KALISZ

city, capital of Kalisz wojewdztwo (province), west-central Poland, situated on the Prosna River. The excavations of a prehistoric village and mention of the settlement as Calisia by the astronomer-geographer Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD are evidences of the town's antiquity. A powerful castle stood there from the 12th to the 14th century. Kalisz obtained town rights in 1282. Now industrialized, Kalisz specializes in textile production, a trade begun during the 15th century. It contains many scenic parks and historic churches and the regional museum. Pop. (1992 est.) 106,400.