Pruszków County

From its quiet beginnings as a small village mentioned in 15th-century chronicles, Pruszków County has blossomed into a hub of activity. Pruszków County officially came into being on January 1, 1999. This was due to local government reforms. The county seat is Pruszków. This bustling city lies just 15 kilometers west of Warsaw. Pruszków County encompasses other notable towns too. Piastów is nestled 4 km northeast of Pruszków. Brwinów is situated 7 km southwest of Pruszków. In 2019, the total population of Pruszków County reached 165,039. Pruszków itself boasted 62,076 residents. Piastów had 22,619. Brwinów had 13,601. The remaining 66,743 residents lived in the rural areas of the county. Pruszków County is bordered by Warsaw West County to the north. The city of Warsaw borders it to the east. Piaseczno County is to the southeast. Grodzisk Mazowiecki County lies to the west. This area is divided into six gminas. Two are urban, one is urban-rural and three are rural. Pruszków County also holds a darker history. In the late 20th century, the name “Pruszków” became synonymous with organized crime. The infamous “Pruszków gang” clashed with its rival, the “Wołomin gang.” These turf wars painted a grim picture for a time. Today, however, Pruszków County has shaken off that reputation. It’s now known as Poland’s cycling center. It even boasts a purpose-built indoor velodrome. The city of Pruszków within the county also has a rich history. It officially became a town in 1916. The Warsaw-Vienna Railway in the 19th century significantly contributed to its growth. So did the Elektryczna Kolej Dojazdowa. This was Poland’s first electrified commuter train line, built in 1927. A blend of industry and tragedy marked Pruszków’s path. Factories producing needles, porcelain, faience, and soap thrived. Yet, the city also bore witness to a fierce battle during World War I. From October 12-18, 1914, German and Russian forces clashed within its streets. The fighting caused significant damage to the city’s infrastructure. During World War II, Pruszków was occupied by Germany. A Jewish ghetto was established in 1940, later liquidated in 1941. Its inhabitants were transported to the Warsaw Ghetto, a grim precursor to their tragic fate in Treblinka. The city also housed the Durchgangslager 121 transit camp. This camp processed evacuees from the Warsaw Uprising. Hundreds of thousands passed through its gates. Many faced forced labor, concentration camps, or expulsion.