KIELCE

city, capital, Kielce wojewdztwo (province), southeastern Poland. It lies in the Holy Cross Mountains. Located on the Warsaw-Krakw rail line, Kielce is a major industrial centre that has metallurgical, machine, and food-production facilities. First chronicled in the late 11th century, the market town obtained municipal rights in 1360. It developed as an industrial and religious centre for the area, being held as an episcopal property from the 14th to the 16th century. Passing to Austria in 1795, it was freed during the Napoleonic Wars and then came under Russian control; in 1918 it was returned to Poland. During World War II, four German extermination camps were located there. The city contains a Baroque (163741) Bishop's Palace, now housing the Museum Swietokrzyskie, and a 17th-century cathedral (built 163235; rebuilt 19th century). Pop. (1989 est.) 211,100.