Świdnica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (September 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
| Świdnica | |||
 |
|||
|
|||
  Świdnica
|
|||
| Coordinates: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Country |  Poland |
||
| Voivodeship | Lower Silesian | ||
| County | Świdnica County | ||
| Gmina | Świdnica (urban gmina) | ||
| Established | 990 | ||
| City rights | 1267 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Wojciech Murdzek | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 22 km² (8.5 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 250 m (820 ft) | ||
| Population (2006) | |||
| - Total | 60,354 | ||
| - Density | 2,743.4/km² (7,105.3/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Postal code | 58-100 to 58-106 | ||
| Area code(s) | +48 74 | ||
| Car plates | DSW | ||
| Website: http://www.um.swidnica.pl | |||
Świdnica [ɕfidˈnit͡sa] (German: Schweidnitz) is a town in south-western Poland. It has a population of 60,317 according to 2006 figures. It lies in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, being the seventh largest town in that voivodeship. From 1975–98 it was in the former Wałbrzych Voivodeship. It is now the seat of Świdnica County, and also of the smaller district of Gmina Świdnica (although it is not part of the territory of the latter, as the town forms a separate urban gmina).
Contents |
[edit] History
Świdnica became a town in 1250, although no founding document has survived that would confirm this fact. In the beginning, the town belonged to the Duchy of Wrocław (Breslau) and experienced two important privileges conducive to its development.[citation needed] By 1290, Świdnica had city walls and six gates, crafts and trade were blossoming, and it had become the capital of the Duchy of Świdnica.
At the end of the 14th century the city was under control of the Kingdom of Bohemia, member of the Holy Roman Empire, and a long period of growth began. The town is recorded by Hartmann Schedel in the world chronicle as Schwednitz along with Neyß, Oppel, Lignitz, Teschen, Frankenstain etc. all in Silesia.
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. The beer was distributed in many European cities, including Breslau, Prague, Heidelberg, Kraków, and Pisa. The beer was offered in pubs.
In 1526, all of Silesia, including Schweidnitz, came under the rule of the Habsburg Monarchy of Austria. The Thirty Years' War (1618–48) ravaged the province. As Schweidnitz, the town was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia during the First Silesian War. It was subsequently turned into a fortress. Schweidnitz became part of the Prussian-led German Empire in 1871 during the unification of Germany.
Schweidnitz was heavily damaged[citation needed] by fighting between the German Wehrmacht and the Soviet Red Army during World War II. The town was placed under Polish administration according to the post-war Potsdam Conference in 1945 and renamed Świdnica. The German population who had not fled during the war were subsequently expelled westward and replaced with Poles, many of whom had been expelled themselves from Polish areas annexed by the Soviet Union.[citation needed]
[edit] Sights
The Gothic Church of Ss. Stanislav and Vaclav from the 14th century has the highest tower in Silesia, standing 103 meters tall. The Evangelical Church of Peace, a UNESCO Heritage site, was built from 1652–57. The 16th century town hall has been renovated numerous times and combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural elements. The Baroque Church of St. Joseph and the Church of St. Christopher are from the same era. One remaining element of the former defensive works is the Chapel of St. Barbara. Other sights include the the old town and the Stary rynek square.
[edit] Notable residents
- Hieronymus Treutler (1565–1607), doctor of law, professor of rhetoric, Imperial Councillor
- Maria Cunitz (1604-64), astronomer
- Benjamin Schmolk (1672-1737), composer
- Johann Christoph Glaubitz (c. 1700 - 1767 in Vilnius) architect
- Johann Gottlieb Janitsch (1708-63), composer
- Emil Krebs (1867-1930), sinologist
- Manfred von Richthofen (1892–1918), World War I ace known as "The Red Baron"
- Peter Adolf Thiessen (1899-1990), physical chemist
- Georg Gärtner (born ca. 1920), soldier
- Gunther Gebel-Williams (1934–2001), animal trainer
- Manfred Kanther (born 1939), politician
- Marek Michalak (born 1971), Chancellor of the International Capital of the Order of Smile
[edit] Education
Świdnica is home to a College of Data Communications Technology (Wyższa Szkoła Technologii Teleinformatycznych).
In 2003 Świdnica hosted a session of the Warsaw-based International Chapter of the Order of Smile, when a Child Friendship Centre was established. Świdnica was officially titled the "Capital of Children's Dreams".
[edit] External links
|
|||||||
_COA.svg/50px-POL_powiat_świdnicki_(dolnośląski)_COA.svg.png)
|
|||||
