Oświęcim has a rich history, which dates back to the early days of Polish
statehood. It is one of the oldest castellan gords in Poland. Following the
Fragmentation of Poland in 1138, Duke Casimir II the Just attached the town to
the Duchy of Opole in ca. 1179 for his younger brother Mieszko I Tanglefoot,
Duke of Opole and Racibórz. The town was destroyed in 1241 during the Mongol
invasion of Poland. Around 1272 the newly rebuilt Oświęcim was granted a
municipal charter modelled on those of Lwówek Śląski (a Polish variation of the
Magdeburg Law). The charter was confirmed on 3 September 1291.
In 1281, the
