Opatów

Opatów
Main Square in Opatów
Coat of arms
Opatów
Coordinates: 50°48′18″N 21°25′29″E / 50.80500°N 21.42472°E / 50.80500; 21.42472Coordinates: 50°48′18″N 21°25′29″E / 50.80500°N 21.42472°E / 50.80500; 21.42472
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	Świętokrzyskie
County	Opatów County
Gmina	Gmina Opatów
Area
• Total	9.36 km2 (3.61 sq mi)
Population (2012)
• Total	6,658
• Density	710/km2 (1,800/sq mi)
Postal code	27-500
Area code(s)	+48 15
Car plates	TOP
Website	http://www.umopatow.pl/

Opatów ([ɔˈpatuf]; Yiddish: אַפּטאַ‎) is a town in Poland, in Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, historic province of Lesser Poland. It is the capital of Opatów County. Its population is 7,833 (2007). Opatów is located among the hills of Lesser Polish Upland, with the Opatówka river dividing the town into two parts. The town marks the intersection of two main roads - European route E371, and national road nr 74 (Piotrków Trybunalski – Hrubieszów). Opatów, however, has no rail connection. Nearest station is at Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, 17 km (11 mi) away.

Tourist attractions include a 12th-century Collegiate Church of St. Martin, 15th-century baroque Bernardine monastery, 16th-century city gate, and several other notable buildings.

In the Middle Ages, Opatów was a settlement on the Opatówka River, in an area of forests and lakes. First mentioned in 1189, it was the residence of the regional ruler (Castellan) and one of the largest settlements of the Sandomierz Land. First church was built here some time in the 11th century. In the 12th century, St. Martin collegiate church was built as well. The purpose of the collegiate church is not known, it was probably designed for a Roman Catholic diocese which was created in Sandomierz instead.

In 1232, prince Henryk Brodaty transferred Opatów to Lawrence, Bishop of Lubusz. In 1237, it was granted privileges that regularized the status of its residents and in 1361 it received the status of a city with wide privileges. In the first half of the 14th century, Bishop of Lubusz Stefan II decided to move the center of the town to the hill near the collegiate church. New town was called Great Opatów (Opatów Wielki), also Magnum Oppathow and Magna Opatow.