Wielun
Encyclopedia
Wieluń ' is a city in central Poland
with 24,347 inhabitants (2006). Situated in the Łódź Voivodeship (since 1999), it was previously in Sieradz Voivodeship
(1975–1998).
in the first action of World War II (apart from the Jabłonków Incident
on August 25/26). German bombers destroyed most of the town centre, including a clearly marked hospital and the historic Gothic
church, and killed nearly 1,300 civilians. Three-quarters of the town was destroyed. The casualty rate was more than twice as high as Guernica
. No Polish military units were present in the town at that time.
.
Number of inhabitants in years
(to the north-east) and Wrocław (to the west), via the European route E67
(National Road
). There are also two national roads: number to Częstochowa
and to Opole
and Łódź.
Furthermore, there are two voivodeship (local) roads starting from Wieluń: road number 481 (going north-east) to Łask and road number 486 (going south-east) to Radomsko
.
The biggest communication problem in Wieluń is huge traffic (including transit) in the center of the town, due to lack of bypasses. Completion of a bypass of the E67 route is planned for 2011, later additional bypasses will be built. The first section of the eastern bypass has already been finished. In the area of Wieluń there will also be the future motorway Expressway S8 (it will be located near southern outskirts of the town). Additionally, in the years 2009–2011 the 70 km-long Kalisz-Wieluń Road will be finished.
and Katowice
. The line was built in the 1920s, as the junction of Kluczbork
remained within borders of Weimar Germany and direct rail communication between Polish part of Upper Silesia
and Poznań was impossible. Therefore, it was crucial to construct a brand new line, which runs from Herby Nowe
to Kepno
. The line was one of the most important connections in the Second Polish Republic
, but after World War II, when Kluczbork was annexed by Poland, it lost its importance.
Also, until the end of the 1980s, there was a narrow gauge railroad, which connected Wieluń with nearby Praszka
. Currently, the town has two operating railway stations: Wieluń Dąbrowa and Wieluń Miasto. Wieluń is directly connected by rail with such cities as Tarnowskie Góry
, Katowice, Poznań, Szczecin
and Kępno. Once there was also a direct connection to Częstochowa
and Lubliniec. Another means of communication with the surroundings and the entire country are buses. There is a modern (though built in 1976) bus station, which also handles international communication.
with: Adelebsen
, Germany Osterburg
, Germany Letterkenny
, Ireland
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 24,347 inhabitants (2006). Situated in the Łódź Voivodeship (since 1999), it was previously in Sieradz Voivodeship
Sieradz Voivodeship
Sieradz Voivodeship was a unit of administrative division and local government in Poland in the years 1975–1998, superseded by Łódź Voivodeship.-1975-1998:Capital city: SieradzMajor cities and towns: :* Zduńska Wola ;...
(1975–1998).
History
On September 1, 1939, the city was bombed by the German LuftwaffeLuftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
in the first action of World War II (apart from the Jabłonków Incident
Jabłonków Incident
Jabłonków Incident refers to the events of the night of August 25/26, 1939, along the Polish - Slovak border. On that night, a group of German Military Intelligence armed agents attacked a rail station in Mosty. The main purpose of the attack was to capture the Jablunkov Pass, with its strategic...
on August 25/26). German bombers destroyed most of the town centre, including a clearly marked hospital and the historic Gothic
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, and killed nearly 1,300 civilians. Three-quarters of the town was destroyed. The casualty rate was more than twice as high as Guernica
Bombing of Guernica
The bombing of Guernica was an aerial attack on the Basque town of Guernica, Spain, causing widespread destruction and civilian deaths, during the Spanish Civil War...
. No Polish military units were present in the town at that time.
Demographics
The majority of the population are CatholicRoman 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...
.
Number of inhabitants in years
- 1900: 7,361
- 1909: 9,095; incl. 3,444 JewsJewsThe Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
(37.8%), 352 Protestants (3.9%) and no MariavitesMariavite ChurchThe Mariavite Church is an independent Christian church that emerged from the Catholic Church of Poland at the turn of the 20th century. Initially, it was an internal movement leading to a reform of the Polish clergy. After a conflict with Polish bishops, it became a separate and independent...
. - 1931: 13,220
- 2006: 24,347
Roads
Wieluń is an important transportation hub. Main roads stemming from Wieluń include connection with WarsawWarsaw
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...
(to the north-east) and Wrocław (to the west), via the European route E67
European route E67
European route E 67 is a E-road running from Prague in the Czech Republic to Helsinki in Finland by way of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia....
(National Road
National roads in Poland
National road in Poland refers to a public trunk road controlled by the Polish central government authority, the General Directorship of National Roads and Motorways...
). There are also two national roads: number to Częstochowa
Czestochowa
Częstochowa is a city in south Poland on the Warta River with 240,027 inhabitants . It has been situated in the Silesian Voivodeship since 1999, and was previously the capital of Częstochowa Voivodeship...
and to Opole
Opole
Opole is a city in southern Poland on the Oder River . It has a population of 125,992 and is the capital of the Upper Silesia, Opole Voivodeship and, also the seat of Opole County...
and Łódź.
Furthermore, there are two voivodeship (local) roads starting from Wieluń: road number 481 (going north-east) to Łask and road number 486 (going south-east) to Radomsko
Radomsko
Radomsko is a town in central Poland with 50,618 inhabitants . It is situated on the Radomka river in the Łódź Voivodeship , having previously been in Piotrków Trybunalski Voivodeship . It is the capital of Radomsko County....
.
The biggest communication problem in Wieluń is huge traffic (including transit) in the center of the town, due to lack of bypasses. Completion of a bypass of the E67 route is planned for 2011, later additional bypasses will be built. The first section of the eastern bypass has already been finished. In the area of Wieluń there will also be the future motorway Expressway S8 (it will be located near southern outskirts of the town). Additionally, in the years 2009–2011 the 70 km-long Kalisz-Wieluń Road will be finished.
Railways
Rail connection links Wieluń to PoznańPoznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
and Katowice
Katowice
Katowice is a city in Silesia in southern Poland, on the Kłodnica and Rawa rivers . Katowice is located in the Silesian Highlands, about north of the Silesian Beskids and about southeast of the Sudetes Mountains.It is the central district of the Upper Silesian Metropolis, with a population of 2...
. The line was built in the 1920s, as the junction of Kluczbork
Kluczbork
Kluczbork is a town in southwestern Poland with 26,670 inhabitants , situated in the Opole Voivodeship. It is the capital of Kluczbork County and an important railroad junction. In Kluczbork the major rail line from Katowice splits into two directions - westwards to Wroclaw and northwards to Poznań...
remained within borders of Weimar Germany and direct rail communication between Polish part of Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
and Poznań was impossible. Therefore, it was crucial to construct a brand new line, which runs from Herby Nowe
Herby Nowe
Herby Nowe is a major Polish rail junction, located north of the Upper Silesian Industrial Area, along the Polish Coal Trunk-Line, in the Lubliniec County of the Silesian Voivodeship. Around the station, which was opened in 1926, there is a whole district of condominiums and houses, built for the...
to Kepno
Kepno
Kępno is a town in Poland. It lies on the outskirts of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, as it borders on Silesia and the Łódz Land, at the crossing point of two transport routes: north to south and east to west . As of December 31, 2009 Kępno had a population of 14,760...
. The line was one of the most important connections in the Second Polish Republic
Second Polish Republic
The Second Polish Republic, Second Commonwealth of Poland or interwar Poland refers to Poland between the two world wars; a period in Polish history in which Poland was restored as an independent state. Officially known as the Republic of Poland or the Commonwealth of Poland , the Polish state was...
, but after World War II, when Kluczbork was annexed by Poland, it lost its importance.
Also, until the end of the 1980s, there was a narrow gauge railroad, which connected Wieluń with nearby Praszka
Praszka
Praszka is a town in Olesno County, Opole Voivodeship, Poland, with 8,230 inhabitants .-References:...
. Currently, the town has two operating railway stations: Wieluń Dąbrowa and Wieluń Miasto. Wieluń is directly connected by rail with such cities as Tarnowskie Góry
Tarnowskie Góry
Tarnowskie Góry is a town in Silesia in southern Poland, near Katowice. Borders on the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - metropolis with the population of 2 millions. Located in the Silesian Highlands....
, Katowice, Poznań, Szczecin
Szczecin
Szczecin , is the capital city of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. It is the country's seventh-largest city and the largest seaport in Poland on the Baltic Sea. As of June 2009 the population was 406,427....
and Kępno. Once there was also a direct connection to Częstochowa
Czestochowa
Częstochowa is a city in south Poland on the Warta River with 240,027 inhabitants . It has been situated in the Silesian Voivodeship since 1999, and was previously the capital of Częstochowa Voivodeship...
and Lubliniec. Another means of communication with the surroundings and the entire country are buses. There is a modern (though built in 1976) bus station, which also handles international communication.
Public transport
Wieluń, like most cities, has a municipal communications. In Wieluń runs 9 lines operated by two companies. Public transportation has existed since 1988.- Line A: Wieluń Dąbrowa Railway Station – Rychłowice
- Line B: Racking room gas – Ruda
- Line C: Wieluń Dąbrowa Railway Station – Olewin
- Line D: Kurów – Wierzchlas
- Line D – BIS: Railway Station – POW
- Line E: Racking room gas – Old Orchards
- Line F: Wieluń Dąbrowa Railway Station – Ruda
- Line G: Racking room gas – Czestochowska
- Line H: Masłowice – Old Orchards
Districts
- Downtown
- Armii Krajowej housing estate
- Bugaj housing estate
- Kopernika housing estate
- Stare Sady housing estate ("Old Orchards" housing estate )
- Wyszyńskiego housing estate
- Wojska Polskiego housing estate
- "Za szpitalem" (Behind Hospital housing estate)
- Niedzielsko
- Chrusty
- Berlinek
- Stodolniana housing estate
- Moniuszki housing estate
- Podszubienice
- Kijak
- Błonie
Twin towns — Sister cities
Wieluń 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: Adelebsen
Adelebsen
Adelebsen is a municipality in the district of Göttingen, in Lower Saxony, Germany.It consists of the localities Adelebsen, Barterode, Eberhausen, Erbsen, Güntersen, Lödingsen and Wibbecke....
, Germany Osterburg
Osterburg (Altmark)
Osterburg is a town in the district of Stendal, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, situated approximately 22 km northwest of Stendal.-International relations:Osterburg is twinned with: Wieluń, Poland...
, Germany Letterkenny
Letterkenny
Letterkenny , with a population of 17,568, is the largest town in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. The town is located on the River Swilly...
, Ireland