Świdnica

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Świdnica

	(Coat of arms)


Basic Information
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	Lower Silesian
Population	60,541
City rights	1267
Area	21.76 km²
Density	2782.23/km²
Car plates	DSW
Economy and Traffic
Administration
Mayor	Wojciech Murdzek
Municipal Website

Old town

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Świdnica

Świdnica (German Schweidnitz, Czech Svídnice) is a town in southwestern Poland. According to the 2004 estimate the town has a total population of 60,674. Situated in the Lower Silesian Voivodship (since 1999), previously in Wałbrzych Voivodship (1975-1998). It's the 7th largest town of that unit of administrative division.

1 History
2 Famous Persons
3 Attractions
4 Education
5 External links

[edit] History

Świdnica itself became a real town in 1250. But no founding act has survived that would confirm this fact. In the beginning, the town belonged to the Princedom of Wrocław and experienced two important privileges conducive to its development. By 1290, Świdnica had city walls and six gates, crafts and trade were blossoming, and it had become the capital of the entire princedom. At the end of the 14th century the city was under control of Bohemia, part of the Holy Roman Empire and a long period of growth began. In 1471, there were 47 trade guilds in operation, nearly 300 homes had the rights to brew beer, and large cattle and hops fairs were organized.

In 1526, all of Silesia, including Świdnica, came under direct Habsburg rule. It was a turbulent time in the history of these lands. First, came the Thirty Years' war (1618-1648) ravaged all of Silesia, followed by the Silesian War, etc. As a consequence, in 1740 everything was controlled by the Prussians, and the town itself was turned into a fortress.

Changing from one hand to another had its advantages, however. The culture and tradition of several European nations mingled: Bohemians, Hungarians, Austrians, Prussians and Poles, not to mention that each of them left valuable tokens, especially in the town's architecture. Tourists today should be sure to see the Gothic Church of St.s Stanislav and Vaclav from the 14th century, with the highest tower in Silesia, standing 103 meters tall; the evangelical church of the Holy Trinity built from 1652-57; the town hall from the beginning of the 16th century, renovated numerous times and combining Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectural elements; the Baroque church of St. Joseph; or the Church of St. Christopher from the same era. One remaining element of the former defensive works is the chapel of St. Barbara, but there are other interesting sites, as well. This number of cultural monuments would suffice for a large city, but this is all the more advantageous for those who decide to visit Świdnica.

[edit] Famous Persons

Hieronymus Treutler 1565-1607 Doctor of law, professor of rhetoric,Imperial Councillor
Gunther Gebel-Williams (1934-2001) World famous animal trainer
Freiherr Manfred von Richthofen, "The Red Baron" (1892-1918) German WWI Ace.