the war. Germans retreated on January 16, 1945 so quickly, that the town was not destroyed. After the war, Miechów was transferred from Kielce Voivodeship to Kraków Voivodeship. It was the seat of a large county, with such towns, as Proszowice, Słomniki and Książ Wielki. Location Local Nature reserves include: “Lipny Dół” in vicinity of Książ Wielki, “Biała Góra” in Tunel, and “Złota Góra” in Jaksice village. Near the Old Market Square there is a zero-category historic monument – the basilica and monastery of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Order, founded in 1163. The monastery introduced the cult of the Holy Sepulchre in Poland. St. Vit Modest and Crescence Church in Nasiechowice and a wooden temple of Mother of Church in Przesławice are also notable. The Jewish synagogue, located at 10 Adama Mickiewicza Street was built in the early 20th century. However, during the German occupation of Poland the synagogue was devastated by the Nazis and after World War II became municipal property, no longer serving its religious purpose. At present, the completely rebuilt synagogue houses a popular café. Prominent individuals An important local personality was Maciej of Miechów, Polish Renaissance scholar, doctor of medicine, canon, astrologist, historian, who was elected eight times as Rector of the Academy of Kraków. He's the author of the "Tractatus de duabus Sarmatiis" (Treatise on the Two Sarmatias), considered the first accurate geographical and ethnographical description of Eastern Europe. Among other people from Miechów there is Emanuel Tanay. The Polish diplomat and jurist Mieczysław Maneli was born in and grew up in Miechów. References External links Official town webpage Jewish Community in Miechów on Virtual Shtetl An English guide to Miechów Cities and towns in Lesser Poland Voivodeship Miechów County Kraków Voivodeship (14th century – 1795) Kielce Governorate Kielce Voivodeship (1919–1939) Holocaust locations in Poland