Swiebodzice
Encyclopedia
Świebodzice ś is a town in south-western Poland
with 23,126 inhabitants (as of 2006). It is situated in Świdnica County
, Lower Silesian Voivodeship
(from 1975–1998 it was in the former Wałbrzych Voivodeship).
The town is situated close to Książ Castle, which during World War II
, together with the underground cave complex, was expanded to create private quarters for Adolf Hitler
.
The region passed to Poland from Germany
in 1945, as a result of decisions confirmed at the Potsdam Conference
. For more information about the general history of the region, see Silesia
.
Old fortifications from around 1279, the year the town was founded, still remain.
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 23,126 inhabitants (as of 2006). It is situated in 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...
, 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...
(from 1975–1998 it was in the former Wałbrzych Voivodeship).
The town is situated close to Książ Castle, which 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...
, together with the underground cave complex, was expanded to create private quarters for Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
.
The region passed to Poland from 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...
in 1945, as a result of decisions confirmed at the 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...
. For more information about the general history of the region, see 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...
.
Old fortifications from around 1279, the year the town was founded, still remain.
Notable residents
- Hartmut Kilger (born 1943), President of the German Lawyer's Association (2003–2009)
- Martin Kirschner (1842–1912), Mayor of Berlin
- 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), scientist - Wilhelm Niepelt (1862–1936), scientist