Świdnica

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
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
Schweidnitz
Image:Swidnica-stare-miasto-2.jpg
Old town
Image:POL Świdnica COA.svg
Coat of arms
Coordinates: 50°50′0″N 16°25′0″E / 50.83333, 16.41667
Country Poland
Voivodeship Lower Silesian Poland
Powiat City County
Gmina Świdnica
Established 990
City rights 1267
Government
 - Mayor Wojciech Murdzek
Area
 - Total 21.76 km² (8.4 sq mi)
Population (2006)
 - Total 60,317
 - Density 2,782.2/km² (7,205.9/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 plate DSW
Website: www.um.swidnica.pl

Świdnica (German: Schweidnitz) is a town in southwestern Poland. According to a 2004 estimate, the town had a total population of 60,674. Previously in Wałbrzych Voivodeship from 1975–98, it has been in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship since 1999. It is the seventh largest town in the voivodeship.

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. 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 called Świdnica cellars.[citation needed]

In 1526, all of Silesia, including Świdnica, 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 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.

[edit] Sights

The culture and tradition of several European nations, such as Czechs, Hungarians, Austrians, Prussian Germans, and Poles, have mingled in Świdnica. Each has left valuable reminders, especially in the town's architecture.

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 the Holy Trinity 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 Church of Peace, a UNESCO Heritage site, the old town, and the Stary rynek square.

[edit] Notable residents

[edit] Education

  • Wyższa Szkoła Technologii Teleinformatycznych

[edit] External links

Image:Commons-logo.svg
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Świdnica

Coordinates: 50°51′N, 16°29′Ecs:Świdnica de:Świdnica eo:Świdnica fr:Świdnica jv:Świdnica csb:Świdnica lv:Švidņica nl:Świdnica (stad) pl:Świdnica ro:Świdnica ru:Свидница uk:Свідниця

Retrieved from "http://wiki.smashits.com/wikipedia/%C5%9Awidnica"
Views
Personal tools

Toolbox