Swidnica
Encyclopedia
Świdnica ś is a city
in south-western Poland
in the region of Silesia
. 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
).
About 990 the territory on which Świdnica was later founded became part of Poland
. 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. 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. City was in 1291-1392 capital of Duchy of Świdnica.
At the end of the 14th century the city was under rule of the Kingdom of Bohemia
, and a long period of growth began. The last Piast duke was Bolko II of Świdnica, and after his death in 1368 land was held by his wife until 1392; after her death they were incorporated into the lands of Bohemia by Wenceslaus, King of the Romans
. In 1493, the town is recorded by Hartmann Schedel
in his Nuremberg Chronicle
as Schwednitz
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
. The city of Schweidnitz was in the surrounding Duchy of Schweidnitz. The Thirty Years' War
(1618–48) ravaged the Duchy. The town was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia
during the First Silesian War early in the Seven Years' War. It was subsequently turned into a fortress by Frederick II of Prussia
's army.
Schweidnitz was captured again by Austria in late 1762, but remained Prussian after the end of the Seven Years' War
. Subsequently Schweidnitz became part of the Prussian-led German Empire
in 1871 during the unification of Germany
and stayed within Germany
until the end of 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
and forced westward into post-war Germany and replaced with Poles
, many of whom had been expelled themselves from Polish areas annexed by the Soviet Union
.
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 1656–57. 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 old town and the Stary rynek square.
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".
, Ukraine
Maldegem
, Belgium
Police nad Metují
, Czech Republic
Trutnov
, Czech Republic
Švenčionys district municipality
, Lithuania
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in south-western Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
in the region of Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
. It has a population of 60,317 according to 2006 figures. It lies in Lower Silesian Voivodeship
Lower Silesian Voivodeship
Lower Silesian Voivodeship, or Lower Silesia Province , is one of the 16 voivodeships into which Poland is currently divided. It lies in southwestern Poland...
, being the seventh largest town in that voivodeship
Voivodeships of Poland
The voivodeship, or province, called in Polish województwo , has been a high-level administrative subdivision of Poland since the 14th century....
. From 1975–98 it was in the former Wałbrzych Voivodeship. It is now the seat of Świdnica County
Swidnica County
Świdnica County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, south-western Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. The county covers an area of...
, and also of the smaller district of Gmina Świdnica
Gmina Swidnica, Lower Silesian Voivodeship
Gmina Świdnica is a rural gmina in Świdnica County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. Its seat is the town of Świdnica, although the town is not part of the territory of the gmina....
(although it is not part of the territory of the latter, as the town forms a separate urban gmina
Gmina
The gmina is the principal unit of administrative division of Poland at its lowest uniform level. It is often translated as "commune" or "municipality." As of 2010 there were 2,479 gminas throughout the country...
).
History
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. 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. 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. City was in 1291-1392 capital of Duchy of Świdnica.
At the end of the 14th century the city was under rule of the Kingdom of Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
, and a long period of growth began. The last Piast duke was Bolko II of Świdnica, and after his death in 1368 land was held by his wife until 1392; after her death they were incorporated into the lands of Bohemia by Wenceslaus, King of the Romans
Wenceslaus, King of the Romans
Wenceslaus ) was, by election, German King from 1376 and, by inheritance, King of Bohemia from 1378. He was the third Bohemian and second German monarch of the Luxembourg dynasty...
. In 1493, the town is recorded by Hartmann Schedel
Hartmann Schedel
Hartmann Schedel was a German physician, humanist, historian, and one of the first cartographers to use the printing press. He was born in Nuremberg...
in his Nuremberg Chronicle
Nuremberg Chronicle
right|thumbnail|240px|Fifth dayThe Nuremberg Chronicle is an illustrated Biblical paraphrase and world history that follows the story of human history related in the Bible; it includes the histories of a number of important Western cities. Written in Latin by Hartmann Schedel, with a version in...
as Schwednitz
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
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
, Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, and Pisa
Pisa
Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa...
. The beer was offered in pubs.
In 1526, all of Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
, including Schweidnitz, came under the rule of the Habsburg Monarchy
Habsburg Monarchy
The Habsburg Monarchy covered the territories ruled by the junior Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg , and then by the successor House of Habsburg-Lorraine , between 1526 and 1867/1918. The Imperial capital was Vienna, except from 1583 to 1611, when it was moved to Prague...
. The city of Schweidnitz was in the surrounding Duchy of Schweidnitz. The Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
(1618–48) ravaged the Duchy. The town was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia
Kingdom of Prussia
The Kingdom of Prussia was a German kingdom from 1701 to 1918. Until the defeat of Germany in World War I, it comprised almost two-thirds of the area of the German Empire...
during the First Silesian War early in the Seven Years' War. It was subsequently turned into a fortress by Frederick II of Prussia
Frederick II of Prussia
Frederick II was a King in Prussia and a King of Prussia from the Hohenzollern dynasty. In his role as a prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire, he was also Elector of Brandenburg. He was in personal union the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel...
's army.
Schweidnitz was captured again by Austria in late 1762, but remained Prussian after the end of the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
. Subsequently Schweidnitz became part of the Prussian-led German Empire
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
in 1871 during the unification of Germany
Unification of Germany
The formal unification of Germany into a politically and administratively integrated nation state officially occurred on 18 January 1871 at the Versailles Palace's Hall of Mirrors in France. Princes of the German states gathered there to proclaim Wilhelm of Prussia as Emperor Wilhelm of the German...
and stayed within Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
until the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The town was placed under Polish administration according to the post-war Potsdam Conference
Potsdam Conference
The Potsdam Conference was held at Cecilienhof, the home of Crown Prince Wilhelm Hohenzollern, in Potsdam, occupied Germany, from 16 July to 2 August 1945. Participants were the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States...
in 1945 and renamed Świdnica. The German population who had not fled during the war were subsequently expelled
Expulsion of Germans after World War II
The later stages of World War II, and the period after the end of that war, saw the forced migration of millions of German nationals and ethnic Germans from various European states and territories, mostly into the areas which would become post-war Germany and post-war Austria...
and forced westward into post-war Germany and replaced with Poles
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
, many of whom had been expelled themselves from Polish areas annexed by the Soviet Union
Polish areas annexed by the Soviet Union
Immediately after the German invasion of Poland in 1939, which marked the beginning of World War II, the Soviet Union invaded the eastern regions of the Second Polish Republic, which Poles referred to as the "Kresy," and annexed territories totaling 201,015 km² with a population of 13,299,000...
.
Sights
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
Church of Ss. Stanislav and Vaclav from the 14th century has the highest tower in Silesia, standing 103 meters tall. The Evangelical
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
Church of Peace, a UNESCO Heritage site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
, was built from 1656–57. The 16th century town hall has been renovated numerous times and combines Gothic, Renaissance
Renaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries in different regions of Europe, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought and material culture. Stylistically, Renaissance...
, and Baroque
Baroque architecture
Baroque architecture is a term used to describe the building style of the Baroque era, begun in late sixteenth century Italy, that took the Roman vocabulary of Renaissance architecture and used it in a new rhetorical and theatrical fashion, often to express the triumph of the Catholic Church and...
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 old town and the Stary rynek square.
Notable residents
- Thomas StoltzerThomas StoltzerThomas Stoltzer, also Stolczer, Scholczer was a German composer of the Renaissance.-Life:...
(ca. 1480-1526), composer - Hieronymus Treutler (1565–1607), doctor of law, professor of rhetoric, Imperial Councillor
- Maria CunitzMaria CunitzMaria Cunitz or Maria Cunitia was an accomplished Silesian astronomer, and one of the most notable female astronomers of the modern era...
(1604–64), astronomer, daughter of Schweidnitz Dr. Heinrich Kunitz - Benjamin Schmolk (1672–1737), composer, poet
- Johann Christoph GlaubitzJohann Christoph GlaubitzJohann Christoph Glaubitz was an architect of German descent who is generally considered to be the most prominent Baroque architect in the lands of the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania....
(c. 1700 - 1767 in VilniusVilniusVilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
) architect - Johann Gottlieb JanitschJohann Gottlieb JanitschJohann Gottlieb Janitsch was a German Baroque composer.Janitsch was born in Schweidnitz, Silesia. He graduated from the University of Frankfurt an der Oder. He held various positions at the court of the Kingdom of Prussia, eventually becoming the personal musician of Frederick the Great. Janitsch...
(1708–63), composer - Paul von Kulmiz (1836–1895), industrialist, politician
- Georg Beer (1865–1946), theologian, teacher Deutschen Christen
- Emil KrebsEmil KrebsEmil Krebs was a German polyglot and sinologist. He mastered 68 languages in speech and writing and studied 120 other languages.-The early years:...
(1867–1930), sinologist - Ferdinand FriedensburgFerdinand FriedensburgFerdinand Friedensburg was the interim Mayor of Berlin due to the illness of mayor Louise Schroeder during the Berlin Blockade in 1948.-Biography:...
(1886–1972), politician - Michael Graf von MatuschkaMichael Graf von MatuschkaMichael Graf von Matuschka was a German politician who took part in the July 20 plot.- Biography :...
(1888–1944), resistance fighter - Manfred von RichthofenManfred von RichthofenManfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen , also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I...
(1892–1918), World War I ace known as "The Red Baron" - Peter Adolf ThiessenPeter Adolf ThiessenPeter Adolf Thiessen was a German physical chemist. He voluntarily went to the Soviet Union at the close of World War II, and he received high Soviet decorations and the Stalin Prize for contributions to the Soviet atomic bomb project.-Education:Thiessen was born in Schweidnitz .From 1919 to...
(1899–1990), physical chemist - Heinz StarkeHeinz StarkeHeinz Starke was a German politician. He was born in Silesia. He was Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1961–62.-References:*...
(1911–2001), politician, Bundesfinanzminister 1961-1962 - Georg GärtnerGeorg GärtnerGeorg Gärtner was a World War II German soldier from Schweidnitz, Lower Silesia.-Biography:While serving with the Afrika Korps, Gärtner was captured by Allied troops in Tunis in 1943 and was brought to America as a prisoner of war. He escaped from his prison camp in Deming, New Mexico, at the...
(born 1920), known as "Hitler´s last Soldier in America" - Armin Müller (1928–2005) artist, author
- Gunther Gebel-WilliamsGunther Gebel-WilliamsGunther Gebel-Williams was an animal trainer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1968-1990.-Early life:...
(1934–2001), animal trainer - Hans-Jürgen Otto (* 1935), forrester
- Manfred KantherManfred KantherManfred Kanther is a German conservative politician and was Minister of the Interior of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1993 to 1998. He has been a member of the CDU .- Life and education :...
(born 1939), politician - Henning EichbergHenning EichbergHenning Eichberg Henning Eichberg Henning Eichberg (born December 1, 1942 in Schweidnitz, Silesia is a German sociologist and historian, teaching at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense...
(born 1942), cultural sociologist - Marek Michalak (born 1971), Chancellor of the International Capital of the Order of SmileOrder of SmileThe Order of the Smile is an international award given by children, to adults distinguished in their love, care and aid for children.-History:...
- Katarzyna Glinka (born 1977), actress
- Bartosz HuzarskiBartosz HuzarskiBartosz Huzarski is a Polish professional road bicycle racer for UCI Professional Continental team Team NetApp.- Palmarès :20032005...
(* 1980), byciclist
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
Order of Smile
The Order of the Smile is an international award given by children, to adults distinguished in their love, care and aid for children.-History:...
, when a Child Friendship Centre was established. Świdnica was officially titled the "Capital of Children's Dreams".
Twin towns — Sister cities
Świdnica is twinned with: Ivano-FrankivskIvano-Frankivsk
Ivano-Frankivsk is a historic city located in the western Ukraine. It is the administrative centre of the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast , and is designated as its own separate raion within the oblast, municipality....
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
Maldegem
Maldegem
Maldegem is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the villages of Maldegem, Adegem and Middelburg. Kleit and Donk have always been separate hamlets of Maldegem. On January 1, 2006 Maldegem had a total population of 22,289. The total area is...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
Police nad Metují
Police nad Metují
Police nad Metují is a town in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. Metuje flows through the town.-Twin towns — Sister cities:Police nad Metují is twinned with the following towns: Świdnica, Poland- External links :*...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
Trutnov
Trutnov
Trutnov is a city in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It has a population of 31,239 and lies in the Krkonoše in the valley of the Úpa River....
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
Švenčionys district municipality
Švencionys district municipality
-Twin towns — Sister cities:Švenčionys district municipality is twinned with the following towns: Świdnica, Poland...
, Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
External links
- Silesia Map of 1600s with Town of Schweidnitz in Duchy of Schweidnitz
- Website of the municipality of Świdnica
