It is situated within Gliwice County in the Silesian Voivodeship (province), and its population was estimated at 3,600 inhabitants in 2019.

The beginning of the settlement and fortified keep dates back to the 9th and 10th centuries when the area was ruled by the Piasts, Mieszko I of Poland and later Bolesław I the Brave.

In 1593 Rudolf II sold the castle and the area to Freiherr von Redern auf Groß Strehlitz.

[4] On 20 March 1921, the Upper Silesia plebiscite was held in which a majority of inhabitants voted to remain in Germany rather than rejoin Poland, which just regained independence following World War I (1348 or 86% vs. 217 or 13.8%, at 97.4% turnout).

[6] During the Second World War, the civilian internment camp IIag VIII was situated in the city.

[8] The Germans also operated the E478 forced labour subcamp of the Stalag VIII-B/344 POW camp in the town.