wikipedia_id stringlengths 2 8 | wikipedia_title stringlengths 1 243 | url stringlengths 44 370 | contents stringlengths 53 2.22k | id int64 0 6.14M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
74601 | Bytom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bytom | Bytom
Kachel (1913–1983), head of the pre-war Polish Scouting Association in Germany
- Hans-Joachim Pancherz (1914–2008), German aviator and test pilot
- Horst Winter (1914–2001), German/Austrian jazz musician
- Leo Scheffczyk (1920–2005), German theologian and cardinal
- Haim Yavin (born 1932), Israeli news anchor
- Wolfgang Reichmann (1932–1991), German actor
- Reinhard Opitz (1934–1986), German political scientist
- Józef Szmidt (born 1935), Polish triple jumper
- Jan Liberda (born 1936), Polish footballer
- Wiesław Ochman (born 1937), Polish opera singer
- Jan Banaś (born 1943), Polish footballer
- Walter Winkler (born 1943), Polish footballer
- Zygmunt Anczok (born 1946), Polish footballer
- | 7,500 |
74601 | Bytom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bytom | Bytom
Jerzy Konikowski (born 1947), chess player
- Leszek Engelking (born 1955), Polish poet, writer, translator and scholar
- Waldemar Legień (born 1963), Polish judoka, Olympic champion from Seoul and Barcelona
- Marzena Godecki (born 1978), Australian actress
- Dorota Kobiela (born 1978), Polish filmmaker
- Paul Freier (born 1979), German footballer
- Gosia Andrzejewicz (born 1984), Polish pop singer
- Martyna Majok (born 1985), Polish-American playwright
- Kamil Drozd (born 1997), Polish musician
# External links.
- Municipality of Bytom
- Old postcards from Bytom
- Jewish Community in Bytom on Virtual Shtetl
- Customs House of Bytom
- Pictures and history of Bytom
- Kino Gloria | 7,501 |
74601 | Bytom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bytom | Bytom
er, translator and scholar
- Waldemar Legień (born 1963), Polish judoka, Olympic champion from Seoul and Barcelona
- Marzena Godecki (born 1978), Australian actress
- Dorota Kobiela (born 1978), Polish filmmaker
- Paul Freier (born 1979), German footballer
- Gosia Andrzejewicz (born 1984), Polish pop singer
- Martyna Majok (born 1985), Polish-American playwright
- Kamil Drozd (born 1997), Polish musician
# External links.
- Municipality of Bytom
- Old postcards from Bytom
- Jewish Community in Bytom on Virtual Shtetl
- Customs House of Bytom
- Pictures and history of Bytom
- Kino Gloria Foundation
- St. Barbara's Church. Old postcards
- art1900.info BYTOM Art Nouveau in Bytom | 7,502 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
Radom
Radom (; "Rodem") is a city in east-central Poland, located south of Poland's capital, Warsaw, on the Mleczna River, in (as of 1999) the Masovian Voivodeship, having previously been the capital of Radom Voivodeship (1975–1998). Despite being part of the Masovian Voivodeship, the city historically belongs to Lesser Poland. For centuries, Radom was part of the Sandomierz Voivodeship of the Kingdom of Poland and the later Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was an important center of administration, having served as seat of the Crown Council. The Pact of Vilnius and Radom was signed there in 1401, and the Nihil novi and Łaski's Statute were adopted by the Sejm at Radom's Royal Castle in 1505. | 7,503 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
In 1976, it was a center of anti Communist street protests. Radom is the fourteenth-largest city in Poland and the second-largest in the voivodeship with a population of 213,029 as of 2018, down from 221,066 in 2011.
The city is home to the biennial Radom Air Show, the largest and best-attended air show in Poland, held during the last weekend of August. "Radom" is also the popular unofficial name for a semiautomatic 9 mm Para pistol of Polish design (the Model 35/ViS-35) which was produced from 1935 to 1944 at the national arsenal located in the city, under the directorship of Kazimierz Ołdakowski, after whom a square in Radom is named. The Łucznik Arms Factory (still located in Radom) continues | 7,504 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
to produce modern military firearms.
The international Radom Jazz Festival and the International Gombrowicz Theater Festival are held in the city.
# History.
Radom's original settlement dates back to the 8th–9th century. It was an early medieval town in the valley of the Mleczna River (on the approximate site of present-day "Old Town"). In the second half of the 10th century, it became a gord, called "Piotrówka", which was protected by a rampart and a moat. Due to convenient location on the edge of a large wilderness, and its proximity to the border of Lesser Poland and Mazovia, Radom quickly emerged as an important administrative center of the early Kingdom of Poland. "Piotrówka" was probably | 7,505 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
named after St. Peter church, which in 1222 was placed under the authority of a Benedictine Abbey in nearby Sieciechów. The church no longer exists; the oldest still-extant church in Radom is St. Wacław, founded in the 13th century by Prince of Sandomierz Leszek I the White. The first documented mention of Radom comes from the year 1155, in a bull of Pope Adrian IV ("villam iuxta Rado, que vocatur Zlauno", or "a village near Radom, called Sławno"). By 1233, Radom was the seat of a castellan. The name of the city comes from the ancient Slavic given name "Radomir", and Radom means a "gord, which belongs to Radomir".
In the second half of the 13th century, Radom was granted a Środa Śląska town | 7,506 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
charter by Prince Bolesław V the Chaste, although no documents exist to confirm the exact date of this event. The town prospered in the 14th century, when in 1350 King Kazimierz Wielki established the so-called "New Town", with a royal castle, a defensive wall, and a town hall. There was also a market square and a grid plan of the streets, patterned after Gothic German towns. The area of "New Town" was 9 hectares, and the length of the defensive wall was 1,100 meters. Radom had three gates, named after main merchant roads: "Iłża Gate", "Piotrków Trybunalski Gate", and "Lublin Gate". The defensive wall was further protected by 25 fortified towers. "New Town" had the Church of John the Baptist, | 7,507 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
and the Royal Castle was built between the church and the moat.
In 1364, Radom’s obsolete Środa Śląska rights were replaced with more modern Magdeburg rights, and residents gained several privileges as a result. At that time, Radom was located along the so-called "Oxen Trail", from Ruthenian lands to Silesia. In 1376, the city became the seat of a starosta, and entered the period of its greatest prosperity.
## Poland's Golden Age.
King Władysław Jagiełło granted several privileges to the city. Jagiełło himself frequently travelled from Kraków to Vilnius, and liked to stay at Radom Castle en route. On March 18, 1401, the Pact of Vilnius and Radom was signed, which strengthened the Polish–Lithuanian | 7,508 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
union. Immediately after the Pact, preparations for the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War began. King Casimir IV Jagiellon frequently visited Radom, along with his wife, Elizabeth of Austria. Here, the King would host foreign envoys, from such countries as the Crimean Khanate, the Kingdom of Bohemia, and the Duchy of Bavaria. On November 18, 1489, Johann von Tiefen, the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, paid homage to King Jagiellon at Radom Castle. Mikołaj Radomski, one of the earliest Polish composers, comes from Radom. In 1468, the complex of a Bernardine church and monastery was founded here by King Jagiellon, with support of the local starosta, Dominik z Kazanowa. The complex was originally | 7,509 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
made of wood (until 1507).
In 1481, Radom became the residence of Prince Kazimierz, the son of King Jagiellon, who ruled the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The young prince died of tuberculosis, and later became patron saint of both the city of Radom (since 1983), and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Radom (since 1992). During the reign of Alexander Jagiellon, the Nihil novi act was adopted by the Polish Sejm in a meeting at Radom Castle. Furthermore, at the same meeting, the first codification of law published in the Kingdom of Poland was accepted. Radom remained one of the most important urban centers of Sandomierz Voivodeship, the seat of a county, and of the Treasure Tribunal (1613-1764), which | 7,510 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
controlled taxation. Several kings visited the city, including Stephen Bathory and his wife Anna Jagiellon, Sigismund III Vasa, and August III Sas. In 1623 many residents died in an epidemic, and in 1628, half of Radom burned in a fire.
The period of prosperity ended during the Swedish invasion of Poland. The Swedish army captured the city without a fight in November 1655. At first the invaders behaved correctly, as King Charles X Gustav still sought alliances within the Polish-Lithuanian nobility; the situation changed, however, in early 1656, when anti-Swedish uprisings broke out in southern Lesser Poland and quickly spread across the country. Radom was looted and almost completely destroyed | 7,511 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
in August 1656. Its population shrank from some 2,000 before the war, to 395 in 1660, with only 37 houses still standing. Swedish soldiers burned the royal castle and the monastery. With the Polish population in decline, the number of Jewish settlers grew by the early 18th century. In 1682 the first Piarists arrived, and in 1737-1756, opened a college.
Radom remained within the Sandomierz Voivodeship of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until the third partition of Poland (1795). For a few years (1795 - 1809) it was part of the Austrian province of West Galicia, and then (1809 - 1815) part of the Duchy of Warsaw, which named it capital of the Radom Department. From 1815 the city belonged to | 7,512 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
Russian-controlled Congress Poland, remaining a regional administrative center. In 1816 - 1837 it was the capital of the Sandomierz Voivodeship, whose capital, despite the name, was at Radom. In 1837 - 1844 it was the capital of the Sandomierz Governorate, and from 1844 until the outbreak of World War I, the capital of the Radom Governorate. The city was an important center of the November Uprising. Its obsolete and ruined fortifications were destroyed upon order of Mayor Józef Królikowski. In the early days of the January Uprising, Marian Langiewicz visited Radom, preparing the rebellion. In 1867 a sewage system was built. Streets were gradually paved, and in 1885, a rail line from Dąbrowa | 7,513 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
Górnicza to Dęblin was completed, via Radom. In the early 20th century a power plant was built. The city was captured by the Austro-Hungarian Army in July 1915. An Austrian garrison remained until November 1918.
## Modern era.
In the Second Polish Republic Radom became part of Kielce Voivodeship. In 1932 the City County of Radom was created, and the following year, its rail connection with Warsaw was completed. In the late 1930s, due to the government project known as the Central Industrial Area, several new factories were built; by 1938, the population had grown to 80,000. The city was also a military garrison, serving as headquarters of the 72nd Infantry Regiment. On September 8, 1939, during | 7,514 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
World War II, Radom was captured by the Wehrmacht. The German occupiers carried out several executions of civilians, and formed the Radom Ghetto, with a population of 34,000 Jews, most of whom perished at the Treblinka extermination camp. Radom was also a center of Polish resistance, with numerous Home Army units operating in the area. On September 9, 1945, the city was briefly seized by the Cursed soldiers, who broke into a local prison, releasing a number of Home Army soldiers.
Up to the Second World War, like many other cities in interwar Poland, Radom had a large Jewish population. According to the Russian census of 1897, out of the total population of 28,700, Jews constituted 11,200 (~39% | 7,515 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
percent).
## Current events.
In 2007, two pilots died in an accident at the air show, resulting in the cancellation of the rest of the event. On 30 August 2009, also during the air show, another two pilots who represented Belarus were killed when their plane crashed.
Radom was one of the main centres of the strike action taken by Polish health care workers in 2007.
RKS Radomiak Radom is the most popular football team in Radom.
# Geography.
## Climate.
Radom has a humid continental climate (Köppen: "Dfb").
## Places of interest.
- St Waenceslaus church in the Old Town Square: founded by Leszek I the White, built in the 13th century in gothic style
- St John the Baptist church: founded | 7,516 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
by Casimir III, built in the years 1360–1370 in gothic style, and re-constructed many times
- Bernardine church and monastery: founded by Casimir IV of Poland, built in the years 1468–1507
- Holy Trinity Church: built in the years 1619–1627 in the baroque style, burned in a fire and was rebuilt in the years 1678–1691
- Gąska's and Esterka's Houses: 16th / 17th century
- Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession: built in 1785
- Building of city council: built in the years 1825–1827, designed in classical style by Antonio Corazzi
- City hall: built in the years 1847–1848
- Cathedral of Virgin Mary: built in the years 1899–1908 in neo-gothic style
- Tool gates: built in the nineteenth | 7,517 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
century in classical style
- Radom Air Show: the most popular air show in Poland.
# Culture.
## The arts.
### Philharmonic.
- Radom Chamber Orchestra established in 2007
### Cinemas.
- Helios cinemas
- Hel (currently not functioning)
- Multikino cinemas
### Theatre.
- Jan Kochanowski Theatre
### Museums and art galleries.
- Jacek Malczewski Museum
- Modern art museum
- Scouting Museum
- "Elektrownia" - Power station built in 1903, renewed as a Modern art gallery
- Cultural Heritage Gallery of Radom
- Skansen in Radom
## Sports.
- RoSa Sport Radom - men's basketball team, founded in 2004, currently in 1st league and the international Basketball Champions League.
- Radomiak | 7,518 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
Radom - men's football team, founded in 1910, currently playing in 3rd league.
- Czarni Radom - men's volleyball team, founded in 1921, currently playing in 1st league.
- Jadar Radom former men's volleyball team, played in 1st league in 2006-10.
- Broń Radom - men's football team, founded in 1926, currently in 3rd league.
# Transport.
Radom is an important railroad junction, where two lines meet: east–west connection from Lublin to Łódź, and north–south from Warsaw to Kielce, and Kraków. The city is also located close
to European route E77, here the European route E371 begins, which runs southwards, to Slovakia. The famous Radom Air Show takes place at "Radom Airport", an airport located | 7,519 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
from the center of Radom.
# Education.
Radom is home to about 20 schools of higher education:
- Instytut Teologiczny Uniwersytetu Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Radomiu - department of theology
- Kolegium Nauczycielskie
- Nauczycielskie Kolegium Języków Obcych
- Niepubliczne Nauczycielskie Kolegium Języków Obcych
- Niepubliczne Nauczycielskie Kolegium Języków Obcych TWP
- Radom Technical University "(Politechnika Radomska)"
- University College of Environmental Sciences "(Wyższa Szkoła Ochrony Środowiska)"
- Radomska Szkoła Zarządzania
- Warsaw Agricultural University - department in Radom "(Szkoła Główna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego w Warszawie)"
- College of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska | 7,520 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
University "(Kolegium licencjackie Uniwersytetu Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej)"
- Warsaw University - department in Radom "(Uniwersytet Warszawski)"
- Maria Curie-Skłodowska University - department in Radom "(Uniwersytet Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej)"
- Wyższa Inżynierska Szkoła Bezpieczeństwa i Organizacji Pracy
- Higher Business College "(Wyższa Szkoła Biznesu)"
- Higher Financial and Banking College "(Wyższa Szkoła Finansów i Bankowości)"
- Higher Merchant College "(Wyższa Szkoła Handlowa)"
- Higher Seminary "(Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne)"
- Higher Journalis College "(Wyższa Szkoła Dziennikarska)"
- Zespół Szkół Medycznych
# Other.
- At the Western part of Radom, there is a facility for | 7,521 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
commercial LF transmission (not broadcasting), the Radom longwave transmitter
- The Łucznik Arms Factory in Radom produces a range of military firearms such as assault rifles
- The book, Outcry - Holocaust Memoirs by Manny Steinberg chronicles a young Jewish man's life and trials during the Nazi occupation of Radom and beyond. Published by Amsterdam Publishers, The Netherlands in 2014.
# Politics.
Members of Parliament (Sejm) elected from Radom constituency
- Ewa Kopacz (PO)
- Dariusz Bąk (PIS)
- Mirosław Maliszewski (PSL)
- Czesław Czechyra (PO)
- Marek Suski (PIS)
- Marek Wikiński (SLD),
- Radosław Witkowski (PO)
- Krzysztof Sońta (PIS)
# International relations.
## Twin towns | 7,522 |
74597 | Radom | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radom | Radom
rdam Publishers, The Netherlands in 2014.
# Politics.
Members of Parliament (Sejm) elected from Radom constituency
- Ewa Kopacz (PO)
- Dariusz Bąk (PIS)
- Mirosław Maliszewski (PSL)
- Czesław Czechyra (PO)
- Marek Suski (PIS)
- Marek Wikiński (SLD),
- Radosław Witkowski (PO)
- Krzysztof Sońta (PIS)
# International relations.
## Twin towns — sister cities.
Radom is twinned with:
# Notable people.
Notable people who have been born, have lived or have worked in Radom:
# External links.
- Official web page of Radom in English
- Official web page of Radom in Polish
- Radom Culture
- http://www.nasz-radom.pl/
- Radom photo gallery
- Jewish Community in Radom on Virtual Shtetl | 7,523 |
74616 | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=L'Hospitalet%20de%20Llobregat | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (; ), often shortened to L'Hospitalet, is a municipality to the immediate southwest of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain.
By population, it is the second largest in Catalonia and the sixteenth in Spain. It is noted as one of the most densely populated cities in the European Union.
# History and toponymy.
The first records of the settlement date to the Neolithic era with artefacts showing human habitation in the Llobregat river area. Roman artefacts have been found dating to the 2nd century BC such as a funeral decoration representing the head of Medusa, now in the Archaeological Museum of Catalonia. However it is not until the 10th century that | 7,524 |
74616 | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=L'Hospitalet%20de%20Llobregat | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
written references to "Provençana" (the city's original name) appear. The current name originates from the Catalan language and derives from a hostel next to the Church of Saint Eulalia of Provençana ("Santa Eulàlia de Provençana") used by pilgrims in the Middle Ages. The city retained the character of a village until the 19th century when the first textile factories were built causing a population boom. The 1960s and 1970s saw a second population boom, caused by immigration from poorer regions of Spain: however this was not matched by construction of the necessary amenities and it was only in the 1990s that public investment resulted in additional schools, leisure facilities and housing.
The | 7,525 |
74616 | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=L'Hospitalet%20de%20Llobregat | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
Swedish painter and former anarchist Ivan Aguéli died there, being killed by a train, in 1917.
# Demographics.
Only a very small majority of the city's residential population is native to Catalonia and over 22% of the city's inhabitants were born outside Spain, (mainly in Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Morocco). However the city has a large number of permanent or non-permanent residents from other countries of the European Union. Its population in the 2006 census consisted of 78% born in Spain (52% in Catalonia) and broke down as follows:
# Geography.
L'Hospitalet's surface is 12.49 km². The area on which the city is constructed may be divided in two different geological areas.
One | 7,526 |
74616 | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=L'Hospitalet%20de%20Llobregat | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
of them follows the coast typology and is called La Marina, similarly to two coast areas of neighbouring Barcelona's Zona Franca: La Marina del Prat Vermell and La Marina de Port. The latter half of L'Hospitalet is called El Samontà, which consists of hills and a more elevated area.
# Economy.
The city's reputation is largely still that of a depressed suburb, drawing on its proletarian origins and its reliance on Barcelona. But its economy has improved recently, as can be seen from the city's new skyline and relocation of companies to the city's new financial centre. Urban regeneration and construction took place during the 2000s, as well as ongoing work on improving public transportation | 7,527 |
74616 | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=L'Hospitalet%20de%20Llobregat | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
in the second municipality of the Barcelona metropolitan area. The former airline Spanair's headquarters were in L'Hospitalet. Former mayor Celestino Corbacho has campaigned to improve the city's infrastructure from his position in the Ministry of Work.
# Skyscrapers.
- Torre Realia BCN (2009) – 119 meters – Completed
- Hotel Porta Fira (2010) – 118 meters – Completed
- Hotel Catalonia Plaza Europa (2011) – 105 meters – Completed
- Hesperia Tower (2006) – 106 meters – Completed
- Tower Caixa Catalunya (?) – 106 meters – Planned
- Torre Inbisa (2010) – 104 meters – Completed
- Torre Zenit (2009) – 104 meters – Completed
- Hospital de Bellvitge (1972) – 82 meters – Completed
- Tower | 7,528 |
74616 | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=L'Hospitalet%20de%20Llobregat | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
Colonial (?) – 75 meters – Under Construction (on hold)
- Tower Fadesa I (2009) – 65 meters – Completed
- Tower Fadesa II (2009) – 65 meters – Completed
- Tower Fadesa III (2009) – 65 meters – Completed
- City Judicial Building A (2008) – 62 meters – Completed
- City Judicial Building C (2008) – 58 meters- Completed
- Torre Melina (Hotel Rey Juan Carlos) (1992) – 60 meters -Completed
# Administrative units.
## District I.
- El Centre
El Centre is the historical centre of the city, the oldest neighbourhood, where the City Council is, as well as the centre of activities such as La Farga and many of the cultural buildings, such as the History Museum, the Can Sumarro library, the cultural | 7,529 |
74616 | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=L'Hospitalet%20de%20Llobregat | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
centre "Barradas" or the "Sala Alexandre Cirici". It borders the district of Sanfeliu and Can Serra to the north, Bellvitge to the south, Sant Josep to the east, and the city of Cornellà de Llobregat to the west.
- Sant Josep
Sant Josep remains framed by the square that is formed by the avenue of the Fabregada and that of Isabella The Catholic ("Isabel la Catòlica") to the west, the Torrent Gornal to the east, the railroad on the north side Carrilet to the south. In this area, all the industrial activities that Hospitalet had through the ages left their mark: from the flour mills and the distilleries, up to the different energetic exploitation of the waterfalls of the Canal de la Infanta or | 7,530 |
74616 | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=L'Hospitalet%20de%20Llobregat | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
the ceramic, textile, metallurgical and chemical industries. In fact, Sant Josep was originally an industrial suburb, but the subsequent disappearance of many factories, as well as the population increase, have given it a residential character.
- Sanfeliu
Civic life in this quarter centres on the avenue of the Cirerers and the Communities Square ("Plaça de les Comunitats"). This public space is the scene of the greatest holiday celebrations, such as the festival of Sant Joan, the Carnival, and many other popular events. The cultural centre is also at the heart of many of the activities.
## District II.
- Collblanc
This ward has a marked commercial character, centred near the Collblanc Metro | 7,531 |
74616 | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=L'Hospitalet%20de%20Llobregat | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
stop. The Market Square ("Plaça del Mercat") and the surroundings are the main centre of cultural life.
- La Torrassa
Its origins has been linked to Collblanc. Today, the Spanish Square ("Plaça Espanyola") and the new park of La Torrassa are the at heart of this neighbourhood and is where the holiday celebrations at the beginning of every summer are largest.
## District III.
- Santa Eulàlia
Its origins are dated back to Medieval times thanks to the presence of the Santa Eulàlia de Provençana hermitage (dated in the 12th century thanks to an inscription in the façade). Also it was very important during the Industrial Revolution thanks to the presence of many industries in the quarter, such | 7,532 |
74616 | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=L'Hospitalet%20de%20Llobregat | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
as Can Trinxet, L'Aprestadora or Can Pareto.
- Gran Via Sud
It is the smallest quarter in the town.
## District IV.
- La Florida
- Les Planes
## District V.
- Pubilla Casas
- Can Serra
## District VI.
- Bellvitge
In 1964 the Inmobiliaria Ciudad Condal S.A. (ICC) company initiated the construction of this neighbourhood as it stands nowadays, beside the hermitage, on land which had been bought from local farmers. It was designed as a residential area to house the large number of immigrants who came to Catalonia from elsewhere in Spain – more than 126,000 people in 1964 – in search of work.
- Gornal
## District VII.
- Granvia l'Hospitalet
# International relations.
## Twin towns | 7,533 |
74616 | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=L'Hospitalet%20de%20Llobregat | L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
n of this neighbourhood as it stands nowadays, beside the hermitage, on land which had been bought from local farmers. It was designed as a residential area to house the large number of immigrants who came to Catalonia from elsewhere in Spain – more than 126,000 people in 1964 – in search of work.
- Gornal
## District VII.
- Granvia l'Hospitalet
# International relations.
## Twin towns and sister cities.
L'Hospitalet is twinned with the following cities:
- Bayonne, France
- Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
# See also.
- Metropolitan area of Barcelona
- Zona Franca (Barcelona)
# External links.
- Artistic and historical buildings in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
- Government data pages | 7,534 |
74610 | Opole | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Opole | Opole
Opole
Opole ( , , , , ) is a city located in southern Poland on the Oder River and the historical capital of Upper Silesia. With a population of approximately 128,137 (December 2018), it is the capital of Opole Voivodeship and the seat of Opole County. With its long history dating back to the 8th century, Opole is one of the oldest cities in Poland. It is also the smallest city in Poland to be the largest city in a voivodeship.
The origins of the first settlement are connected with the town being granted Magdeburg Rights in 1217 by Casimir I of Opole, the great-grandson of Polish Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth. During the Medieval Period and the Renaissance the city was known as a centre of commerce | 7,535 |
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due to its position on the intersection of several main trade routes, which helped to generate steady profits from transit trade. The rapid development of the town was also caused by the establishment of a seat of regency in Opole in 1816. The first railway connection between Opole, Brzeg and Wrocław was opened in 1843 and the first manufacturing plants were constructed in 1859, which greatly contributed to the city's regional significance.
The city's extensive heritage entails almost all cultures of Central Europe including years of Polish, Bohemian, Prussian and German rule. Opole formally became part of Poland again in 1945 under the Potsdam Agreement. Many German Upper Silesians and Poles | 7,536 |
74610 | Opole | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Opole | Opole
of German ancestry still reside in the Opole region; in the city itself, however, ethnic Germans today make up less than 3% of the population following the 1945-6 expulsions.
Today there are four higher education establishments in the city: The Opole University, Opole University of Technology, a Medical College and the private Higher College of Management and Administration. The National Festival of Polish Song has been held here annually since 1963 and each year new regular events, fairs, shows and competitions take place.
Opole is sometimes referred to as "Polish Venice", because of its picturesque Old Town and several canals and bridges connecting parts of the city.
# Name.
The name ""Opole"" | 7,537 |
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likely originated from the medieval Slavic term for a group of settlements.
# History.
## In Medieval Poland.
Opole's history begins in the 8th century. At this time, according to the archeological excavations, the first Slavic settlement was founded on the Ostrówek - the northern part of the Pasieka Island in the middle of the Oder river. In the early 10th century it developed into one of the main "gords" of the Slavic Opolanie tribe.
At the end of the century Silesia became part of Poland and was ruled by the Piast dynasty; the land of the pagan Opolanie was conquered by Duke Mieszko I in 992. From the 11th-12th centuries it was also a castellany. After the death of Duke Władysław II the | 7,538 |
74610 | Opole | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Opole | Opole
Exile, Silesia was divided in 1163 between two Piast lines- the Wrocław line in Lower Silesia and the Opole-Racibórz of Upper Silesia. Opole would become a duchy in 1172 and would share much in common with the Duchy of Racibórz, with which it was often combined. In 1281 Upper Silesia was divided further between the heirs of the dukes. The Duchy of Opole was temporarily reestablished in 1290.
In the early 13th century, Duke Casimir I of Opole decided to move the settlement from the Pasieka Island into the right shore of the Oder river (since the 17th century it is the old stream bed of Oder known as Młynówka). All of the inhabitants had to be moved in order to make place for the castle that | 7,539 |
74610 | Opole | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Opole | Opole
was eventually built in the place of the old city. Former inhabitants of Ostrówek together with German merchants that immigrated here from the West, received first town rights probably as early as around 1217, although this date is disputed. Opole received German town law in 1254, which was expanded with Neumarkt law in 1327. Opole developed during the rule of duke Bolko I of Opole. In this time the castle was finally completed and new buildings, including the city walls and the Holy Cross Church, were constructed.
Along with most of Silesia, in 1327 the Duchy of Opole came under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Bohemia, itself part of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1521 the Duchy of Racibórz ("Ratibor") | 7,540 |
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was inherited by the Duchy of Opole, by then also known by its German equivalent - Oppeln. The second castle of Opole was probably founded in the 14th century by duke Vladislaus II, though some sources claim that it was originally a wooden stronghold of Opole's castellan dating into 12th century.
## Austrian Habsburgs and Polish Vasas rule.
With the death of King Ludvík II of Bohemia at the Battle of Mohács, Silesia was inherited by Ferdinand I, placing Opole under the sovereignty of the Habsburg Monarchy of Austria. The Habsburgs took control of the region in 1532 after the last Piast duke of Opole - Jan II the Good died. In those days the city was still mainly Polish-speaking (around 63%), | 7,541 |
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with other nationalities represented mainly by Germans, Czechs and Jews. The last two dukes of Opole, Nicholas II and Janusz II the Good, did not master the German language.
Beginning in 1532 the Habsburgs pawned the duchy to different rulers including several monarchs of Poland (see Dukes of Opole). After the Swedish invasion of Poland, in 1655 the King of Poland, John II Casimir Vasa, stayed with the entire court in Opole. In Opole in November 1655, the Universal of Opole ("Uniwersał opolski") was issued by the King, calling for Poles to rise against the Swedes, who at that time occupied a large part of Poland.
With the abdication of King John II Casimir of Poland as the last Duke of Opole | 7,542 |
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in 1668, the region passed to the direct control of the Habsburgs. At the beginning of the 18th century the German population of Opole was estimated at around 20%.
## In Prussian Silesia.
King Frederick II of Prussia conquered most of Silesia from Austria in 1740 during the Silesian Wars; Prussian control was confirmed in the Peace of Breslau in 1742. During the Prussian rule the ethnic structure of the city began to change. In the early 20th century the number of Polish and bilingual citizens of Opole, according to the official German statistics, varied from only 25% to 31%. Nonetheless, Opole remained an important cultural, social and political center for the Poles of Upper Silesia. From | 7,543 |
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1849 the Polish newspaper "Gazeta Wiejska dla Górnego Śląska" was published in Opole. Polish reporter and opponent of Germanisation Bronisław Koraszewski founded the newspaper "Gazeta Opolska" in 1890 and the People's Bank in Opole ("Opolski Bank Ludowy") in 1897. Another Polish newspaper, the "Nowiny" was founded by Franciszek Kurpierz in 1911.
From 1816–1945 Opole was the capital of Regierungsbezirk Oppeln within Prussia. The city became part of the German Empire during the unification of Germany in 1871.
## After World War I.
After the defeat of Imperial Germany in World War I, a plebiscite was held on 20 March 1921 in Oppeln to determine if the city would be in the Weimar Republic or | 7,544 |
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become part of the Second Polish Republic. 20,816 (94.7%) votes were cast for Germany, 1,098 (5.0%) for Poland, and 70 (0.3%) votes were declared invalid. Voter participation was 95.9%. Results of the plebiscite in the Oppeln-Land county were different, with 30% of population voting for Poland.
Oppeln was the administrative seat of the Province of Upper Silesia from 1919–1939. In the years 1928-1931, by the decision of the German regional administration, the Piast Castle was demolished. Thanks to the strong opposition of the local Polish community and protests of the Union of Poles in Germany, at least the castle tower was saved from demolition. Nowadays called the "Piast Tower" it is one of | 7,545 |
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the city's landmarks. In 1929, a Polish theater from Katowice came to Opole for a performance of the opera "Halka" by Stanisław Moniuszko. After the performance, the actors were brutally beaten by a German militia with the silent consent of the German police.
With the defeat of Poland in the invasion of Poland at the beginning of World War II in 1939, formerly Polish Eastern Upper Silesia was re-added to the Province of Upper Silesia and Oppeln lost its status as provincial capital to Katowice (renamed Kattowitz).
On 15 February 1941 and 26 February 1941, two deportation transports with 2,003 Jewish men, women and children on board left Vienna Aspang Station for the ghetto which had been set | 7,546 |
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up in Oppeln. By March 1941, 8,000 Jews were deported to Oppeln. From May 1941, 800 men capable of work were deployed as forced labourers in Deblin. The "Liquidation" of the Oppeln ghetto began in the spring 1942. A transport to Belzec extermination camp left on 31 March 1942 and deportations to Sobibor followed in May and October 1942. Of the 2,003 Viennese Jews, only twenty-eight are known to have survived.
## In modern Poland.
After the end of the Second World War in 1945, Oppeln was transferred from Germany to Poland according to the Potsdam Conference, and given its original Slavic name of Opole. Opole became part of the Katowice Voivodeship from 1946–1950, after which it became part | 7,547 |
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of the Opole Voivodeship. Unlike other parts of the so-called Recovered Territories, Opole and the surrounding region's indigenous population remained and was not forcibly expelled as elsewhere. Over 1 million Silesians who considered themselves Poles or were treated as such by the authorities due to their language and customs were allowed to stay after they were verified as Poles in a special verification process. It involved declaring Polish nationality and an oath of allegiance to the Polish nation.
In the later years however many of them left to West Germany to flee the communist Eastern Bloc (see Emigration from Poland to Germany after World War II). Today Opole, along with the surrounding | 7,548 |
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region, is known as a centre of the German minority in Poland that recruits mainly from the descendants of the positively verified autochthons. In the city itself however only 2.46% of the inhabitants declared German nationality according to the last national census of 2002.
On January 1, 2017, Borki, Chmielowice, Czarnowąsy, Krzanowice, Sławice, Świerkle, Winów, Wrzoski, Żerkowice as well as parts of Brzezie, Dobrzeń Mały and Karczów became a part of Opole, enlargening its population by about 9,500, and its area by over 5,300 ha, despite the protests of inhabitants.
# Historical population.
In the early 20th century the number of Polish and bilingual citizens of Opole, according to the official | 7,549 |
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German statistics, varied from 25 to 31%.
¹ First census of the city
² 8,320 German nationality (93.7%) and 557 Polish nationality (6.3%)
³ 80% German-speaking, 16% Polish-speaking, and 4% bilingual Polish-German-speaking
# German minority.
Alongside German and Polish, many citizens of Opole-Oppeln before 1945 used a strongly German-influenced Silesian dialect (sometimes called "wasserpolnisch" or "wasserpolak"). Because of this, the post-war Polish state administration after the annexation of Silesia in 1945 did not initiate a general expulsion of all former inhabitants of Opole, as was done in Lower Silesia, for instance, where the population almost exclusively spoke the German language. | 7,550 |
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Because they were considered "autochthonous" (Polish), the Wasserpolak-speakers instead received the right to remain in their homeland after declaring themselves as Poles. Some German speakers took advantage of this decision, allowing them to remain in their Oppeln, even when they considered themselves to be of German nationality. The city surroundings currently contain the largest German and Upper Silesian minorities in Poland. However, Opole itself is only 2.46% German. (See also Germans of Poland.)
# Main sights.
Opole hosts the annual National Festival of Polish Song. The city is also known for its 10th-century Church of St. Adalbert and the 14th-century Church of the Holy Cross. There | 7,551 |
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is a zoo, the Ogród Zoologiczny w Opolu.
Structures and buildings
- Piast tower on the island (only part that remained of Piast castle)
- a 14th-century Franciscan church, a Piast mausoleum
- a 19th-century Town Hall
- the Church of our Lady of Sorrows and St. Adalbert ("Kościół Matki Boskiej Bolesnej i św. Wojciecha")
- the 14th-century Holy Cross Cathedral ("Bazylika katedralna Podwyższenia Krzyża Świętego")
- The art nouveau Penny Bridge ("Most Groszowy"), currently named Green Bridge ("Zielony Mostek")
- Opole Main Station, an eclectic building from early 20th century.
Museums
- Diocesan Museum ("Muzeum Diecezjalne")
- Opole Regional Museum ("Muzeum Śląska Opolskiego")
- Opole | 7,552 |
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Village Museum ("Muzeum Wsi Opolskiej")
Cemeteries
- The Jewish Cemetery in Opole was established in 1822, and it is a peculiar pantheon of the Jews of Opole.
# Geography.
Opole is one of the warmest cities in Poland. The national all time heat record was measured in Prószków, near Opole.
# Education.
- state-run universities and colleges:
- Opole University of Technology (Politechnika Opolska)
- University of Opole (Uniwersytet Opolski)
- Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole (Państwowa Medyczna Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa w Opolu)
- privately run colleges:
- Management and Administration College in Opole (Wyższa Szkoła Zarządzania i Administracji w Opolu)
- Bogdan Jański | 7,553 |
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Academy (Szkoła Wyższa im. Bogdana Jańskiego)
- WSB Universities - WSB University in Wrocław, departments of Economics
# Politics.
Members of Parliament (Sejm) elected from Opole constituency
- Danuta Jazłowiecka, PO
- Tadeusz Jarmuziewicz, PO
- Ryszard Knosala, PO
- Leszek Korzeniowski, PO
- Sławomir Kłosowski, PiS
- Teresa Ceglecka-Zielonka, PiS
- Mieczysław Walkiewicz, PiS
- Henryk Kroll, German minority
- Ryszard Galla, German minority
- Józef Stępkowski, Samoobrona
- Sandra Lewandowska, Samoobrona
- Tomasz Garbowski, SLD
- Marek Kawa, LPR
# Economy.
Opole is the Opole Voivodeship's centre for commerce, banking, industrial complexes and other major service sector industries.
Prior | 7,554 |
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to World War II, due to major limestone deposits in Opole's vicinity, the city developed as a centre for cement production in Germany, with the "Cementownia "Odra"" being active till this day. The French building materials company Lafarge is also active in the area, having its roofing division, Lafarge Roofing, together with its German subsidiary Schiedel (chimney manufacturing) based in Opole.
Other companies in the city include: the German valve manufacturer Kludi; the German men's fashion manufacturer Ahlers and the American automotive manufacturer Tower Automative. As is the case with the entire Opole Voivodeship, there is a strong presence of food industry services in the city. The largest | 7,555 |
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companies in the food sector include: Zott, the Dutch baby food and nutrition company Nutricia, part of the Danone food-products corporation.
Opole has branches of all major banks, including: PKO, Pekao, Deutsche Bank and Raiffeisen Zentralbank.
The retail sector in Opole includes major Metro AG brand stores: Metro Cash and Carry and Media-Saturn-Holding, as well as Real. The city has a plethora of other major supermarket chains, namely: the Polish supermarket chains Biedronka, Lidl, Aldi and Netto. Other major brand stores include the shoe retailer Deichmann and Rossmann drugstores.
Furthermore, the city has three major shopping centres. The Solaris Center, with a total of 86 shops, opened | 7,556 |
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in May 2009 and is located in the centre of Mikołaj Kopernik Square. In the city's suburbs, by Wrocławska Street ("ul. Wrocławska") is the location of Karolinka Shopping Centre ("Centrum Handlowe Karolinka"). The shopping centre, which opened in September 2008, has a total area of 38,000 m², with a total of 99 stores, including fashion, hardware and electronics stores. To the east of the city, by the National Road 46, is the smallest of the three shopping centres, Turawa Park, with a total of 50 stores. Other shopping centres include "Galeria Opolanin", built between 1974 and 1981 and upon its completion, was the largest shopping centre in Poland.
# Sports.
Among the city's most popular sports | 7,557 |
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team are:
- Odra Opole – football club, playing in the Polish second division. From the 1950s to the 1980s the team competed in the country's top flight, finishing 3rd in 1964.
- Orlik Opole – ice hockey club, playing in the Polish Hockey League, the country's top division.
- Kolejarz Opole – speedway club, competing on the Polish third tier. In the 1970s and 1980s the team competed in the country's top flight, finishing 3rd in 1970.
- Gwardia Opole – handball club, playing in the Polish Superliga, the country's top division, and finishing 3rd in 1964 and, recently, in 2019.
# Famous residents.
- Władysław Opolczyk, count palatine of Poland 1378
- Edwin von Drenkmann (1826–1904), famous | 7,558 |
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German lawyer
- Paul Kleinert (1837–1920), German theologian
- Emin Pasha (born "Eduard Schnitzer") (1840–1892), explorer and governor of Africa
- Jan Kasprowicz (1860–1926), poet
- Ferdinand von Prondzynski, 19th-century Prussian general, whose direct descendant Ferdinand von Prondzynski is Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland
- Bronisław Koraszewski (1863–1924), Polish activist, founder of "Gazeta Opolska"
- Oscar Slater (1872–1948), German/Scottish victim of miscarriage of justice
- Jakub Kania (1872–1957), Polish poet and writer, soldier in the Silesian Uprisings
- Leo Baeck (1873–1956), rabbi
- Szymon Koszyk (1891–1972), reporter, teacher | 7,559 |
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and Polish activist from Opole
- Karol Musioł (1902–1983), president of Opole, founder of the National Festival of Polish Song in Opole
- Joachim Prinz (1902, Bierdzan – 1988), rabbi, born here
- Edmund Osmańczyk (1913–1989), reporter, politician (6 times elected to the sejm and once to the senat)
- Rochus Misch (1917-2013), communications' chief of the Reichskanzlei and member of the Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler
- Jerzy Grotowski (1933–1999), theater director
- Jerzy Buzek (born 1940), academic and politician, President of the European Parliament, former Prime Minister of Poland
- Chester Marcol (born 1949), American football placekicker for the Green Bay Packers
- Bolesław Polnar | 7,560 |
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(born 1952), graphic artist and painter
- Andrzej Jerzy Lech (born 1955), artist and photographer
- Anna Brzezińska (born 1971), fantasy writer
- Miroslav Klose (born 1978), football player (playing in the German national football team)
- Krzysztof Szramiak (born 1984), Polish weightlifter
- Marcin Pontus (born 1985), football player
- Karolina Wydra (born 1981), actress
# International relations.
## Twin towns - Sister cities.
Opole is twinned with:
# References.
- "The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia". "Opole". Columbia University Press. Accessed June 4, 2006.
# External links.
- Opole - Official Tourist Information
- Municipal website
- Urban development of Opole in the "Historical-Topographical | 7,561 |
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playing in the German national football team)
- Krzysztof Szramiak (born 1984), Polish weightlifter
- Marcin Pontus (born 1985), football player
- Karolina Wydra (born 1981), actress
# International relations.
## Twin towns - Sister cities.
Opole is twinned with:
# References.
- "The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia". "Opole". Columbia University Press. Accessed June 4, 2006.
# External links.
- Opole - Official Tourist Information
- Municipal website
- Urban development of Opole in the "Historical-Topographical Atlas of Silesian Towns"
- Jewish Community in Opole on Virtual Shtetl
- Webcam showing Krakowska Street in Opole
- Culture: Amfiteart Opole
- Culture: KFPP Opole
br | 7,562 |
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Chorzów
Chorzów ( ; ) is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Chorzów is one of the central cities of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - a metropolis with a population of 2 million. It is located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Rawa River (a tributary of the Vistula).
Administratively, Chorzów is in the Silesian Voivodeship since 1999, previously Katowice Voivodeship, and before then, the Silesian Voivodeship. Chorzów is one of the cities of the 2.7 million conurbation - the Katowice urban area and within a greater Silesian metropolitan area with the population of about 5,294,000 people. The population within the city limits is 108,434 as of December 2018.
# History.
## | 7,563 |
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City name.
The city of Chorzów was formed in 1934-1939 by a merger of 4 adjacent cities: Chorzów, Królewska Huta, Nowe Hajduki and Hajduki Wielkie. The name of the oldest settlement "Chorzów" was applied to the amalgamated city.
The etymology of the name is not known. Chorzów is believed to be first mentioned as "Zversov" or "Zuersov" in a document of 1136 by Pope Innocent II as village with peasants, silver miners, and two inns. Another place name likely indicating Chorzów is Coccham or Coccha, which is mentioned in a document of 1198 by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who awarded this place to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Chorzów is then mentioned as "Chareu" or "Charev" | 7,564 |
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in 1257 and then "Charzow" in 1292. The last name may originate from the personal name "Charz", short for "Zachary" and may mean "Zachary's place". The "a" in the early names may have been later modified to the current pronunciation with "o" perhaps due to similarity to the common adjective "chory"="ill" and a presence of a hospital (which was moved in 1299 to Rozbark at the gates of Bytom). Today, the place of the old village is a subdivision called "Chorzów III" or "Chorzów Stary" = "the Old Chorzów".
The industrial and residential settlement south-west of Chorzów constructed since 1797 around the "Royal Coal Mine" and "Royal Iron Works" was named "Królewska Huta" by the Poles or "Königshütte" | 7,565 |
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by the Germans, both names meaning "Royal Iron Works". As it was growing quickly this settlement was granted city status in 1868. Today this neighbourhood is called "Chorzów I" or "Chorzów-Miasto" meaning "Chorzów Centre".
The etymology of "Hajduki" is ambiguous and is interpreted as either related to the German word for moorland (German: die Heide), or adopted from the German/Polish/Silesian term for hajduk(s) (Polish (plural): Hajduki; German (singular): Heiduck), which locally meant bandits. The place was first mentioned in 1627 as "Hejduk" and shown on 18th century maps as "Ober Heiduk" and "Nieder Heiduk" (i.e., Upper and Lower Heiduk). The later names "Hajduki Wielkie" and "Nowe Hajduki" | 7,566 |
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mean "Great Hajduks" and "New Hajduks", respectively. The two settlements were merged in 1903 and named after the Bismarck Iron Works "Bismarckhütte". When the international borders shifted, the name of Bismarck was replaced with the name of the Polish king Batory (so-chosen to preserve that initial "B", which appeared on an economically important local trademark). Today this city subdivision is called "Chorzów IV" or "Chorzów-Batory".
## From 12th century to World War I.
### Village of Chorzów.
In the 12th century, the castellany of Bytom, including the Chorzów area, belonged to the Seniorate Province (Kraków Duchy) of Poland. In 1179 it was awarded by Duke Casimir the Just to the Duke of | 7,567 |
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Opole, and since that time the history of Chorzów has been connected to the history of Upper Silesia (Duchy of Opole).
The oldest part of the city, the village of Chorzów, today called "Chorzów Stary", belonged since 1257 to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Already at that time silver and lead ores were mined nearby, later also the ores of iron. There is more documentation for 16th century developments.
From 1327, the Upper Silesian duchies were ruled by the dukes of the Piast dynasty and were subject to Bohemian overlordship. The Crown of Bohemia elected Polish-Lithuanian Jagiellons kings from 1471 and Austrian Habsburgs kings after 1526. In 1742, the area was conquered | 7,568 |
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by the Prussian Hohenzollerns in Silesian Wars, setting the stage for the Prussian industrial might. The Prussian and then German period lasted for about 180 years and overlapped with the time of rapid industrialization.
### Royal iron works, coal mines and chemistry.
With the discovery of bituminous coal deposits at the end of the 18th century by the Polish local priest Ludwik Bojarski, new industrial sectors developed in the Chorzów area. In the years 1791–1797 the Prussian state-owned Royal Coal Mine was constructed ("Kopalnia Król", "Königsgrube", later renamed several times with the changing political winds). In 1799, first pig iron was made in the Royal Iron Works ("Królewska Huta", | 7,569 |
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"Königshütte"). At the time, it was a pioneering industrial establishment of its kind in continental Europe. In 1819 the iron works consisted of 4 blast furnaces, producing 1,400 tons of pig-iron. In the 1800s the modern Lidognia Zinc Works was added in the area. In 1871 the iron works were taken over by the holding called "Vereingte Königs- und Laurahütte AG für Bergbau und Hüttenbetrieb", which added a steel mill, rail mill and workshops. In the vicinity of the Royal Coal Mine, "Countess Laura" Coal Mine was opened in 1870, and by 1913–1914 coal production increased to 1 million tons a year. In 1898, a thermal power plant was commissioned which was, until the 1930s, the biggest electricity | 7,570 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
producer in Poland with power of 100 MW (electrical). Today, it operates as "ELCHO". In 1915, nitrogen chemical works (Oberschlesische Stickstoffwerke) were built nearby to produce fertilizers and explosives by newly invented processes: from air, water and coal (see Haber-Bosch process). Today, it operates as "Zakłady Azotowe SA".
#### from village to city.
Settlements grew near the new coal and iron works. Since 1797, one group of settlements was called "Königshütte" ("Królewska Huta" in Polish) after the iron works. In 1846 Królewska Huta received a railway track to Świętochłowice and Mysłowice, in 1857 to Bytom and till 1872 to all major cities in the Silesian region. Królewska Huta received | 7,571 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
city status in 1868 as part of Bytom County, and in 1898 it was made a separate city-county.
The population of Królewska Huta was increasing rapidly: from 19,500 inhabitants in 1870 to 72,600 in 1910. Among them 17,300 workers were employed in the industry (similar number for 1939). The population spoke mostly Polish or German.
### Hajduki Wielkie suburb.
In the village of Hajduki Wielkie, just south of Chorzów and Królewska Huta, Bismarck Iron Works ("Bismarckhütte"), were opened in 1872, later called Bathory Iron Works ("Huta Batory"). A large carbochemical plant was started in 1889, the first such chemical plant in what was to later become the Polish state. Today the company operates as | 7,572 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
"Zakłady Koksochemiczne Hajduki SA".
### Polish community.
Towards the end of 19th century, Chorzów experienced a revival of Polish national feelings. Ethnic tensions were mixed with the religious and class conflicts. Karol Miarka was the editor of Polish books and newspapers including "Katolik" (The Catholic) published in Królewska Huta since 1868, "Poradnik Gospodarski" ("Economic Advisor") since 1879. He was also the founder of several organizations: Upper Silesian Union, Upper Silesian Peasants Union. Juliusz Ligoń was a Polish activist and poet. In 1920 the football club Ruch Chorzów was founded in the city. Later on, it would become one of the most successful Polish football teams.
## | 7,573 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
Interwar Poland (1922–1939).
In the Upper Silesia plebiscite a majority of 31,864 voters voted to remain in Germany while 10,764 votes were given for Poland Following three Silesian uprisings, the eastern part of Silesia, including Chorzów and Królewska Huta, was separated from Germany and awarded to Poland in 1922. Migrations of people followed. Because of its strategic value, the case of the nitrogen factory Oberschlesische Stickstoffwerke was argued for years before the Permanent Court of International Justice, finally setting some new legal precedences on what is "just" in international relations. In 1934, the industrial communities of Chorzów, Królewska Huta and Nowe Hajduki were merged | 7,574 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
into one municipality with 81,000 inhabitants. The name of the oldest settlement "Chorzów" was given to the whole city. In April 1939, the settlement of Hajduki Wielkie with 30,000 inhabitants was added to Chorzów.
In part due to the German-Polish trade war in the 1920s, the industry of Chorzów, a border city at that time, stagnated until 1933. In 1927, a division of Huta Piłsudski was separated into a company making rail cars, trams and bridges; today it operates as Alstom-Konstal. The State Factory of Nitrogen Compounds (Państwowa Fabryka Związków Azotowych) was in 1933 merged with a similar company (largely its copy) in Tarnów-Mościce.
## German occupation during World War II (1939–1945).
On | 7,575 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
the day of the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Chorzów was taken by Nazi Germany. Polish irregulars, mainly Silesian uprising veterans and Scouts, put up resistance to the regular German forces for three days, most of them were murdered in mass executions. Polish property was confiscated, and Chorzów (with the balance of Polish Silesia) was promptly re-incorporated into German Silesia ("Preußische Provinz Schlesien", from 1941 "Oberschlesien"); the Upper Silesian industry being one the pillars of the Nazi Germany war effort. There were several enforced labor camps in Chorzów and, in years 1944–1945, two branches of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Chorzów was occupied by Soviet | 7,576 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
Red Army in January 1945 with the subsequent persecution of many ethnic Polish Silesians and Germans.
## After 1945.
At the end of World War II, Chorzów (with the balance of Silesia) was re-incorporated into Poland. Generally, the Chorzów industry suffered little damage during World War II due to its inaccessibility to Allied bombing, a Soviet Army enveloping maneuver in January 1945, and perhaps Albert Speer's slowness or refusal to implement the scorched earth policy. This intact industry now played a critical role in the post-war reconstruction and industrialization of Poland. After the war, businesses were nationalized and operated, with minor changes, till 1989. Some were used as Soviet | 7,577 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
labour and concentration camps. Some industrial hardware and at least 100 000 Polish Silesians were deported to the Ukrainian Donbass region. At the "fall of communism" in 1989, the area was in decline. Since 1989, the region has been transitioning from heavy industry to a more diverse economy.
On 28 January 2006, a roof collapsed at an exhibition hall, killing 65 people. See Trade hall roof collapse in Katowice, Poland.
In 2007, Chorzów became a part of Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union, a voluntary union of a continuous chain of cities aimed at increasing the poor visibility of the area, improving its competitiveness, and modernizing the infrastructure.
The region experienced several waves | 7,578 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
of migrations, including those commencing in 1945 (to Germany and from Poland and Ukraine), in 1971-1976 (to Germany), in 1982 (to Western countries), and from 2003 (to other countries of the EU).
# Geography.
## Location.
Chorzów is in the middle of the largest urban center in Poland. The recently (2007) formed Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union is the largest legally recognized urban entity in Poland with a population of 2 million.
Nine million people live within of Silesian Stadium in Chorzów. Six European capitals are located within : Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Bratislava, Budapest and Warsaw.
## Climate.
The average annual temperature in Chorzów is . The annual precipitation is . Weak | 7,579 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
West winds (less than 2 m/s) prevail.
# Economy.
Chorzów used to be one of the most important cities in the largest Polish economic area (the Upper Silesian Industry Area) with extensive industry in coal mining, steel, chemistry, manufacturing, and energy sectors. Many heavy-industry establishments were closed or scaled down in the last two decades because of environmental issues in the center of a highly urbanized area, and also because of decades-long lack of investment. Others were restructured and modernized. Wedged between a dozen of other cities, the population has been decreasing. The city character has been evolving towards the service economy as new industrial development takes mostly | 7,580 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
place at the border of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union. The unemployment rate is high (12.6% on 2007-12-31) but decreasing; the workforce is generally highly technically skilled.
Major industrial establishments are:
- Huta Batory - steel
- Huta Kościuszko SA - steel
- Chorzów Power Station
- Zakłady Chemiczne Hajduki SA - carbochemistry
- Zakłady Azotowe SA - nitrogen fixation and methanol
- Alstom-Konstal - transport manufacturing and construction
- KWK Polska Wirek, rejon Prezydent - coal mine
- ProLogis - logistics
- Messer - technical gases
# Transport.
Car:
- Freeway A4: from German Autobahn A4 at Görlitz/Zgorzelec to Wrocław-Gliwice-Chorzów (Batory)-Katowice-Kraków (and | 7,581 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
towards Ukraine)
- Express Route (DTŚ): Katowice-Chorzów-Ruda Śląska-Zabrze
- National Route DK79: Katowice-Chorzów-Bytom
Three railway stations on two major routes:
- Katowice-Chorzów Batory-Gliwice
- Katowice-Chorzów Batory-Chorzów Miasto-Chorzów Stary-Bytom
Air:
- Katowice International Airport
Public transport:
- Chorzów is well connected within the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union with bus lines and tram lines. Silesian Interurbans is one of the largest streetcar systems in the world, in existence since 1894. The system spreads for more than (east-west) and covers the following cities: Będzin, Bytom, Chorzów, Czeladź, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Gliwice, Katowice, Mysłowice, Ruda Śląska, | 7,582 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
Siemianowice Śląskie, Sosnowiec, Świętochłowice, and Zabrze.
# Higher education.
Within the city limits of Chorzów:
- University of Silesia ("Uniwerystet Śląski"), two faculties
- WSB Universities - WSB University in Chorzów ("Wyższa Szkoła Bankowa")
- Górnośląska Wyższa Szkoła Pedagogiczna (Upper-Silesian Teachers College)
- Górnośląska Wyższa Szkoła Przedsiębiorczości im. Karola Goduli (Karl Godulla Upper-Silesian Higher Business School)
- Śląska Wyższa Szkoła Informatyki (Silesian Higher School of Information Technology)
- Numerous general and technical high schools
Nearby cities of Katowice and Gliwice are far larger academic centers than Chorzów.
# Silesian Central Park and nature.
The | 7,583 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
nationally known Silesian Central Park covers about 30% of the city area and features:
- Silesian Zoological Garden
- Silesian Stadium, the largest sports stadium in Poland
- Planetarium and Astronomical Observatory
- A large rose-exhibition garden (7 hectares, 385 varieties of roses)
- Amusement grounds
- Upper Silesian Ethnographic Park
- International Exhibition Grounds
- A swimming-pool complex
- A water sports center
- A tennis court complex
- Green areas
Chorzów also features other notable nature areas, including:
- nature-landscape protected area "Żabie Doły" (at the border with Bytom and Piekary Śląskie),
- nature-landscape protected area of "Uroczysko Buczyna" (at the | 7,584 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
border with Katowice and Ruda Śląska),
- aquatic complex "Amelung".
# Sports.
Clubs:
- Ruch Chorzów - a renowned men football team (14 time national champion, 3-time winner of the Polish Cup), and female handball team (9 time national champion).
- Alba Echo Chorzów - men's basketball team (2nd division)
- SCS Sokół Chorzów - women's volleyball team (B division, 6th place in 2003/2004)
- Clearex Chorzów - 5-player football team (Polish Cup winner, 1st division, 2nd in 2003/2004)
Historically notable is the former club AKS Chorzów.
Silesian Stadium is a former home stadium for the Polish national football team, and used for international football games and other events (for example, it | 7,585 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
has held the Speedway World Championships four times, with the 1973 World Final attracting over 120,000 spectators, the world record attendance for Motorcycle speedway). The stadium also hosts large music concerts. Throughout its history it featured such artists and groups as The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Guns N' Roses, AC/DC, U2, Iron Maiden, Linkin Park, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Genesis and The Police.
# International relations.
## Twin towns — sister cities.
Chorzów is twinned with:
- Zlín, Czech Republic
- Iserlohn, Germany since 2004
- Termoli, Italy
- Ózd, Hungary
- Creil, France
- Ternopil, Ukraine
# People.
Born in Chorzów:
- Kurt Alder (1902–1958), German chemist, | 7,586 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
Nobel Prize in chemistry
- Reinhard Appel (1927–2011), German journalist and television presenter
- August Froehlich (1891–1942), German Roman Catholic priest, member of the resistance against Nazism and martyr
- George Golla (born 1935), Australian jazz musician
- Franz Waxman (1906–1967), American composer
- Ladislaus Pilars de Pilar (1874–1952), Polish poet and entrepreneur
- Ryszard Riedel (1956–1994), blues rock vocalist
- Karolina Gluck, Polish victim of the 7/7 Bombing in London on July 7, 2005 (killed on the Number 30 bus at Tavistock square)
- Hanna Schygulla (born 1943), German actress and chanson singer
- Walter Mixa (born 1941), Bishop of Augsburg and military Bishop of | 7,587 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
the Bundeswehr
- Theodor Kotulla (1928–2001), German film director
- Olgierd Łukaszewicz (born 1946), Polish actor
- Helga Molander (1896–1986), German actress, and mother of Hans Eysenck
- Günther Rittau (1893–1971), German cameraman and film director
- Antoni Piechniczek (born 1942), Polish soccer coach (lead twice the national team at World Cup)
- Oskar Seidlin (1911–1984), American scholar
- Tino-Antoni Schwierzina (1927–2003), Last mayor of East Berlin
- Gerard Cieślik (1927–2013), Polish soccer superstar
- Paul Mross or Paweł Mróz (1910–1991), Polish and German chess player
- Friedrich Weißler (1891–1937), lawyer
- Gerard Wodarz (1913–1982), Polish soccer star of the interbellum | 7,588 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
period
- Leonard Piątek (1913–1967), Polish soccer star of the interbellum period
- Adam Taubitz (born 1967), German jazz and classic musician
- Janusz Michallik (born 1966), former American national team soccer player, currently a commentator for ESPN
- Leon Zak (1925–2004), Polish Soldier
Associated with Chorzów:
- Friedrich Wilhelm von Reden (1752–1815), German pioneer in mining
- John Baildon (1772–1846), Scottish pioneer in metallurgy
- Adolph Menzel (1815–1905), German artist
- Ignacy Mościcki (1867–1946), Polish chemist and then President of Poland
- Fritz Haber (1868–1934), German chemist
- Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski (1888–1974), eminent Polish economist and politician
- Joe Wickham | 7,589 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
(1890–1968), Irish sportsperson
- Ernest Wilimowski (1916–1997), Silesian soccer star
- Jerzy Buzek (born 1940), Prime minister of Poland, President of the European Parliament
# Further reading.
- J. Janas, "Historia Kopalni Król w Chorzowie 1871-1945", Katowice 1962
- A. Stasiak, " Miasto Królewska Huta. Zarys rozwoju społeczno-gospodarczego i przestrzennego w latach 1869-1914", Warszawa 1962
- J. Surowiński, "75 lat Zakładów Koksochemicznych Hajduki 1888-1963", Warszawa 1963
- L. Pakuła, "Chorzów", [in:] "Encyklopedia Historii Gospodarczej Polski do 1945", Warszawa 1981
- "Chorzów", [in:] J.Bochiński, J.Zawadzki, "Polska. Nowy podział terytorialny, przewodnik encyklopedyczny", Warszawa | 7,590 |
74612 | Chorzów | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chorzów | Chorzów
e 1871-1945", Katowice 1962
- A. Stasiak, " Miasto Królewska Huta. Zarys rozwoju społeczno-gospodarczego i przestrzennego w latach 1869-1914", Warszawa 1962
- J. Surowiński, "75 lat Zakładów Koksochemicznych Hajduki 1888-1963", Warszawa 1963
- L. Pakuła, "Chorzów", [in:] "Encyklopedia Historii Gospodarczej Polski do 1945", Warszawa 1981
- "Chorzów", [in:] J.Bochiński, J.Zawadzki, "Polska. Nowy podział terytorialny, przewodnik encyklopedyczny", Warszawa 1999
# External links.
- Gallery of historical and contemporary photos
- Chorzow-Silesia web forum
- Jewish Community in Chorzów on Virtual Shtetl
- Chorzów City Forum "ChorzowART"
- Chorzów City official site
# References.
- Notes | 7,591 |
74615 | Kalisz | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kalisz | Kalisz
Kalisz
Kalisz (; , , , ) is a city in central Poland with 100,975 inhabitants (December 2018) making it the second-largest city in the Greater Poland Voivodeship. It is the capital city of the Kalisz Region. Situated on the Prosna river in the southeastern part of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, the city forms a conurbation with the nearby towns of Ostrów Wielkopolski and Nowe Skalmierzyce.
Kalisz is an important regional industrial and commercial centre with many notable factories. The city is also a centre for traditional folk art. The town was also the site of the former 'Calisia' piano factory, until it went out of business in 2007.
# Etymology.
The name Kalisz is thought to stem from | 7,592 |
74615 | Kalisz | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kalisz | Kalisz
the Slavic term "kal", meaning swamp or marsh.
There are many artifacts from Roman times in the area of Kalisz, indicating that the settlement had once been a stop of the Roman caravans heading for the Baltic Sea along the trade route of the Amber Trail. "Calisia" had been mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD, although the connection is doubted by some historians who claim that the location mentioned by Ptolemy was situated in the territory of the Diduni in Magna Germania.
# History.
Archaeological excavations have uncovered early mediaeval settlement from the Piast dynasty period, c. 9th-12th centuries. Modern Kalisz was most likely founded in the 9th century as a provincial capital | 7,593 |
74615 | Kalisz | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kalisz | Kalisz
castellany and a minor fort. In 1106 Bolesław III Wrymouth captured the town and made it a part of his feudal domain. Between 1253 and 1260 the town was incorporated according to the German town law called the Środa Śląska Law (after Środa Śląska in Silesia), a local variation of the Magdeburg Law, and soon started to grow. One of the richest towns of Greater Poland, during the feudal fragmentation of Poland it formed a separate duchy ruled by a local branch of the Piast dynasty. After Poland was reunited, the town became a notable centre of weaving and wood products, as well as one of the cultural centres of Greater Poland. There are also records of Khalyzian settlements from 1139.
In 1282 | 7,594 |
74615 | Kalisz | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kalisz | Kalisz
the city laws were confirmed by Przemysł II of Poland, and in 1314 it was made the capital of the Kalisz Voivodeship by king Władysław I the Elbow-high. Located roughly in the centre of Poland (as its borders stood in that era), Kalisz was a notable centre of trade. Because of its strategic location, King Casimir III the Great signed a peace treaty with the Teutonic Order there in 1343. As a royal town, the city managed to defend many of its initial privileges, and in 1426 a new town hall was built. The Polish king Mieszko III the Old was buried in Kalisz.
In 1574 the Jesuits came to Kalisz and in 1584 opened a Jesuit College, which became one of the most notable centres of education in Poland; | 7,595 |
74615 | Kalisz | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kalisz | Kalisz
around this time, however, the importance of Kalisz began to decline somewhat, its place being taken by nearby Poznań.
The economic development of the area was aided by a large number of Protestant Czech Brothers, who settled in and around Kalisz after being expelled from Bohemia in 1620.
In 1792, a fire destroyed much of the city centre. The following year, in the second partition of Poland, the Kingdom of Prussia absorbed the city, called "Kalisch" in German. In 1801, Wojciech Bogusławski set up one of the first permanent theatre troupes in Kalisz.
In 1807, Kalisz became a provincial capital within the Duchy of Warsaw. During Napoleon's invasion of Russia, following Yorck's Convention of | 7,596 |
74615 | Kalisz | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kalisz | Kalisz
Tauroggen of 1812, von Stein's Treaty of Kalisz was signed between Russia and Prussia in 1813, confirming that Prussia now was on the side of the Allies.
After the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, Kalisz became a provincial capital of Congress Poland and then the capital of a province of the Russian Empire. Prussia and Russia held joint military exercises near the town in 1835. The proximity to the Prussian border accelerated economic development of the city and Kalisz ("Калиш" in Russian Cyrillic) started to attract many settlers, not only from other regions of Poland and other provinces of the Russian Empire, but also from German states. In 1902, a new railway linked Kalisz to Warsaw and Łódź.
With | 7,597 |
74615 | Kalisz | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kalisz | Kalisz
the outbreak of World War I, the proximity of the border proved disastrous for Kalisz; it was one of the first cities destroyed in 1914. Between 2 and 22 August, Kalisz was shelled and then burned to the ground by German forces under Major Hermann Preusker, even though Russian troops had retreated from the city without defending it and German troops – many of them ethnic Poles – had initially been welcomed peaceably. Eight hundred men were arrested and then several of them slaughtered, while the city was set on fire and the remaining inhabitants were expelled. Out of roughly 68,000 citizens in 1914, only 5,000 remained in Kalisz a year later. By the end of the Great War, however, much of the | 7,598 |
74615 | Kalisz | https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kalisz | Kalisz
city centre had been more or less rebuilt and many of the former inhabitants had been allowed to return.
After the war Kalisz became part of the newly independent Poland. The reconstruction continued and in 1925 a new city hall was opened. In 1939 the population of Kalisz was approximately 89,000. After the German invasion of Poland in 1939, the proximity of the border once again proved disastrous. Kalisz was captured by the Wehrmacht almost instantly and without much fighting, and the city was annexed by Germany. By the end of World War II approximately 30,000 local Jews had been murdered. An additional 20,000 local Catholics were either murdered or expelled to the German-occupied territories | 7,599 |
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