Kwidzyn
Encyclopedia
Kwidzyn ' is a town
in northern Poland
on the Liwa
river, with 40,008 inhabitants (2004). It has been a part of the Pomeranian Voivodeship
since 1999, and was previously in the Elbląg Voivodeship
(1975–1998). It is the capital of Kwidzyn County
.
founded an Ordensburg
castle in 1232 and a town the following year. This new settlement of Marienwerder (German for "Mary's
ait
") became the seat of the Bishops of Pomesania within Prussia
. The town was populated with Masurian settlers from the Duchy of Masovia
. Werner von Orseln
, who died in Marienburg (Malbork)
in 1330, was buried in the cathedral of Marienwerder. St. Dorothea of Montau
lived in Marienwerder from 1391 until her death in 1394; pilgrims would later come to pray in the town at her shrine
. The rebellious Prussian Confederation
was founded in Marienwerder on March 14, 1440. In 1466, the town became a Polish
fief together with the remainder of the monastic state of the Teutonic Knights
after their defeat in the Thirteen Years' War.
Marienwerder became part of the Duchy of Prussia, a fief of Poland, upon its creation in 1525. The duchy was inherited by the House of Hohenzollern
in 1618 and was elevated to the Kingdom of Prussia
in 1701. The town became the capital of the District of Marienwerder
. After the First Partition of Poland
, Marienwerder became an administrative seat of the new Prussian Province of West Prussia
. The town and district were included within the government region of Marienwerder after the Napoleonic Wars
.
According to statistics, in 1818 it was populated by a Polish
speaking, Masuria
n majority. The policy of forceful Germanization, however, gradually decreased the share of Polish speaking inhabitants who participated in the social life of the province that spoke German. After 1871, when Marienwerder was included in the newly created German Empire
, the Kulturkampf
was aimed mainly at Catholics. In 1885 Marienwerder had 8,079 mostly Lutheran
inhabitants, many of whose trades were connected with the manufacturing of sugar, vinegar, and machines. Other trades were brewing, dairy farming, and fruit-growing. According to official statistics, ca. 1910 35.7% of the county's population was Polish.
After World War I
, the Treaty of Versailles
of 1919 transferred most of West Prussia to the Polish Second Republic. The treaty permitted the East Prussian plebiscite
in a few areas. To determine if Marienwerder would remain in Germany as part of East Prussia
or join Poland; 93,73% of the inhabitants of the town voted on 11 July 1920 for East Prussia, to which the town was joined.
During the Weimar Republic
, a Polish high school was founded in the town. On August 25, 1939, pupils of the school were deported to Nazi concentration camps
.
In 1945 during World War II
, Marienwerder was plundered by the Soviet Red Army. Red Army established war hospital in the town for 20,000 people. The town's old center was burned by Soviet
soldiers. The post-war Potsdam Conference
placed it under Polish administration in 1945. Since then it remains as part of Poland. Burned parts of the town's old center were dismantled to provide material for the rebuilding of Warsaw
after its destruction in the Warsaw Uprising
.
Kwidzyn contains the partially-ruined 14th century Brick Gothic
Ordensburg
castle of the Teutonic Order, namely the Bishops of Pomesania
within the Order. Connected to the castle to the east is a large cathedral (built 1343-1384) containing the tombs of the bishops as well those of three Grand Masters
of the Teutonic Knights.
The literally outstanding feature of the castle is a sewer tower which is connected to it by a bridge. The tower used to be placed at the river which has changed its course since, leaving it on dry land.
The town also has a Catholic
church and a cathedral-castle presently used for the museum of Lower Powiśle.
Other sights include the appellate court for Kwidzyn County, a new town hall, and government buildings.
A branch of the company International Paper
is located in Kwidzyn, as is the Kwidzyn School of Management.
The second biggest employer is Jabil which is one of world leading EMS (Electronics manufacturing services
) companies. The city has a lower than national average crime and unemployment rates when compared to the average rate in Poland
average. Success in this field was gained through high level of sport programs for youths. Programs such as MMTS Kwidzyn (handball
) or MTS Basket Kwidzyn
are the best examples of this.
with: Celle
, Germany
Bar
, Ukraine
Olofström
, Sweden
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in northern 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...
on the Liwa
Liwa (river)
Liwa - is a river in northern Poland, a tributary of the Nogat. The largest tributary of the Liwa is the Palemon canal. In the upper reaches of the river there are numerous hydropower plants. The total length of the river is 118,5 km while the biggest city on the Liwa is Kwidzyn.-See also:* Rivers...
river, with 40,008 inhabitants (2004). It has been a part of the Pomeranian Voivodeship
Pomeranian Voivodeship
Pomeranian Voivodeship, or Pomerania Province , is a voivodeship, or province, in north-central Poland. It comprises most of Pomerelia , as well as an area east of the Vistula River...
since 1999, and was previously in the Elbląg Voivodeship
Elblag Voivodeship
Elbląg Voivodeship was a unit of administrative division and local government in Poland from 1975 to 1998, superseded by the Pomeranian Voivodeship and the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. Its capital city was Elbląg....
(1975–1998). It is the capital of Kwidzyn County
Kwidzyn County
Kwidzyn County is a unit of territorial administration and local government in Pomeranian Voivodeship, northern Poland. It came into being on January 1, 1999, as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. Its administrative seat and largest town is Kwidzyn, which lies south...
.
History
The Teutonic KnightsTeutonic Knights
The Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary in Jerusalem , commonly the Teutonic Order , is a German medieval military order, in modern times a purely religious Catholic order...
founded an Ordensburg
Ordensburg
An Ordensburg was a fortress built by crusading German military orders during the Middle Ages. "Ordensburg" was also used during Nazi Germany to refer to training schools for Nazi leaders.- Medieval Ordensburgen :...
castle in 1232 and a town the following year. This new settlement of Marienwerder (German for "Mary's
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
ait
Ait
An ait is a small island. It is especially used to refer to islands found on the River Thames and its tributaries in England....
") became the seat of the Bishops of Pomesania within Prussia
Prussia (region)
Prussia is a historical region in Central Europe extending from the south-eastern coast of the Baltic Sea to the Masurian Lake District. It is now divided between Poland, Russia, and Lithuania...
. The town was populated with Masurian settlers from the Duchy of Masovia
Duchy of Masovia
The Duchy of Masovia with its capital at Płock was a medieval duchy formed when the Polish Kingdom of the Piasts fragmented in 1138. It was located in the historic Masovian region of northeastern Poland...
. Werner von Orseln
Werner von Orseln
Werner von Orseln was the 17th Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, serving from 1324 to 1330.Von Orseln hailed from a noble family of vogts of the Counts of Falkenstein in Oberursel near Frankfurt. It is not known when he joined the Teutonic Order...
, who died in Marienburg (Malbork)
Malbork
Malbork 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...
in 1330, was buried in the cathedral of Marienwerder. St. Dorothea of Montau
Dorothea of Montau
Saint Dorothea of Montau was a hermitess and visionary of 14th century Germany. After centuries of veneration in Central Europe, she was canonized in 1976.-Life:...
lived in Marienwerder from 1391 until her death in 1394; pilgrims would later come to pray in the town at her shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
. The rebellious Prussian Confederation
Prussian Confederation
The Prussian Confederation was an organization formed in 1440 by a group of 53 gentry and clergy and 19 cities in Prussia to oppose the monastic state of the Teutonic Knights. It was based on the basis of an earlier similar organization, the Lizard Union...
was founded in Marienwerder on March 14, 1440. In 1466, the town became a Polish
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...
fief together with the remainder of the monastic state of the Teutonic Knights
Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights
The State of the Teutonic Order, , also Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights or Ordensstaat , was formed in 1224 during the Northern Crusades, the Teutonic Knights' conquest of the pagan West-Baltic Old Prussians in the 13th century....
after their defeat in the Thirteen Years' War.
Marienwerder became part of the Duchy of Prussia, a fief of Poland, upon its creation in 1525. The duchy was inherited by the House of Hohenzollern
House of Hohenzollern
The House of Hohenzollern is a noble family and royal dynasty of electors, kings and emperors of Prussia, Germany and Romania. It originated in the area around the town of Hechingen in Swabia during the 11th century. They took their name from their ancestral home, the Burg Hohenzollern castle near...
in 1618 and was elevated to 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...
in 1701. The town became the capital of the District of Marienwerder
Marienwerder (district)
Landkreis Marienwerder was a Kreis, or district, of Prussia from 1752-1945. Its capital was Marienwerder .-History:King Frederick the Great of Prussia created Kreis Marienwerder as one of ten districts in an administrative reorganization of East Prussia in 1752...
. After the First Partition of Poland
Partitions of Poland
The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, resulting in the elimination of sovereign Poland for 123 years...
, Marienwerder became an administrative seat of the new Prussian Province of West Prussia
West Prussia
West Prussia was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia from 1773–1824 and 1878–1919/20 which was created out of the earlier Polish province of Royal Prussia...
. The town and district were included within the government region of Marienwerder after the Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
.
According to statistics, in 1818 it was populated by a Polish
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
speaking, Masuria
Masuria
Masuria is an area in northeastern Poland famous for its 2,000 lakes. Geographically, Masuria is part of two adjacent lakeland districts, the Masurian Lake District and the Iława Lake District...
n majority. The policy of forceful Germanization, however, gradually decreased the share of Polish speaking inhabitants who participated in the social life of the province that spoke German. After 1871, when Marienwerder was included in the newly created 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...
, the Kulturkampf
Kulturkampf
The German term refers to German policies in relation to secularity and the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, enacted from 1871 to 1878 by the Prime Minister of Prussia, Otto von Bismarck. The Kulturkampf did not extend to the other German states such as Bavaria...
was aimed mainly at Catholics. In 1885 Marienwerder had 8,079 mostly Lutheran
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...
inhabitants, many of whose trades were connected with the manufacturing of sugar, vinegar, and machines. Other trades were brewing, dairy farming, and fruit-growing. According to official statistics, ca. 1910 35.7% of the county's population was Polish.
After World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was one of the peace treaties at the end of World War I. It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. It was signed on 28 June 1919, exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The other Central Powers on the German side of...
of 1919 transferred most of West Prussia to the Polish Second Republic. The treaty permitted the East Prussian plebiscite
East Prussian plebiscite
The East Prussia plebiscite , also known as the Allenstein and Marienwerder plebiscite or Warmia, Masuria and Powiśle plebiscite , was a plebiscite for self-determination of the regions Warmia , Masuria and Powiśle, which had been in parts of East Prussia and West Prussia, in accordance with...
in a few areas. To determine if Marienwerder would remain in Germany as part of East Prussia
Province of East Prussia
The Province of East Prussia was a province of Prussia from 1773–1829 and 1878-1945. Composed of the historical region East Prussia, the province's capital was Königsberg ....
or join Poland; 93,73% of the inhabitants of the town voted on 11 July 1920 for East Prussia, to which the town was joined.
During the Weimar Republic
Weimar Republic
The Weimar Republic is the name given by historians to the parliamentary republic established in 1919 in Germany to replace the imperial form of government...
, a Polish high school was founded in the town. On August 25, 1939, pupils of the school were deported to Nazi concentration camps
Nazi concentration camps
Nazi Germany maintained concentration camps throughout the territories it controlled. The first Nazi concentration camps set up in Germany were greatly expanded after the Reichstag fire of 1933, and were intended to hold political prisoners and opponents of the regime...
.
In 1945 during 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...
, Marienwerder was plundered by the Soviet Red Army. Red Army established war hospital in the town for 20,000 people. The town's old center was burned by Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
soldiers. 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...
placed it under Polish administration in 1945. Since then it remains as part of Poland. Burned parts of the town's old center were dismantled to provide material for the rebuilding of Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
after its destruction in the Warsaw Uprising
Warsaw Uprising
The Warsaw Uprising was a major World War II operation by the Polish resistance Home Army , to liberate Warsaw from Nazi Germany. The rebellion was timed to coincide with the Soviet Union's Red Army approaching the eastern suburbs of the city and the retreat of German forces...
.
The castle
Brick Gothic
Brick Gothic is a specific style of Gothic architecture common in Northern Europe, especially in Northern Germany and the regions around the Baltic Sea that do not have natural rock resources. The buildings are essentially built from bricks...
Ordensburg
Ordensburg
An Ordensburg was a fortress built by crusading German military orders during the Middle Ages. "Ordensburg" was also used during Nazi Germany to refer to training schools for Nazi leaders.- Medieval Ordensburgen :...
castle of the Teutonic Order, namely the Bishops of Pomesania
Pomesania
Pomesanians were one of the Prussian clans. They lived in Pomesania , a historical region in modern northern Poland, located between the Nogat and Vistula Rivers to the west and the Elbląg River to the east. It is located around the modern towns of Elbląg and Malbork...
within the Order. Connected to the castle to the east is a large cathedral (built 1343-1384) containing the tombs of the bishops as well those of three Grand Masters
Grand Master (order)
Grand Master is the typical title of the supreme head of various orders of knighthood, including various military orders, religious orders and civil orders such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Orange Order...
of the Teutonic Knights.
The literally outstanding feature of the castle is a sewer tower which is connected to it by a bridge. The tower used to be placed at the river which has changed its course since, leaving it on dry land.
Modern town
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
church and a cathedral-castle presently used for the museum of Lower Powiśle.
Other sights include the appellate court for Kwidzyn County, a new town hall, and government buildings.
A branch of the company International Paper
International Paper
International Paper Company is an American pulp and paper company, the largest such company in the world. It has approximately 59,500 employees, and it is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.-History:...
is located in Kwidzyn, as is the Kwidzyn School of Management.
The second biggest employer is Jabil which is one of world leading EMS (Electronics manufacturing services
Electronics manufacturing services
Electronic manufacturing services is a term used for companies that design, test, manufacture, distribute, and provide return/repair services for electronic components and assemblies for original equipment manufacturers...
) companies. The city has a lower than national average crime and unemployment rates when compared to the average rate in 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...
average. Success in this field was gained through high level of sport programs for youths. Programs such as MMTS Kwidzyn (handball
Team handball
Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team...
) or MTS Basket Kwidzyn
Basket Kwidzyn
Bank BPS Basket Kwidzyn is a Polish basketball team, based in Kwidzyn, playing in Dominet Bank Ekstraliga.-Achievements:* Promotion to 1 liga in 2004* Promotion to Dominet Bank Ekstraliga in season 2006/2007...
are the best examples of this.
People
- Johannes Marienwerder (1343–1417), theologian
- Dorothea of MontauDorothea of MontauSaint Dorothea of Montau was a hermitess and visionary of 14th century Germany. After centuries of veneration in Central Europe, she was canonized in 1976.-Life:...
(1347–1394), saint - Rudolf von AuerswaldRudolf von AuerswaldRudolf Ludwig Cäsar von Auerswald was a German official who served as Prime Minister of Prussia during the Revolution of 1848....
(1795–1866), Prime Minister of Prussia - Hermann von DechendHermann von DechendHermann Dechend, since 1865 ennobled von Dechend, was a Prussian public official and first President of the Reichsbank.- Biography :...
(1814–1890), first President of the ReichsbankReichsbankThe Reichsbank was the central bank of Germany from 1876 until 1945. It was founded on 1 January 1876 . The Reichsbank was a privately owned central bank of Prussia, under close control by the Reich government. Its first president was Hermann von Dechend... - Ernst Kossak (1814–1880), journalist
- Rudolf HeidenhainRudolf HeidenhainRudolf Peter Heinrich Heidenhain was a German physiologist who was born in Marienwerder, East Prussia . He studied medicine at the Universities of Halle and Berlin. After receiving his doctorate, he remained in Berlin as an assistant to Emil du Bois-Reymond...
(1834–1897), physiologist - Gustav CohnGustav CohnGustav Cohn was a German economist, noted for his pioneering contributions to the theory and policy of transportation and public finance. He was educated at Berlin and Jena universities...
(1840–1919), economist - Kurt Rosenfeld (1877–1943), politician
- Józef KrasnowolskiJózef KrasnowolskiJózef Krasnowolski , second son of Antoni Krasnowolski, teacher, philologist and translator, and Augusta von Thumen , born in Marienwerder , Province of West Prussia....
(1879–1939), artist - Thuro Balzer (1882–1967), painter
- Fritz GoerdelerFritz GoerdelerFritz Hermann Goerdeler was a German jurist and resistance fighter. Goerdeler was born as the younger brother of Carl Friedrich Goerdeler in Schneidemühl and grew up in Marienwerder, where his father had taken office as a judge at the local court in 1890. Goerdeler studied law and worked as a...
(1886–1945), mayor in 1920-33 - Kurt-Jürgen Freiherr von LützowKurt-Jürgen Freiherr von LützowKurt-Jürgen Freiherr von Lützow was a German general during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
(1892–1961), general - Joachim WitthöftJoachim WitthöftJoachim Witthöft was a highly decorated General der Infanterie in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership...
(1887 – 1966) general - Rolf Lahr (1908–1985), diplomat
- Hardy RodenstockHardy RodenstockHardy Rodenstock is a former publisher and manager of pop and Schlager music in Germany and is a prominent wine collector, connoisseur and trader, with a special interest in old and rare wines...
(born 1941), music publisher and manager - Wojciech BelonWojciech BelonWojciech Belon , also known as Wojtek Bellon, was a Polish poet, songwriter and folksinger...
(1952–1985), poet, songwriter and folksinger - Tomasz Piotr NowakTomasz Piotr NowakTomasz Piotr Nowak is a Polish politician. He was elected to Sejm on September 25, 2005 getting 9559 votes in 37 Konin district, candidating from Platforma Obywatelska list.-External links:...
(born 1956), politician - Jacek Borcuch (born 1970), actor and film director
- Marek SzulenMarek SzulenMarek 'mRqS' Szulen - Polish composer of electronic music . Director of Festival Of Electronic Music "KOMP" in Kwidzyn, Poland.-Discography:*"Ankaria" - rel. 1999*"Creation - Universal Consciousness" - rel. 2002 r...
(born 1975), composer of electronic music - Maciej Silski (born 1976), singer
Twin towns — sister cities
Kwidzyn 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: Celle
Celle
Celle is a town and capital of the district of Celle, in Lower Saxony, Germany. The town is situated on the banks of the River Aller, a tributary of the Weser and has a population of about 71,000...
, 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...
Bar
Bar, Ukraine
Bar is a city located on the Rov River in the Vinnytsia Oblast of western Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Barskyi Raion , and is part of the historic region of Podolia. The current estimated population is 17,200 .-History:The city was a small trade outpost named Row...
, 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...
Olofström
Olofström
Olofström is a locality and the seat of Olofström Municipality in Blekinge County, Sweden with 7,382 inhabitants in 2005.The increased use of cars in the 1950s and 60s was the great boost for the municipality...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....