Pałuki

{{short description|Region in Poland}} {{For|the village|Pałuki, Masovian Voivodeship}} {{More citations needed|date=November 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |settlement_type = Historical region |image_skyline = {{Photomontage |color = #ffffff |photo1a = Town hall tower in Znin (2).jpg{{!}}Main square in Żnin |photo1b = Wągrowiec - Jezioro Durowskie 1.jpg{{!}}Durowo Lake |photo2a = Zespół klasztorny cystersów kościół, obecnie parafialny pw. Wniebowzięcia NMP z 2. połowy XVIII w., 1946-62 w Wągrowcu.jpg{{!}}Wągrowiec Abbey |photo2b = Stanowisko archeologiczne w Biskupinie, 20210907 1402 2436.jpg{{!}}Biskupin |spacing = 2 |border = 0 |size = 260 }} |image_caption = {{hlist|From top, left to right: Main square in Żnin|Durowo Lake|Wągrowiec Abbey|Biskupin}} |image_map = Polska-woj-paluki.png |map_caption = Pałuki on the map of Poland |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{POL}} |subdivision_type1 = Historical region |subdivision_name1 = Greater Poland |seat_type = Capital |seat = Żnin |seat1_type = Largest town |seat1 = Wągrowiec |timezone = CET |utc_offset = +1 |timezone_DST = CEST |utc_offset_DST = +2 }} '''Pałuki''' ({{IPA|pl|paˈwukʲi}}) is a historic and ethnographic region lying in central Poland, part of Greater Poland neighbouring Pomerania and Kuyavia. In terms of administrative division the region lies in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodship and Greater Poland Voivodship. A diverse relief, forests and numerous lakes serve as tourist attractions.

Pałuki is commonly called "the land of 130 lakes" or sometimes even "Little Mazury". The "Piast Trail", leading through several places connected with the origins of the Polish State (Gniezno, Kruszwica), runs across the south of Pałuki. Żnin, Szubin, Kcynia and Barcin are major towns of the regions. Biskupin, Wenecja and Gąsawa also attract visitors.

==History== The name Pałuki is likely derived from łuk, łęk, or łęg, signifying grassy lowlands between arable land. An alternative theory suggests the name comes from the shape of the small hilltops which dot the landscape. The name appeared in the 14th century in the Latin form ''terra Palucacensis'' in documents by Jan of Czarnków and, later, Jan Długosz.

Pałuki formed part of the Kalisz Voivodeship in the Greater Poland Province of the Kingdom of Poland. In 1655, it was invaded by Sweden, and the Battle of Kcynia was fought there.

The region was invaded by Germany during the invasion of Poland, which started World War II in September 1939. The German occupiers launched the ''Intelligenzaktion'' genocidal campaign against the Polish population. Major sites of massacres of Poles in the region included Paterek and Bukowiec.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wardzyńska|first=Maria|year=2009|title=Był rok 1939. Operacja niemieckiej policji bezpieczeństwa w Polsce. Intelligenzaktion|language=pl|location=Warszawa|publisher=IPN|pages=163–164, 211}}</ref> The Germans also carried out expulsion of Poles, whose houses and farms were then handed over to German colonists in accordance with the ''Lebensraum'' policy. Many Poles were enslaved as forced labour and either sent to German colonists in the region or deported to Germany. The Polish resistance movement was active in the region.

Germany operated the Stalag XXI-B, Oflag XXI-B and Oflag 64 prisoner-of-war camps for Polish, French, British, American, and other Allied POWs in Szubin and Tur.

==Towns== {{div col|colwidth=17em}} * Barcin * Gąsawa * Gołańcz * Janowiec Wielkopolski * Kcynia * Łabiszyn * Margonin * Szamocin * Szubin * Wągrowiec * Żnin {{div col end}}

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Paluki}} Category:Geography of Greater Poland Voivodeship Category:Regions of Poland