Walbrzych
Encyclopedia
Wałbrzych AUD is a city in Lower Silesian Voivodeship
in south-western Poland
, with 120,197 inhabitants (31 December 2010). From 1975–1998 it was the capital of Wałbrzych Voivodeship; it is now the seat of Wałbrzych County. Wałbrzych is by far the largest city in Poland that does not itself form a separate county (powiat
), having given up that status in 2003. (The next largest such town is Inowrocław, population 77,313.) Wałbrzych lies approximately 70 kilometres (43.5 mi) south-west of the regional capital Wrocław, and about 10 km from the Czech
border.
The German name Waldenburg (meaning "forest castle") refers to the castle Nowy Dwór, whose ruins stand south of the city; the name came to be used for the entire settlement. It first appeared in 15th century coming from the words Wald ‘forest’ and Berg ‘mountain’ later associated with castle The modern Polish name for the settlement "Wałbrzych" comes from the German name Walbrich, a late medieval linguistic variation of the older names "Wallenberg" or "Walmberg".
Some German publications argue that no archaeological or written records support a Slavic settlement or the existence of a castle before the late 13th century. and that during the Middle Ages the area of Wałbrzych was part of the unpopulated Silesian Przesieka
, According to a writing from 1667 by jurist and historian Ephraim Ignatius Naso, Wałbrzych already existed as a small village in 1191, a publication from German Empire from 1886 rejected this claim, and a German historian Hugo Weczerka rejects it as well. claiming the ctiy founded between 1290 and 1293 and mentioned as Waldenberc in 1305.
Wieczerka places the city near Nowy Dwór built by Bolko I the Strict
, of the Polish royal Piast dynasty
(Silesian branch) of Świdnica
-Jawor
. The city website however mentions the building of the castle as a separate event in 1290. A part of Nowy Dwór castle, a manor built in the 17th century, was destroyed in the 19th century.
The city was chartered in 1426, but it did not receive the rights to hold markets or many other privileges due to the competition of nearby towns and the insignificance of the local landlords. Subsequently, the city became the property of the Silesian knightly families, initially the Schaffgotsches in 1372, later the Czettritzes, and from 1738, the Hochberg
family, owners of Fürstenstein Castle.
in the area was first mentioned in 1536. The settlement was transformed into an industrial centre at the turn of the 19th century, when coal mining and weaving
flourished. In 1843 the city obtained its first rail connection, which linked it with Breslau (Wrocław). In the early 20th century a glassworks and a large china
tableware manufacturing plant, which are still in operation today, were built. In 1939 the city had about 65,000 inhabitants.
After World War II
, became once more part of a Polish state, and as in all of post-war Poland most of the German population was expelled
. However, Walbrzych was one of the few areas where several Germans were held back as they were deemed indispensable for the economy. A continuous post-war German society has been maintained in Walbrzych since 1957.
The city was relatively unscathed by the Second World War, and as a result of combining the nearby administrative districts with the town and the construction of new housing estates, Wałbrzych expanded geographically. At the beginning of the 1990s, because of new social and economic conditions, a decision was made to close down the town's coal mines. In 1995, a Museum of Industry and Technology was set up on the facilities of the oldest coal mine in the area, KWK THOREZ. The 2005 the film Komornik was filmed in and around Wałbrzych.
Last time Górnik played in PLK
- the Polish top basketball league in 2009.
There are many semi-professional or amateur football clubs (like Zagłębie Wałbrzych, Juventur Wałbrzych, Podgórze Wałbrzych, Gwarek Wałbrzych, Czarni Wamag Wałbrzych and one basketball club (KS Dark Dog is playing in the Polish 3rd league)
with:
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...
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...
, with 120,197 inhabitants (31 December 2010). From 1975–1998 it was the capital of Wałbrzych Voivodeship; it is now the seat of Wałbrzych County. Wałbrzych is by far the largest city in Poland that does not itself form a separate county (powiat
Powiat
A powiat is the second-level unit of local government and administration in Poland, equivalent to a county, district or prefecture in other countries. The term powiat is most often translated into English as "county", although other terms are also sometimes used...
), having given up that status in 2003. (The next largest such town is Inowrocław, population 77,313.) Wałbrzych lies approximately 70 kilometres (43.5 mi) south-west of the regional capital Wrocław, and about 10 km from the Czech
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....
border.
Etymology
According to the official page of the city the early Polish name of the settlement was named "Lasogród".The German name Waldenburg (meaning "forest castle") refers to the castle Nowy Dwór, whose ruins stand south of the city; the name came to be used for the entire settlement. It first appeared in 15th century coming from the words Wald ‘forest’ and Berg ‘mountain’ later associated with castle The modern Polish name for the settlement "Wałbrzych" comes from the German name Walbrich, a late medieval linguistic variation of the older names "Wallenberg" or "Walmberg".
Middle Ages
According to the Geographical Dictionary of Poland published by Polish Scientific Publishers PWN, the city's predecessor was an early medieval Slavic settlement, the city website states it was named Lasogród ("forest castle"), whose inhabitants engaged in hunting, honey gathering, and later agriculture; Lasogród lated developed into a defensive fort, the remains of which were destroyed in the 19th century during expansion of the city.Some German publications argue that no archaeological or written records support a Slavic settlement or the existence of a castle before the late 13th century. and that during the Middle Ages the area of Wałbrzych was part of the unpopulated Silesian Przesieka
Silesian Przesieka
Silesian Przesieka, literally Silesian Cutting is the name of the old-Slavic border fortification in Silesia. The Przesieka, known from the early medieval written records, was developed as an impenetrable barrier on the frontier territory...
, According to a writing from 1667 by jurist and historian Ephraim Ignatius Naso, Wałbrzych already existed as a small village in 1191, a publication from German Empire from 1886 rejected this claim, and a German historian Hugo Weczerka rejects it as well. claiming the ctiy founded between 1290 and 1293 and mentioned as Waldenberc in 1305.
Wieczerka places the city near Nowy Dwór built by Bolko I the Strict
Bolko I the Strict
Bolko I the Strict also known as the Raw or of Jawor , was a Duke of Lwówek during 1278-81 and Jawor since 1278 , sole Duke of Lwówek since 1286, Duke of Świdnica-Ziębice since 1291.He was the second son of Bolesław II the Bald, Duke of Legnica by his first wife Hedwig, daughter of...
, of the Polish royal Piast dynasty
Piast dynasty
The Piast dynasty was the first historical ruling dynasty of Poland. It began with the semi-legendary Piast Kołodziej . The first historical ruler was Duke Mieszko I . The Piasts' royal rule in Poland ended in 1370 with the death of king Casimir the Great...
(Silesian branch) of Świdnica
Swidnica
Świdnica 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...
-Jawor
Jawor
Jawor is a town in south-western Poland with 24,347 inhabitants . It is situated in Lower Silesian Voivodeship . It is the seat of Jawor County, and lies approximately west of the regional capital Wrocław.In the town can be found a Protestant Church of Peace...
. The city website however mentions the building of the castle as a separate event in 1290. A part of Nowy Dwór castle, a manor built in the 17th century, was destroyed in the 19th century.
The city was chartered in 1426, but it did not receive the rights to hold markets or many other privileges due to the competition of nearby towns and the insignificance of the local landlords. Subsequently, the city became the property of the Silesian knightly families, initially the Schaffgotsches in 1372, later the Czettritzes, and from 1738, the Hochberg
Höchberg
Höchberg is a municipality in the district of Würzburg in Bavaria, Germany....
family, owners of Fürstenstein Castle.
Modern Era
Coal miningCoal mining
The goal of coal mining is to obtain coal from the ground. Coal is valued for its energy content, and since the 1880s has been widely used to generate electricity. Steel and cement industries use coal as a fuel for extraction of iron from iron ore and for cement production. In the United States,...
in the area was first mentioned in 1536. The settlement was transformed into an industrial centre at the turn of the 19th century, when coal mining and weaving
Weaving
Weaving is a method of fabric production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. The other methods are knitting, lace making and felting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft or filling...
flourished. In 1843 the city obtained its first rail connection, which linked it with Breslau (Wrocław). In the early 20th century a glassworks and a large china
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
tableware manufacturing plant, which are still in operation today, were built. In 1939 the city had about 65,000 inhabitants.
After 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...
, became once more part of a Polish state, and as in all of post-war Poland most of the German population was expelled
Flight and expulsion of Germans from Poland during and after World War II
The flight and expulsion of Germans from Poland was the largest of a series of flights and expulsions of Germans in Europe during and after World War II...
. However, Walbrzych was one of the few areas where several Germans were held back as they were deemed indispensable for the economy. A continuous post-war German society has been maintained in Walbrzych since 1957.
The city was relatively unscathed by the Second World War, and as a result of combining the nearby administrative districts with the town and the construction of new housing estates, Wałbrzych expanded geographically. At the beginning of the 1990s, because of new social and economic conditions, a decision was made to close down the town's coal mines. In 1995, a Museum of Industry and Technology was set up on the facilities of the oldest coal mine in the area, KWK THOREZ. The 2005 the film Komornik was filmed in and around Wałbrzych.
Sights
- Książ CastleKsiazKsiąż is a castle in Silesia, Poland near the town of Wałbrzych. It was built in 1288-1292 under Bolko I the Strict. It lies within a protected area called Książ Landscape Park.- History :...
, the largest Silesian castle, the third largest castle in Poland behind Kraków's WawelWawelWawel is an architectural complex erected over many centuries atop a limestone outcrop on the left bank of the Vistula River in Kraków, Poland, at an altitude of 228 metres above the sea level. It is a place of great significance to the Polish people. The Royal Castle with an armoury and the...
and the castle in MalborkMalborkMalbork is a town in northern Poland in the Żuławy region , with 38,478 inhabitants . Situated in the Pomeranian Voivodeship since 1999, it was previously assigned to Elbląg Voivodeship...
. - Chełmiec Mountain
- Palmiarnia
- Market square (1997-1999 renovated)
- Czettritz Castle (1604–1628)
- Alberti Castle (1801), housing the Municipal Museum
- St. Mary's (1305, ren. 1720)
- Protestant Church (1785–1788)
City districts
Including date of incorporation into the city
|
Sobiecin Sobiecin is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Jarosław, within Jarosław County, Subcarpathian Voivodeship, in south-eastern Poland. It lies approximately east of Jarosław and east of the regional capital Rzeszów.-References:... - former Węglewo Weglewo Węglewo may refer to the following places in Poland:*Węglewo, Trzebnica County in Lower Silesian Voivodeship *Węglewo, Wołów County in Lower Silesian Voivodeship... (1951) Rusinowa Rusinowa is a town of Poland and now part of the town Wałbrzych. It was first mentioned in 1305 as villa ottonis; since the end of the 14th century, it is called "Reußendorf"; in 1945 it was renamed "Rusinowa".... (1951) Poniatów Poniatów may refer to the following places in Poland:*Poniatów, Lower Silesian Voivodeship *Poniatów, Piotrków County in Łódź Voivodeship *Poniatów, Sieradz County in Łódź Voivodeship... - former(U)Stronie (1929, 1973) |
Education
- Angelus SilesiusAngelus SilesiusAngelus Silesius was a German Catholic mystic and poet.-Life:Silesius was born in Breslau , Silesia as son of Polish noble and German mother...
State University in Wałbrzych Official Site - Wrocław Technical University in Wałbrzych Official Site
- Wałbrzyska Wyższa Szkoła Zarządzania i Przedsiębiorczości Official Site
- Ignacy PaderewskiIgnacy Jan PaderewskiIgnacy Jan Paderewski GBE was a Polish pianist, composer, diplomat, politician, and the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland.-Biography:...
High School Official Site - Hugo Kołłątaj High School Official Site
- Mikołaj KopernikNicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus was a Renaissance astronomer and the first person to formulate a comprehensive heliocentric cosmology which displaced the Earth from the center of the universe....
High School Official Site
Wałbrzych constituency
Members of Parliament (Sejm) elected from Wałbrzych constituency- Zbigniew Chlebowski, PO
- Henryk Gołębiewski, SLD
- Roman Ludwiczuk, PO (Senat)
- Katarzyna Mrzygłocka, PO
- Giovanni Roman, PiS
- Mieczysław Szyszka, PiS (Senat)
Sports
- Górnik Wałbrzych (also known as Vicotria Górnik Wałbrzych) is a professional men's basketball club. Since 2011, when the enormous financial problems have occurred, the club is represented only by youth teams. Górnik's achievements include:
- the 1982 Polish Champions
- the 1988 Polish Champions
- the 1981 Polish runner-up
- the 1983 Polish runner-up
- the 1986 Polish runner-up
- the 1979 Polish Junior Champions
- the 1980 Polish Junior Champions
- the 2000 Polish Junior runner-up
- the 2003 Polish Junior 3rd place
Last time Górnik played in PLK
PLK
PLK may stand for:* Polska Liga Koszykówki * PKP PLK* Pulkovo Airlines - ICAO airline designator* Nickname for multi-platinum, G-Unit rapper, Lloyd Banks* Taney County Airport...
- the Polish top basketball league in 2009.
- PWSZ Górnik Wałbrzych is a professional men's football club performing in Polish 2nd league.
- KK Wałbrzych (former Gornik Nowe Miasto Wałbrzych) - is a semi-professional men's basketball club performing in Polish 3rd league. Since 2011 KK Wałbrzych has opened a women's basketball youth section.
- Victoria PWSZ Wałbrzych is a professional men's volleyball club performing in Polish 3rd league.
There are many semi-professional or amateur football clubs (like Zagłębie Wałbrzych, Juventur Wałbrzych, Podgórze Wałbrzych, Gwarek Wałbrzych, Czarni Wamag Wałbrzych and one basketball club (KS Dark Dog is playing in the Polish 3rd league)
- LKKS Górnik Wałbrzych is a cycling club
- Wałbrzych native Sebastian JanikowskiSebastian JanikowskiSebastian Janikowski is a left-footed Polish placekicker who plays for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders. He is nicknamed The Polish Cannon because he is considered to have one of the strongest kicking legs in the league, and leads the NFL in kickoffs for touchbacks. He lives in...
is a placekicker in the NFL.
Media
- New Walbrzych Headlines Official Site
- Tygodnik Wałbrzyski Official Site
- www.walbrzych.info Official Site
- TV Zamkowa Official Site
- TV Walbrzych Official Site
- 30 minut - Gazeta która nie ma ceny ((Free) Newspaper - That does not have a price) Official Site
Notable people
- Klaus TöpferKlaus TöpferKlaus Töpfer is a German politician and environmental politics expert. From 1998 to 2006 he was executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme ....
, German politician (CDUChristian Democratic Union (Germany)The Christian Democratic Union of Germany is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Germany. It is regarded as on the centre-right of the German political spectrum...
), born 1938 in Waldenburg - Marcel Reif, German soccer journalist, born 1949 in Wałbrzych
- Gerhard MenzelGerhard MenzelGerhard Menzel was a German screenwriter. He wrote for 38 films between 1933 and 1965.He was born in Waldenburg, Germany and died in Comano, Switzerland.-Selected filmography:* Morgenrot...
(1894–1966), German writer - Abraham RobinsonAbraham RobinsonAbraham Robinson was a mathematician who is most widely known for development of non-standard analysis, a mathematically rigorous system whereby infinitesimal and infinite numbers were incorporated into mathematics....
- Sebastian JanikowskiSebastian JanikowskiSebastian Janikowski is a left-footed Polish placekicker who plays for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders. He is nicknamed The Polish Cannon because he is considered to have one of the strongest kicking legs in the league, and leads the NFL in kickoffs for touchbacks. He lives in...
, American footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
placekickerPlacekickerPlacekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
for the Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing... - Wolfgang MenzelWolfgang MenzelWolfgang Menzel , German poet, critic and literary historian, was born at Waldenburg in Silesia.He studied at Breslau, Jena and Bonn, and after living for some time in Aarau and Heidelberg finally settled in Stuttgart, where, from 1830 to 1838, he had a seat in the Württemberg Diet.His first work,...
, German poet, critic and literary historian - Adrian MrowiecAdrian MrowiecAdrian Mrowiec is a Polish footballer who currently plays as a defensive midfielder for Scottish Premier League club Hearts.-Hearts:...
, Polish footballer for Heart of MidlothianHeart of MidlothianHeart of Midlothian may refer to:* Heart of Midlothian F.C., an Edinburgh football club* Heart of Midlothian , a mosaic heart in the pavement of Edinburgh's Royal Mile* The Heart of Midlothian, an 1818 novel by Sir Walter Scott...
Twin towns — Sister cities
Wałbrzych is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with:
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