Nowy Targ

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Nowy Targ

	(Coat of arms)


Basic Information
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	Lesser Poland
Population	33 460 (2006)
Founded	turn of the 13th century
City rights	22nd June 1346
Latitude Longitude	40°28' N 20°01' E
Area	51,07 km²
Density	655/km²
Area code	+48 18
Car plates	KNT
Economy and Traffic
Administration
Mayor	Marek Fryźlewicz (acting)
Municipal Website

Nowy Targ is a town in southern Poland with 34,000 inhabitants (2006). It is the capital of the mountain (Podhale) region, and its name means 'new market'. The town is situated in the confluence of the rivers Biały and Czarny Dunajec, beneath the Gorce Mountains. It is, like many Eastern European towns, reputed to have been one place where Vladimir Lenin was in jail. It is famous in Poland for the ice hockey team Podhale Nowy Targ, a traditionally successful club.

The town is situated in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship (since 1999). It was previously in Nowy Sacz Voivodeship (1975-1998).

1 History
2 Geography
3 Culture
- 3.1 Museums
- 3.2 Cinemas
4 Education
5 Sport
- 5.1 Ice hockey
- 5.2 Floorball
6 The Conservation of Nature
- 6.1 Nature reserves
7 Politics
- 7.1 Twin cities
8 See also
9 External links

[edit] History

Nowy Targ was founded on 22nd June 1346 by the king Casimir III the Great on Magdeburg rights, but the earliest documents mentioning Nowy Targ date to the 13th century. In 1326, village Novum Forum had a church. In 1533, Nowy Targ obtained statute - merchants couldn't pass by town. In 1601 a great fire destroyed church and old documents. In 1656, Swedish (on Northern Wars) destroyed town and killed inhabitants. In 1710 - the next great fire. In 1770, Nowy Targ was annexed by Austria. In 1823, first pharmacy was opened in Nowy Targ. Town hall was built in 1886. In 1933, president Ignacy Mościcki visited town, and club Podhale Nowy Targ was founded. During World War II, the German occupation began on 1st September 1939 (16:30). In 30th August 1942, Nowy Targ's ghetto was liquidated. The Red Army fought its way into the city on 29 January 1945. In 8th June 1979 pope John Paul II visited town.