The history of Oświęcim dates back to the 11th century, the early years of Polish statehood. As the centuries passed, it was an independent Dutchy or principality, subordinate to neighboring small kingdoms. In the mid-15th century, Oświęcim was incorporated into the Kingdom of Poland. It prospered during the Jagiellonian times, until the catastrophic Swedish Deluge. Oświęcim, burned down by the Swedes, fell into declined.
An interesting building in Oświęcim is a gothic chapel of St. Jack. It is a former chapter house of the Dominican monastery. It was built in the first half of the 14th century.
Oświęcim is the site of the former Auschwitz concentration camp, established in the spring of 1940, when Poland was occupied by Nazi Germany. At first, the Germans used the former military barracks, but the camp was expanded and turned into a huge death complex.
