THE HISTORY OF A DISTRICT
The land which ranges the Western Warsaw District has a very rich history.
The town of Błonie is the oldest in Mazovia, it was erected nearby the town dated from 13th century. The traces of colonization, similarly as in neighbouring Leszno, are much older and dated from 8th century. On the 2nd of May 1338 Błonie was given municipal magdeburski rights. Since the end of 14th century the town played the role of the capital of a district in Warsaw land, and from the end of 15th century it was the seat of county and important trade center. In 16th century Błonie was mainly famous for shoemakers and brewers.
In the beginning of 18th century Swedish armies destroyed the town. In 1807-1815 the town belonged to Duchy of Warsaw, and further on to the Polish Kingom. At the turn of 19th and 20th centuries, the economic life was born, however, the battles of Błonie during WWI and cholera epidemic, caused a decrease of the inhabitants’ number. Since 1900 till 1925 Błonie was a disctrict. The years of II World War brought many victims. In 1939, the prisoner-of-war camp was created, later becoming a Labour-camp.
Leszno also has a rich history. The settlement in this place existed since 1400-1200 before Christ’s birth, and the first record about it is dated from 1423. In the Middle Ages, Leszno became the seat of Leszczyńscy of Boża Wola coat of arms. Since 1526 was a part of Mazovian province, and till 1945 it was a personal property; it belonged to Plichta, Łuszczewscy, Szymanowscy, Piotrowscy. Leszno economic development started in 19th century, and it was particularly connected with starting "Michałów" sugar factory in 1894.
The history of Stare Babice, Ozarów and Kampinos, first mentioned in 1400, dates back to the times of the Middle Ages. The record about ducal village Ożarowo dates back from 1414. Since the end of 16th century it was rented from Warsaw starosts, being a part of their salary. The town development started in 1901 after founding "Ożarów" glassworks in Franciszków settlement. In September 1939.in nearby Ołtarzew, stiff fights were carried out with Nazi armies. Ożarów received municipal rights in 1967.
Kampinos received municipal rights in 1414. At that time it belonged to Mszczonów district in Ziemia ciechanowska. In 1557 it lost municipal status.
Izabelin is the youngest commune situated on a district land and it has existed since January 1995. The first record dates back from 15th century and concerns Truskawy village. It is known from the historic records, that inhabitants of villages located on very poor soils, made for the living from the forest’s resources. During the II World War, resistance movement acted here and hard fights with occupant were carried out.