CURRENT
A town on the Racią Plain, on the Wkra River (Działdówka). Ok. 2100 inhabitant, local industrial and service center. The seat of the commune office. Mentioned in the 13th century. as a fishing village. At the end of the 14th century. the castellan of Płock Jędrzej from Golczewo erected a defensive castle here and expanded the settlement.
W 1406 town rights granted by the Duke of Płock, Siemowit IV. At the beginning of July 1410 r. troops led by Władysław Jagiełło on their way towards Malbork passed through Bieżuń. You king – as the chronicler Jan Długosz describes it – set up a practice alarm, "So that chivalry does not linger in sleep and inactivity". The destruction of the city was caused by the Swedish invasion of 1656 r. It was then that the city's functions were actually lost. Re-development in 2 half. 18th century, when the city belonged to the great Crown Chancellor Andrzej Zamoyski, who was born here (1717-92). Thanks to him, a church was built here, and the castle was rebuilt into a baroque residence. Years were held in it 1776-78 sessions of the Law Committee with the participation of Józef Wybicki and Stanisław Staszic. In years 1801-03 the Bieżuń estate was the property of Prince Józef Poniatowski (1763-1813). W XIX w. Bieżuń developed as a craft center known for the production of cloth, tanning and shoemaking. In addition, there was a brewery in the city, needle factory, sawmill and glassworks. Many inhabitants made a living from fishing, which became the inspiration for a saying popular here; “If it weren't for fish and crayfish, runners would die ". During the January Uprising, many battles and skirmishes with the tsarist army took place in the vicinity of the city. W 1869 there was a loss of city rights. Bieżuń was destroyed during World Wars I and II. W 1994 r. city rights were restored. The figure of Stefan Gołębiowski, who lived here for many years, is associated with Bieżuń (pseud. Jan Smutek, 1900-91) – the poet, translator of Horace's works, teacher and social worker.
The urban layout with a four-sided market square in the center has been preserved.
Parish Church. pw. Holy Trinity and St.. Stanislaus the Bishop, baroque, brick and plastered, built in 1766 r. from the foundation of Andrzej Zamoyski – the Grand Chancellor of the Crown, extended in 1889 r. by adding a chancel and two chapels. Single-bay, interior polychrome z 1946 r. made according to design. Władysław Drapiewski. In the main altar there is a Baroque 18th-century sculpture of Christ Crucified surrounded by 18th and 19th-century votive plates. Next to it, there is a wooden belfry 1 Then. 19th century Church of the parish. pw. Holy Trinity and St.. Stanislaus the Bishop, baroque, brick and plastered, built in 1766 r. from the foundation of Andrzej Zamoyski – the Grand Chancellor of the Crown, extended in 1889 r. by adding a chancel and two chapels. Single-bay, interior polychrome z 1946 r. made according to design. Władysław Drapiewski. In the main altar there is a Baroque 18th-century sculpture of Christ Crucified surrounded by 18th and 19th-century votive plates. Next to it, there is a wooden belfry 1 Then. XIX w.
Zamoyski Palace, baroque-classicist, brick, with 1 half. 18th century. with the use of fragments of an older building, significantly rebuilt in 2 half. XVIII i w XIX w. Next to the partially rebuilt outbuilding east. and the ruin of the west outbuilding. – both from the 18th century. Surrounded by an 18th century park. and the remnants of fortifications.
Former synagogue (ul. Mławska). It was probably built at the end of the 19th century. During World War II it was used by the Germans as a grain warehouse. Currently rebuilt into a cinema.
In the cemetery there is a monument on the grave 16 insurgents from 1863 r., graves 25 German and Russian soldiers who died during the First World War, graves 49 Poles – World War II victims. Museum of the History and Material Culture of the Small Town (Old Market Square 19). It was created in 1974 r. as an ethnographic museum, and from 1986 r. also showing an image of a typical town with 2 half. XIX w. Currently, it collects collections on the history of the land along the river bank, agriculture, fisheries and the culture and arts of the region. An interesting fact is the reconstructed office of a provincial doctor.
In the house of the poet Stefan Gołębiowski (ul. Castle 4) museum dedicated to the creator. She was rich, numbering over 3000 position, the artist's correspondence with other Polish poets and writers. In the garden near the poet's house there are sculptures depicting Kochanowski, Mickiewicz and Norwid.