Chocianów was part of Prussia and from 1871 to 1945 it was part of Germany, known by its Germanized name of Kotzenau. It received its town privileges in 1894. During World War II, in 1942–1943, the Germans operated a forced labour camp for Jewish men in the town.[3] After Nazi Germany's defeat in the war, the town became again part of Poland.
^ abc"Local Data Bank". Statistics Poland. Retrieved 2022-06-03. Data for territorial unit 0216014.
^"Główny Urząd Statystyczny" [Central Statistical Office] (in Polish). Select Miejscowości (SIMC) tab, select fragment (min. 3 znaki), enter town name in the field below, click WYSZUKAJ (Search)
Saint Joseph church
Town hall
Palace Park
Palace ruins
