Praga Południe
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| Area | 22,4 km² | |
| Population (2003) | 180 000 | |
| Population density | ||
| Mayor | Tomasz Kucharski | |
| Notable landmarks | Saska Kępa architecture, Park Skaryszewski, Battle of Olszynka Grochowska battlefield | |
| Praga Południe Website | ||
Praga Południe (South Praga) is a borough of Warsaw located on the east bank of the Vistula River. It is part of a greater Praga region encompassing the older suburbs East of the river.
[edit] History
The area of today's Praga Południe has been inhabited since at least the 7th century. There are traces of settlements established earlier than the Warsaw itself. However, the swampy and often flooded terrain was deserted as soon as Warsaw was founded. Since the 16th century it was again populated, but due to lack of communication with Warsaw (until the 19th century there were no permanent bridges across the Vistula at Warsaw) it was an unimportant suburb.
It shared the fate of a greater area named Praga, which was the easternmost suburb of Warsaw. In the 17th century one of areas of present Praga Południe was turned into a military camp. In the 18th century part of the area was named Saska Kępa (literally Saxon Rise) after the Saxon Guards of the Kings of Poland stationed there.
Until the early 20th century the area retained its rural character. The area officially became a part of Warsaw in 1916. It soon became one of fastest-growing areas of Warsaw and Saska Kępa became its centre. In 1920's and 1930's it became one of the most popular villa areas of the Warsaw's middle class.
During and after World War II the borough was not destroyed. Despite several plans, it was not industrialised either, which allowed the district to retain much of its original quiet and peaceful character. Currently there are several new areas with luxurious blocks of flats complexes in the area, but the authorities do not plan to construct more houses and want the character to be preserved.
Apart from the Saska Kępa architecture, the main attractions of the borough are Park Skaryszewski, Kamionek Lake and the Olszynka Grochowska reserve. The battlefield of the Battle of Olszynka Grochowska (1831) is also located within the borough.
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