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] ]
] ]
], pre-war Poles in Szczecin, Poles who rebuilt the city after ] and modern generation: Pomnik Czynu Polaków, Szczecin]] ]: the pre-war Poles in Szczecin, the Poles who rebuilt the city after ] and the modern generation]]
] and Wały Chrobrego]] ] and Wały Chrobrego]]


'''Szczecin''' {{IPAr|pl|AUD|Szczecin.ogg|'|sz|cz|e|ć|i|n}} ({{lang-de|Stettin}} {{IPA|]]}} {{Audlisten|Stettin.ogg}}; {{lang-csb|Sztetëno}} {{IPA|]]}}; {{lang-la|Stetinum}}) is the ] of ] in ]. It is the country's seventh-largest city and the largest ] in Poland on the ]. As of the 2005 ] the city had a total population of 420,638. In 2007 its population was 407,811. '''Szczecin''' {{IPAr|pl|AUD|Szczecin.ogg|'|sz|cz|e|ć|i|n}} ({{lang-de|Stettin}} {{IPA|]]}} {{Audlisten|Stettin.ogg}}; {{lang-csb|Sztetëno}} {{IPA|]]}}; {{lang-la|Stetinum}}) is the ] of ] in ]. It is the country's seventh-largest city and the largest ] in Poland on the ]. As of the 2005 ] the city had a total population of 420,638. In 2007 its population was 407,811.


Szczecin is located on the ], south of the ] and the ]. The city is situated along the southwestern shore of ], on both sides of Oder and on several large islands between western and eastern branch of the river. Szczecin borders with ] – seat of ] – situated at an ] of the Oder River. Szczecin is located on the ], south of the ] and the ]. The city is situated along the southwestern shore of ], on both sides of Oder and on several large islands between western and eastern branch of the river. Szczecin borders with ], seat of the ], situated at an ] of the Oder River.


The city is on the ]. The city is on the ].


==Name and its etymology==
==Etymology==
The name of Szczecin, its neighbourhood locations and oldest districts is considered to be of Slavic origins, however the exact word upon which it is based on is subject of ongoing research<ref name="Bialecki">Tadeusz Białecki, "Historia Szczecina" Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich, 1992 Wrocław. Pages 9,20-55, 92-95, 258-260, 300-306</ref> The name of Szczecin, its neighbourhood locations and oldest districts is considered to be of Slavic origins, however the exact word upon which it is based on is subject of ongoing research<ref name="Bialecki">Tadeusz Białecki, "Historia Szczecina" Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich, 1992 Wrocław. Pages 9,20-55, 92-95, 258-260, 300-306</ref>


Professor Maria Malec in ''Etymological dictionary of geographical names of Poland'' writes that 11 theories regarding the origin of the name exist. According to her Professor Maria Malec in ''Etymological dictionary of geographical names of Poland'' has counted 11 distinct theories regarding the origin of the name exist. She has determined that the most important theories link the name to ''Szczyt'', name of a hill peak, ''Szczeć'', description of grass, or ''Szczota'', a personal name.<ref>Słownik etymologiczny nazw geograficznych Polski Profesor Maria Malec PWN 2003</ref>
the most important theories are linking the name to the word Szczyt or Szczeć-the first being the name of a hill peak, the second being a description of grass or the personal name Szczota<ref> Słownik etymologiczny nazw geograficznych Polski Profesor Maria Malec PWN 2003</ref>


Historian Marian Gumowski argued, based on his studies of early city stamps and seals, that the earliest name of the town was ''Szczycin''. Historian Marian Gumowski argued, based on his studies of early city stamps and seals, that the earliest name of the town was ''Szczycin''.


As the city was subjected to German colonization, Germanisation of the early name occurred.<ref name="Bialecki"/> As the city was colonised by Germans, the early name was also Germanised.<ref name="Bialecki"/>


In Latin, the city is known as ''Stetinum''. Early medieval sources show: ''Stetin'' 1133, ''Stetyn'' 1188, ''Priznoborus vir nobilis in Stetin, Symon nobilis Stettinensis'' 1234, ''in vico Stetin'' 1240, ''Barnim Dei gratia dux Pomeranorum... civitati nostri Stetin'' 1243, ''Stityn'' 1251, ''Sigillum Burgoncium de Stitin'' municipal seal of the 13th century. In ], the city is referred to as ''Stetinum''. Early medieval sources vary somewhat: ''Stetin'' 1133, ''Stetyn'' 1188, ''Priznoborus vir nobilis in Stetin, Symon nobilis Stettinensis'' 1234, ''in vico Stetin'' 1240, ''Barnim Dei gratia dux Pomeranorum... civitati nostri Stetin'' 1243, ''Stityn'' 1251, ''Sigillum Burgoncium de Stitin'' municipal seal from the 13th century.


Because ], ] founded the city of ''Neustettin'' (literally "New Stettin", now '']'') in 1310, the original Szczecin was sometimes called "Old Szczecin" ({{lang-pl|Stary Szczecin}}). In 1310, ], ] founded the city of ''Neustettin'' (literally "New Stettin", now '']''). For distinction, the original Szczecin was sometimes called "Old Szczecin" ({{lang-pl|Stary Szczecin}}).


While most of the names were Germanised, after 1945 the Slavic-sounding original names of locations in Pomerania were restored alongside with the name of Szczecin<ref name="Bialecki"/> While most of the names had been Germanised, after 1945 the Slavic-sounding original names of locations in Pomerania were restored. Among others, Szczecin's name was restored from Stettin.<ref name="Bialecki"/>


==History== ==History==
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The history of Szczecin began in the 8th century, when ] ] and erected a ], later with an adjacent settlement, on the site of the ]. ] and Piast rulers ] during the years 960-1005 but not the lower ] region.<ref>Jan M Piskorski, Pommern im Wandel der Zeit, 1999, pp.31,32, ISBN 839061848</ref><ref>Paul W. Knoll, Frank Schaer, annotaded Gesta Principum Polonorum: The Deeds of the Princes of the Poles by Gallus, Central European University Press, 2003, p.32, ISBN 9639241407</ref>. Subsequent attempts were made to gain control of the region by Polish rulers, rivaling with the ] and ] for the control of the territory.<ref name="Bialecki"/> The history of Szczecin began in the 8th century, when ] ] and erected a ], later with an adjacent settlement, on the site of the ]. ] and Piast rulers ] during the years 960-1005 but not the lower ] region.<ref>Jan M Piskorski, Pommern im Wandel der Zeit, 1999, pp.31,32, ISBN 839061848</ref><ref>Paul W. Knoll, Frank Schaer, annotaded Gesta Principum Polonorum: The Deeds of the Princes of the Poles by Gallus, Central European University Press, 2003, p.32, ISBN 9639241407</ref>. Subsequent attempts were made to gain control of the region by Polish rulers, rivaling with the ] and ] for the control of the territory.<ref name="Bialecki"/>


After the decline of neighboring regional center ] in the 12th century, the settlement became one of the more important and powerful seaports of the Baltic Sea south coasts.
After the decline of neighboring regional center ] in the 12th century, the settlement became one of the more important and powerful seaports of the Baltic Sea south coasts. In the winter of 1121/22, the burgh under local duke ] was subjugated by ]<ref name="Bialecki"/><ref name="Barber">Malcolm Barber, "The two cities: medieval Europe, 1050-1320", Routledge, 2004, pg. 330 </ref> and ]<ref name="Bialecki"/><ref name="Barber"/> due to two missions of bishop ] in 1124 and 1128. At this time, the first Christian church of St. Peter and Paul was erected. Wartislaw managed to expand his realm westward, thereby forming the territorial body of the later ]. Polish minted coins were used in trade<ref name="Bialecki"/>.


In a campaign lasting ]&ndash;], ], the Duke of Poland, regained control of Western Pomerania up to the island of ].<ref name="Bialecki"/><ref name="Barber">Malcolm Barber, "The two cities: medieval Europe, 1050-1320", Routledge, 2004, pg. 330 </ref> Restoration of Polish rule brought integration of Szczecin into the framework of a developed feudal state, and organised ] religion was imported from the territories of Poland<ref name="Bialecki"/><ref name="Barber"/> Polish minted coins were commonly used in trade in this period.<ref name="Bialecki"/> <!-- Sure that this is relevant? It is not surprising that a Polish-ruled town would use Polish currency. --> The inhabitants ]<ref name="Bialecki"/><ref name="Barber"/> by two missions of bishop ] in ] and ]. At this time, the first Christian church of St. Peter and Paul was erected.
⚫ The German, Danish, and Polish<ref>Davies, Norman (1996), Europe: A History. Oxford: Oxford University Press, p.362, ISBN 0-06-097468-0.</ref> ] was mounted in 1147 and led by several bishops, including those of Mainz, Halberstadt, Münster, Merseburg, Brandenburg, Olmütz, and Havelberg, the abbot of Corvey, and the secular margraves Conrad I and Albert the Bear, devastated and looted the countryside before moving on to besiege the burgh. The citizens had placed crosses around the fortifications,<ref>Jean Richard, Jean Birrell, "The Crusades, c. 1071-c. 1291", Cambridge University Press, 1999, pg. 158, </ref> indicating they already had been Christianized.<ref name="Bialecki"/><ref>Jonathan Riley-Smith, "The Crusades: A History", Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005, pg. 130, </ref> In the end the siege did not result in subjugation of the city.<ref>Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.30, ISBN 3886802728</ref> .

⚫ Those gains were hindered by German aggression and expansion, resulting in weakening of connections of Szczecin with Poland, under the leadership of the German Margrave ], who was a sworn enemy of Slavic presence in the region. Organizing a expedition by German knights and Denmark he plundered the area in the so called ], burned down settlements and murdered local population before moving on to besiege Szczecin itself. The crusaders faced a city surrounded by crosses,<ref>Jean Richard, Jean Birrell, "The Crusades, c. 1071-c. 1291", Cambridge University Press, 1999, pg. 158, </ref> which was meant to indicate that their claims of fighting pagans were false, as Szczecin had already been Christianized. <ref name="Bialecki"/><ref>Jonathan Riley-Smith, "The Crusades: A History", Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005, pg. 130, </ref> In the end the siege did not result in subjugation of the city.<ref>Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.30, ISBN 3886802728</ref> .


In the second half of the 12th century, a group of German tradesmen (from various parts of the ]) settled in the city around St. Jacob's Church, which was founded by Beringer, a trader from ], and consecrated in 1187.<ref>Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.43, ISBN 3886802728</ref> After the 1164 ], Stettin duke ] became a vassal of the ]<ref name="Buchholz, p.34">Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.34, ISBN 3886802728</ref>. In 1173, Stettin castellan ] could not resist a Danish attack and became vassal of Denmark.<ref name="Buchholz, p.34"/> In 1181, duke Bogislaw I of Stettin became a vassal of the Holy Roman Empire.<ref name="Buchholz, p.35">Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.35, ISBN 3886802728</ref> From 1185 to 1227, Stettin dukes were again vassals of Denmark.<ref name="Buchholz, p.35"/> The burgh was manned with a Danish force and reconstructed in 1190.<ref>Université de Caen. Centre de recherches archéologiques médiévales, ''Château-Gaillard: études de castellologie médiévale, XVIII : actes du colloque international tenu à Gilleleje, Danemark, 24-30 août 1996'', CRAHM, 1998, p.218, ISBN 290268505</ref> In the second half of the 12th century, a group of German tradesmen (from various parts of the ]) settled in the city around St. Jacob's Church, which was founded by Beringer, a trader from ], and consecrated in 1187.<ref>Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.43, ISBN 3886802728</ref> After the 1164 ], Stettin duke ] became a vassal of the ]<ref name="Buchholz, p.34">Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.34, ISBN 3886802728</ref>. In 1173, Stettin castellan ] could not resist a Danish attack and became vassal of Denmark.<ref name="Buchholz, p.34"/> In 1181, duke Bogislaw I of Stettin became a vassal of the Holy Roman Empire.<ref name="Buchholz, p.35">Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.35, ISBN 3886802728</ref> From 1185 to 1227, Stettin dukes were again vassals of Denmark.<ref name="Buchholz, p.35"/> The burgh was manned with a Danish force and reconstructed in 1190.<ref>Université de Caen. Centre de recherches archéologiques médiévales, ''Château-Gaillard: études de castellologie médiévale, XVIII : actes du colloque international tenu à Gilleleje, Danemark, 24-30 août 1996'', CRAHM, 1998, p.218, ISBN 290268505</ref>
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German settlement (]) accelerated in Pomerania during the 13th century.<ref>Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.43ff, ISBN 3886802728</ref> Duke ] granted a local government charter to this community in 1237, separating the German settlement from the Slavic community settled around the St. Nicholas Church in the neighborhood of Kessin ({{lang-pl|Chyzin}}). When Barnim granted Stettin ] in 1243, the old Slavic settlement with its burgh was included within the city limits, which is exceptional for Pomeranian towns usually not comprising former Slavic settlements or burghs, though sometimes founded in close proximity.<ref>Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.75, ISBN 3886802728</ref> The former Slavic settlement was dissolved when, after the town was placed under German town law, the duke had to promise to level the burgh in 1249.<ref>Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.83, ISBN 3886802728</ref> Most Slavic inhabitants were resettled to two new suburbia ({{lang-de|Wieken}}) north and south of the town.<ref>Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.84, ISBN 3886802728</ref> German settlement (]) accelerated in Pomerania during the 13th century.<ref>Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.43ff, ISBN 3886802728</ref> Duke ] granted a local government charter to this community in 1237, separating the German settlement from the Slavic community settled around the St. Nicholas Church in the neighborhood of Kessin ({{lang-pl|Chyzin}}). When Barnim granted Stettin ] in 1243, the old Slavic settlement with its burgh was included within the city limits, which is exceptional for Pomeranian towns usually not comprising former Slavic settlements or burghs, though sometimes founded in close proximity.<ref>Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.75, ISBN 3886802728</ref> The former Slavic settlement was dissolved when, after the town was placed under German town law, the duke had to promise to level the burgh in 1249.<ref>Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.83, ISBN 3886802728</ref> Most Slavic inhabitants were resettled to two new suburbia ({{lang-de|Wieken}}) north and south of the town.<ref>Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.84, ISBN 3886802728</ref>


Stettin joined the ] in 1278. The anti-Slavic policies of German merchants and craftsmen intensified in this period, resulting in bans on people of Slavic descent joining craft guilds, or even bans against public usage of native Slavic language<ref name="Bialecki"/>. In Szczecin, richer Slavic citizens were forcefully stripped of their possessions which were awarded to Germans<ref name="Bialecki"/>. Stettin joined the ] in 1278. The anti-Slavic policies of German merchants and craftsmen intensified in this period, resulting in bans on people of Slavic descent joining ]s, or even bans against public usage of native Slavic language<ref name="Bialecki"/>. In Szczecin, richer Slavic citizens were forcefully stripped of their possessions which were awarded to Germans<ref name="Bialecki"/>.


In 1570, ] ending the Northern Seven Years' War. In 1570, ] ending the Northern Seven Years' War.
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The Soviet ] captured the city on 26 April 1945. Many of the city's inhabitants fled before its capture, and Stettin was virtually deserted when it fell, with only 6,000 Germans in the city when Polish authorities took control <ref name="Bialecki"/>. In the following month the city was handed over to Polish administration three times, permanently on 5 July 1945. In the meantime part of the German population had returned, believing it might become part of the ] in Germany. Stettin is located mostly west of the ] river, which was considered to become Poland's new border. However, Stettin and the mouth of the Oder River ({{lang-de|Stettiner Zipfel}}), also became Polish as already stated in Treaty signed on 26 VII 1944 between Soviet Union and ] and confirmed during ] <ref name="Bialecki"/>.. On 4 X 1945 the decisive land border of Poland was laid out west from 1945 and Szczecin officially became once more part of Polish state<ref name="Bialecki"/>. The Soviet ] captured the city on 26 April 1945. Many of the city's inhabitants fled before its capture, and Stettin was virtually deserted when it fell, with only 6,000 Germans in the city when Polish authorities took control <ref name="Bialecki"/>. In the following month the city was handed over to Polish administration three times, permanently on 5 July 1945. In the meantime part of the German population had returned, believing it might become part of the ] in Germany. Stettin is located mostly west of the ] river, which was considered to become Poland's new border. However, Stettin and the mouth of the Oder River ({{lang-de|Stettiner Zipfel}}), also became Polish as already stated in Treaty signed on 26 VII 1944 between Soviet Union and ] and confirmed during ] <ref name="Bialecki"/>.. On 4 X 1945 the decisive land border of Poland was laid out west from 1945 and Szczecin officially became once more part of Polish state<ref name="Bialecki"/>.


The Polish authorities were led by Piotr Zaremba. Many of the remaining Germans were forced to work in Soviet military camps that were outside of Polish jurisdiction. The Polish authorities were led by Piotr Zaremba. Many remaining Germans were forced to work in Soviet military camps that were outside of Polish jurisdiction.
In 1945 the Polish community in Stettin consisted of ] from the ]. The city's ] and Stettin was resettled with ]. Additional Poles were moved to the city from ]. This settlement process was coordinated by the city of Poznań, and Stettin's name was restored to the Polish name Szczecin. In 1947, after ], a significant number of ] came to Szczecin, having been forced by the Communist government to leave eastern Poland. In 1945 the Polish community in Stettin consisted of ] from the ]. The city's ] and Stettin was resettled with ]. Additional Poles were moved to the city from ]. This settlement process was coordinated by the city of Poznań, and Stettin's name was restored to the Polish name Szczecin. In 1947, after ], a significant number of ] came to Szczecin, having been forced by the Communist government to leave eastern Poland.


The new citizens of Szczecin rebuilt and extended the city's industry and industrial areas, as well as its cultural heritage, although efforts were hampered by the authorities of ]. Szczecin became a major industrial centre for Poland, as well as an important seaport for Poland (especially for ]n coal), ], and ]. The city witnessed anti-communist revolts in 1970 and 1980 and participated in the growth of the ] movement during the 1980s. Since 1999 Szczecin has been the capital of the ]. The new citizens of Szczecin rebuilt and extended the city's industry and industrial areas, as well as its cultural heritage, although efforts were hampered by the authorities of ]. Szczecin became a major Polish industrial centre and an important seaport (particularly for ]n coal) for both Poland, ], and ]. The city witnessed anti-communist revolts in 1970 and 1980 and participated in the growth of the ] movement during the 1980s. Since 1999 Szczecin has been the capital of the ].


==Architecture and urban planning== ==Architecture and urban planning==
Szczecin's architectural style is mainly influenced by those of the last half of the 19th century and the first years of the 20th century: ] and ]. In many areas built after 1945, especially in the city centre, which had been destroyed due to Allied bombing, ] is prevalent. Szczecin's architectural style is mainly influenced by those of the last half of the 19th century and the first years of the 20th century: ] and ]. In many areas built after 1945, especially in the city centre, which had been destroyed due to Allied bombing, ] is prevalent.


Urban planning of Szczecin is unusual. The first thing observed by a newcomer is abundance of green areas: ]s and avenues{{ndash}} wide streets with trees planted in the island separating opposite traffic (where often ] tracks are laid); and ]. This makes Szczecin's city project quite similar to that of ]. The reason is, Szczecin (like Paris) was rebuilt in the 1880s using a design by ]. Urban planning of Szczecin is unusual. The first thing observed by a newcomer is abundance of green areas: ]s and avenues{{ndash}} wide streets with trees planted in the island separating opposite traffic (where often ] tracks are laid); and ]. Thus, Szczecin's city plan resembles that of ]. This is because Szczecin was rebuilt in the ] according to a design by ], who had ] under ].


This course of designing streets in Szczecin is still used, as many recently built (or modified) city areas include roundabouts and avenues. This course of designing streets in Szczecin is still used, as many recently built (or modified) city areas include roundabouts and avenues.
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===Municipal administration=== ===Municipal administration===
The city is administratively divided into boroughs (Polish: ''dzielnica''), which are further divided into smaller neighbourhoods. The governing bodies of the latter serve the role of auxiliary local government bodies called ''] Councils'' (Polish: ''Rady Osiedla''). ]s for Neighborhood Councils are held up to six months after each City Council elections. Attendance is rather low (on 20 May 2007 it ranged from 1.03% to 27.75% and was 3.78% on average). ]s are responsible mostly for small infrastructure like trees, park benches, ]s, etc. Other functions are mostly advisory. The city is administratively divided into boroughs (Polish: ''dzielnica''), which are further divided into smaller neighbourhoods. The governing bodies of the latter serve the role of auxiliary local government bodies called ''] Councils'' (Polish: ''Rady Osiedla''). ]s for Neighborhood Councils are held up to six months after each City Council elections. Attendance <!-- should this be "voter turnout"? --> is rather low (on 20 May 2007 it ranged from 1.03% to 27.75% and was 3.78% on average). ]s are responsible mostly for small infrastructure like trees, park benches, ]s, etc. Other functions are mostly advisory.
] ]


Line 169: Line 170:
*1945: 260,000 inhabitants (majority of the ]) *1945: 260,000 inhabitants (majority of the ])
*1950: 180,000 inhabitants (drop due to continuing expulsions of Germans) *1950: 180,000 inhabitants (drop due to continuing expulsions of Germans)
*1960: 269,400 inhabitants (arrival of Polish population from the ]) <!-- "Recovered Territories" was mostly a Soviet propaganda term; we shouldn't link to it when discussing demographics or geography -->
*1960: 269,400 inhabitants (arrival of ])
*1970: 338,000 inhabitants *1970: 338,000 inhabitants
*1975: 369,700 inhabitants *1975: 369,700 inhabitants

Revision as of 08:37, 13 June 2009

For other meanings, see Szczecin (disambiguation) and Stettin (disambiguation).
Place in West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland
Szczecin
Oder River in SzczecinOder River in Szczecin
Flag of SzczecinFlagCoat of arms of SzczecinCoat of arms
Nickname: Floating Garden
Motto(s): "Szczecin jest otwarty"
("Szczecin is open")
Country Poland
VoivodeshipWest Pomeranian
Countycity county
Established8th century
Town rights1243
Government
 • MayorPiotr Krzystek
Area
 • City301 km (116 sq mi)
Population
 • City407,811
 • Density1,400/km (3,500/sq mi)
 • Metro777,000
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal codePL-70-017
to 71-871
Area code+48 91
Car platesZS
Websitehttp://www.szczecin.pl
City Hall
The Old Town Hall, now the city's history museum
The Old Town was rebuilt in the late 1990s, consisting of new buildings, some of which were reconstructions of buildings destroyed in WWII
The town's fortifications as seen in 1642
Harbour as seen in 1900
Three Eagles Monument (Pomnik Czynu Polaków, Szczecin), dedicated to three Generations of Poles in Zachodniopomorskie: the pre-war Poles in Szczecin, the Poles who rebuilt the city after World War II and the modern generation
Oder River and Wały Chrobrego

Szczecin Template:IPAr (Template:Lang-de ; Template:Lang-csb ; Template:Lang-la) is the capital city of 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 the 2005 census the city had a total population of 420,638. In 2007 its population was 407,811.

Szczecin is located on the Oder River, south of the Lagoon of Szczecin and the Bay of Pomerania. The city is situated along the southwestern shore of Dąbie Lake, on both sides of Oder and on several large islands between western and eastern branch of the river. Szczecin borders with town of Police, seat of the Police County, situated at an estuary of the Oder River.

The city is on the European Route of Brick Gothic.

Name and its etymology

The name of Szczecin, its neighbourhood locations and oldest districts is considered to be of Slavic origins, however the exact word upon which it is based on is subject of ongoing research

Professor Maria Malec in Etymological dictionary of geographical names of Poland has counted 11 distinct theories regarding the origin of the name exist. She has determined that the most important theories link the name to Szczyt, name of a hill peak, Szczeć, description of grass, or Szczota, a personal name.

Historian Marian Gumowski argued, based on his studies of early city stamps and seals, that the earliest name of the town was Szczycin.

As the city was colonised by Germans, the early name was also Germanised.

In Latin language, the city is referred to as Stetinum. Early medieval sources vary somewhat: Stetin 1133, Stetyn 1188, Priznoborus vir nobilis in Stetin, Symon nobilis Stettinensis 1234, in vico Stetin 1240, Barnim Dei gratia dux Pomeranorum... civitati nostri Stetin 1243, Stityn 1251, Sigillum Burgoncium de Stitin municipal seal from the 13th century.

In 1310, Wartislaw IV, Duke of Pomerania founded the city of Neustettin (literally "New Stettin", now Szczecinek). For distinction, the original Szczecin was sometimes called "Old Szczecin" (Template:Lang-pl).

While most of the names had been Germanised, after 1945 the Slavic-sounding original names of locations in Pomerania were restored. Among others, Szczecin's name was restored from Stettin.

History

Main article: History of Szczecin

Middle Ages

The history of Szczecin began in the 8th century, when West Slavs settled Pomerania and erected a stronghold, later with an adjacent settlement, on the site of the modern castle. Mieszko I of Poland and Piast rulers joined the parts of Pomerania to Poland during the years 960-1005 but not the lower Oder region.. Subsequent attempts were made to gain control of the region by Polish rulers, rivaling with the Holy Roman Empire and Liutician federation for the control of the territory.

After the decline of neighboring regional center Wolin in the 12th century, the settlement became one of the more important and powerful seaports of the Baltic Sea south coasts.

In a campaign lasting 1113–1123, Bolesław III Wrymouth, the Duke of Poland, regained control of Western Pomerania up to the island of Rugia. Restoration of Polish rule brought integration of Szczecin into the framework of a developed feudal state, and organised Catholic religion was imported from the territories of Poland Polish minted coins were commonly used in trade in this period. The inhabitants ] by two missions of bishop Otto of Bamberg in 1124 and 1128. At this time, the first Christian church of St. Peter and Paul was erected.

Those gains were hindered by German aggression and expansion, resulting in weakening of connections of Szczecin with Poland, under the leadership of the German Margrave Albrecht the Bear, who was a sworn enemy of Slavic presence in the region. Organizing a expedition by German knights and Denmark he plundered the area in the so called Wendish Crusade, burned down settlements and murdered local population before moving on to besiege Szczecin itself. The crusaders faced a city surrounded by crosses, which was meant to indicate that their claims of fighting pagans were false, as Szczecin had already been Christianized. In the end the siege did not result in subjugation of the city. .

In the second half of the 12th century, a group of German tradesmen (from various parts of the Holy Roman Empire) settled in the city around St. Jacob's Church, which was founded by Beringer, a trader from Bamberg, and consecrated in 1187. After the 1164 Verchen battle, Stettin duke Bogislaw I became a vassal of the Saxony. In 1173, Stettin castellan Wartislaw II could not resist a Danish attack and became vassal of Denmark. In 1181, duke Bogislaw I of Stettin became a vassal of the Holy Roman Empire. From 1185 to 1227, Stettin dukes were again vassals of Denmark. The burgh was manned with a Danish force and reconstructed in 1190.

German settlement (Ostsiedlung) accelerated in Pomerania during the 13th century. Duke Barnim of Pomerania granted a local government charter to this community in 1237, separating the German settlement from the Slavic community settled around the St. Nicholas Church in the neighborhood of Kessin (Template:Lang-pl). When Barnim granted Stettin Magdeburg Law in 1243, the old Slavic settlement with its burgh was included within the city limits, which is exceptional for Pomeranian towns usually not comprising former Slavic settlements or burghs, though sometimes founded in close proximity. The former Slavic settlement was dissolved when, after the town was placed under German town law, the duke had to promise to level the burgh in 1249. Most Slavic inhabitants were resettled to two new suburbia (Template:Lang-de) north and south of the town.

Stettin joined the Hanseatic League in 1278. The anti-Slavic policies of German merchants and craftsmen intensified in this period, resulting in bans on people of Slavic descent joining craft guilds, or even bans against public usage of native Slavic language. In Szczecin, richer Slavic citizens were forcefully stripped of their possessions which were awarded to Germans.

In 1570, a congress was held at Stettin ending the Northern Seven Years' War.

The last Griffin duke, Bogislaw XIV died when the duchy was made a party in the Thirty Years' War. Since the Treaty of Stettin of 1630, the town along with most of Pomerania was allied to and occupied by the Swedish Empire, who managed to keep the western parts of Pomerania after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, despite the protests of Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg, who had a legal claim to inherit all of Pomerania. The exact partition of Pomerania between Sweden and Brandenburg was settled in Stettin in 1653. In 1720, after the Great Northern War, the Swedes were forced to cede the city to King Frederick William I of Prussia. Stettin developed into a major Prussian city and became part of the Prussian-led German Empire in 1871.

Despite the fact that the city was no longer a part of Poland and had underwent a process of Germanisation, a Polish population still lived in the city and numbered 3,000 people, including a few wealthy industrialists and merchants, before WW I. Among them was Kazimierz Pruszak, director of industrial works Gollnow, and a Polish patriot who predicted eventual return of Szczecin to Poland.

Modern Age

In 1935 the German Wehrmacht made Stettin the headquarters for Wehrkreis II, which controlled the military units in all of Mecklenburg and Pomerania. It was also the Area Headquarters for units stationed at Stettin I and II; Swinemünde; Greifswald; and Stralsund.

In 1939 Stettin had about 400,000 inhabitants, the surrounding villages were included into "Groß-Stettin". It was Germany's third-biggest seaport (after Hamburg and Bremen) and was of great importance for the supply and trade of Berlin. Cars of the Stoewer automobile company were produced in Stettin from 1899 - 1945.

In the interwar period the Polish presence fell to 2,000 people. Neverthless the Polish minority remained active despite repressions . A number of Poles were members of Union of Poles in Germany, a Polish scouts team was established. Additionally a Polish schoold was created where Polish language was tought. Repressions, intensified especially after Adolf Hitler came to power led to closing of the school. Members of Polish community who took part in cultural and political activities were persecuted and even murdered. In 1938 the head of Szczecin’s Union of Poles unit Stanisław Borkowski was imprisoned in Oranienburg . In 1939 all Polish organisations in Szczecin were disbanded by German authorities and during the war teachers from Polish school, Golisz and Omieczyński murdered.

During the 1939 invasion of Poland, which started World War II in Europe, Stettin was the base for the German 2nd Motorized Infantry Division, which cut across the Polish Corridor.

As the war started the number of non-Germans in the city increased as slave workers were brought in. The first transports came in 1939 from Bydgoszcz, Toruń and Łódż. They were mainly used in synthetic silk factory near Szczecin. Next wave of slave workers was brought in 1940 in addition to PoWs who were used to work in agricultural industry. According to German police reports from 1940 the Polish population in the city reached 15,000 people, while 25,000 foreigners were registered in general.

In February 1940, the Jews of Stettin were deported to the Lublin reservation. International press reports emerged writing how the Nazis forced Jews regardless of age, condition and gender to sign away all property-including wedding rings-and loaded on trains escorted by SA and SS. Due to publicity of the event, German institutions ordered such actions in the future to be made in a way not arousing public notice.

During the war 135 work camps for slave workers were established in the city. Most of the slave workers were Poles, besides them Czechs, Italians, Frenchmen and Belgians as well Dutch were served in the camps.

Allied air raids in 1944 and heavy fighting between the German and Soviet armies destroyed 65% of Stettin's buildings and almost all of the city centre, seaport and industries. In April 1945 the authorities of the city issued an order of evacuation and most of the city’s German population fled.

Sedina Monument (1899-1913)

The Soviet Red Army captured the city on 26 April 1945. Many of the city's inhabitants fled before its capture, and Stettin was virtually deserted when it fell, with only 6,000 Germans in the city when Polish authorities took control . In the following month the city was handed over to Polish administration three times, permanently on 5 July 1945. In the meantime part of the German population had returned, believing it might become part of the Soviet occupation zone in Germany. Stettin is located mostly west of the Oder river, which was considered to become Poland's new border. However, Stettin and the mouth of the Oder River (Template:Lang-de), also became Polish as already stated in Treaty signed on 26 VII 1944 between Soviet Union and PKWN and confirmed during Potsdam Conference .. On 4 X 1945 the decisive land border of Poland was laid out west from 1945 and Szczecin officially became once more part of Polish state.

The Polish authorities were led by Piotr Zaremba. Many remaining Germans were forced to work in Soviet military camps that were outside of Polish jurisdiction. In 1945 the Polish community in Stettin consisted of forced laborers from the General government. The city's German population was forcibly expelled and Stettin was resettled with Poles. Additional Poles were moved to the city from Polish areas annexed by the Soviet Union. This settlement process was coordinated by the city of Poznań, and Stettin's name was restored to the Polish name Szczecin. In 1947, after Operation Vistula, a significant number of Ukrainians came to Szczecin, having been forced by the Communist government to leave eastern Poland.

The new citizens of Szczecin rebuilt and extended the city's industry and industrial areas, as well as its cultural heritage, although efforts were hampered by the authorities of Communist Poland. Szczecin became a major Polish industrial centre and an important seaport (particularly for Silesian coal) for both Poland, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany. The city witnessed anti-communist revolts in 1970 and 1980 and participated in the growth of the Solidarity movement during the 1980s. Since 1999 Szczecin has been the capital of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.

Architecture and urban planning

Szczecin's architectural style is mainly influenced by those of the last half of the 19th century and the first years of the 20th century: Academic art and Art Nouveau. In many areas built after 1945, especially in the city centre, which had been destroyed due to Allied bombing, social realism is prevalent.

Urban planning of Szczecin is unusual. The first thing observed by a newcomer is abundance of green areas: parks and avenues– wide streets with trees planted in the island separating opposite traffic (where often tram tracks are laid); and roundabouts. Thus, Szczecin's city plan resembles that of Paris. This is because Szczecin was rebuilt in the 1880s according to a design by Georges-Eugène Haussmann, who had redesigned Paris under Napoléon III.

This course of designing streets in Szczecin is still used, as many recently built (or modified) city areas include roundabouts and avenues.

Within Szczecin's boundaries is part of the protected area called Szczecin Landscape Park in the forest of Puszcza Bukowa.

Szczecin harbour and Oder River panorama

Municipal administration

The city is administratively divided into boroughs (Polish: dzielnica), which are further divided into smaller neighbourhoods. The governing bodies of the latter serve the role of auxiliary local government bodies called Neighborhood Councils (Polish: Rady Osiedla). Elections for Neighborhood Councils are held up to six months after each City Council elections. Attendance is rather low (on 20 May 2007 it ranged from 1.03% to 27.75% and was 3.78% on average). Councillors are responsible mostly for small infrastructure like trees, park benches, playgrounds, etc. Other functions are mostly advisory. Official list of districts

Szczecin's boroughs

Dzielnica Śródmieście (City Centre) Centrum, Drzetowo-Grabowo, Łękno, Międzyodrze-Wyspa Pucka, Niebuszewo-Bolinko, Nowe Miasto, Stare Miasto, Śródmieście Północ, Śródmieście-Zachód, Turzyn.

Dzielnica Północ (North) Bukowo, Golęcino-Gocław, Niebuszewo, Skolwin, Stołczyn, Warszewo, Żelechowa.

Dzielnica Zachód (West) Głębokie-Pilchowo, Gumieńce, Krzekowo-Bezrzecze, os.Arkońskie-Niemierzyn, Osów, Pogodno, Pomorzany, Świerczewo, os.Zawadzkiego-Klonowica.

Dzielnica Prawobrzeże (Right-Bank) Bukowe-Klęskowo, Dąbie, Majowe-Kijewo, Płonia-Śmierdnica-Jezierzyce, Podjuchy, os.Słoneczne, Wielgowo-Sławociesze, Załom, Zdroje, Żydowce-Klucz.

Other historical neigbourhoods

Babin, Barnucin, Basen Górniczy, Błędów, Boleszyce, Bystrzyk, Cieszyce, Cieśnik, Dolina, Drzetowo, Dunikowo, Glinki, Grabowo, Jezierzyce, Kaliny, Kępa Barnicka, Kijewko, Kluczewko, Kłobucko, Kniewo, Kraśnica, Krzekoszów, Lotnisko, Łasztownia, Niemierzyn, Odolany, Oleszna, Podbórz, Port, os.Przyjaźni, Rogatka, Rudnik, Sienna, Skoki, Słowieńsko, Sosnówko, Starków, Stoki, Struga, Śmierdnica, os.Świerczewskie, Trzebusz, Urok, Widok, Zdunowo.

Historical population

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  • 12th century: 5,000 inhabitants
  • 1709: 6,000 inhabitants
  • 1711: 4,000 inhabitants (Black Death)
  • 1720: 6,000 inhabitants
  • 1740: 12,300 inhabitants
  • 1816: 21,500 inhabitants
  • 1816: 26,000 inhabitants
  • 1843: 37,100 inhabitants
  • 1861: 58,500 inhabitants
  • 1872: 76,000 inhabitants
  • 1875: 80,972 inhabitants
  • 1890: 116,228 inhabitants
  • 1900: 210,680 inhabitants (including amalgated suburbs)
  • 1910: 236,113 inhabitants
  • 1939: 382,000 inhabitants
  • 1945: 260,000 inhabitants (majority of the German population fled or was expelled)
  • 1950: 180,000 inhabitants (drop due to continuing expulsions of Germans)
  • 1960: 269,400 inhabitants (arrival of Polish population from the Polish territories annexed by the Soviet Union)
  • 1970: 338,000 inhabitants
  • 1975: 369,700 inhabitants
  • 1980: 388,300 inhabitants
  • 1990: 412.600 inhabitants
  • 1995: 418.156 inhabitants
  • 2000: 415,748 inhabitants
  • 2002: 415,117 inhabitants
  • 2003: 414,032 inhabitants
  • 2004: 411,900 inhabitants
  • 2005: 411,119 inhabitants
  • 2007: 407,811 inhabitants

Members of European Parliament (MEPs) from Szczecin

Economy

PAZIM building
File:SZCZECINGALAXY.JPG
One of Szczecin's most important recent developments has been the Galaxy Centrum shopping center

Szczecin has three shipyards (Stocznia Remontowa Gryfia, Stocznia Pomerania, Stocznia Szczecińska), of which one is the biggest in Poland (Stocznia Szczecińska, which five years ago went bankrupt and was reinstated). It has a fishing industry and a steel mill. It is served by Szczecin-Goleniów "Solidarność" Airport and by the Port of Szczecin, third biggest port of Poland. It is also home to several major companies. Among them is the major food producer Drobimex, Polish Steamship Company, producer of construction materials Komfort, Bosman brewery and Cefarm drug factory. It also houses several of the new business firms in the IT sector.

Transportation

There is a popular public transit system operating throughout Szczecin including a bus network and electric trams.

The A6 motorway (recently upgraded) serves as the southern bypass of the city, and connects to the German A11 autobahn (portions of which are currently undergoing upgrade), from where one can reach Berlin in about 90 minutes (about 150 km). Road connections with the rest of Poland are of lower quality (no motorways), though the Express Road S3 that is currently under construction will begin to improve the situation after its stretch from Szczecin to Gorzów Wielkopolski is opened around 2010. Construction of Express Roads S6 and S10 which are to run east from Szczecin has also started, though these roads will not be fully completed until about 2015.

Szczecin has good railway connections with the rest of Poland, but it is connected by only two single track, non-electrified lines with Germany to the west (high quality double-track lines were degraded after 1945). Because of this, the rail connection between Berlin and Szczecin is much slower and less convenient than one would expect between two European cities of that size and proximity.

Szczecin is served by Szczecin-Goleniów "Solidarność" Airport which is 45 km northeast of the city.

Culture

Major cultural events in Szczecin are:

  • Days of the Sea (Polish Dni Morza) held every June.
  • Street Artists' Festival (Polish Festiwal Artystów Ulicy) held every July.
  • Days of The Ukrainian Culture (Polish Dni Kultury Ukraińskiej) held every May.
  • Air show on Dabie airport held every May.

Museums

  • National Museum in Szczecin (Polish Muzeum Narodowe w Szczecinie) collects arts, old jewelry, military equipment. It has three branches:
    • Museum of the City of Szczecin (Polish Muzeum Miasta Szczecina).
    • Maritime Museum (Polish Muzeum Morskie).
    • Gallery of Contemporary Arts (Polish Galeria Sztuki Współczesnej).
  • Museum of the Szczecin Archidiocese (Polish Muzeum Archidiecezjalne w Szczecinie) collects sacral arts and historical documents.
    • EUREKA - the miracles of science. EUREKA

Arts and entertainment

  • Bismarck tower Szczecin
  • Kana Theatre (Polish Teatr Kana)
  • Modern Theatre (Polish Teatr Współczesny)
  • Opera in the Castle (Polish Opera na Zamku)
  • Polish Theatre (Polish Teatr Polski)
  • (ruins of) The Quistorp's Tower (Polish Wieża Quistorpa, German Quistorpturm)
  • The Pomeranian Dukes' Castle in Szczecin (Polish Zamek Książąt Pomorskich w Szczecinie)
  • The Castle Cinema (Polish Kino Zamek)
  • The Cellar by the Vault Cabaret (Polish Kabaret Piwnica przy Krypcie)
  • The Crypt Theatre (Polish Teatr Krypta)

Education and science

Scientific and regional organizations

Sports

There are many popular professional sports team in Szczecin area. The most popular sport today is probably football (thanks to Pogoń Szczecin just promoted to play in the 1st league in season 2004/2005). Amateur sports are played by thousands of Szczecin citizens and also in schools of all levels (elementary, secondary, university).

Professional teams

Amateur leagues

Twin towns - Sister cities

The twin towns and sister cities of Szczecin are:

Famous residents

Before 1945

After 1945

Footnotes

  1. ^ Tadeusz Białecki, "Historia Szczecina" Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich, 1992 Wrocław. Pages 9,20-55, 92-95, 258-260, 300-306
  2. Słownik etymologiczny nazw geograficznych Polski Profesor Maria Malec PWN 2003
  3. Jan M Piskorski, Pommern im Wandel der Zeit, 1999, pp.31,32, ISBN 839061848
  4. Paul W. Knoll, Frank Schaer, annotaded Gesta Principum Polonorum: The Deeds of the Princes of the Poles by Gallus, Central European University Press, 2003, p.32, ISBN 9639241407
  5. ^ Malcolm Barber, "The two cities: medieval Europe, 1050-1320", Routledge, 2004, pg. 330
  6. Jean Richard, Jean Birrell, "The Crusades, c. 1071-c. 1291", Cambridge University Press, 1999, pg. 158,
  7. Jonathan Riley-Smith, "The Crusades: A History", Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005, pg. 130,
  8. Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.30, ISBN 3886802728
  9. Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.43, ISBN 3886802728
  10. ^ Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.34, ISBN 3886802728
  11. ^ Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.35, ISBN 3886802728
  12. Université de Caen. Centre de recherches archéologiques médiévales, Château-Gaillard: études de castellologie médiévale, XVIII : actes du colloque international tenu à Gilleleje, Danemark, 24-30 août 1996, CRAHM, 1998, p.218, ISBN 290268505
  13. Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.43ff, ISBN 3886802728
  14. Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.75, ISBN 3886802728
  15. Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.83, ISBN 3886802728
  16. Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.84, ISBN 3886802728
  17. Polonia szczecińska 1890-1939 Anna Poniatowska Bogusław Drewniak, Poznań 1961
  18. The Origins of the Final Solution Christopher R. Browning, Jürgen Matthäus page 64 University of Nebraska Press, 2007
  19. ^ Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.532, ISBN 3886802728
  20. Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.416, ISBN 3886802728
  21. ^ Werner Buchholz, Pommern, Siedler, 1999, p.534, ISBN 3886802728

See also

Publications

  • W. H. Meyer, Stettin in alter und neuer Zeit (Stettin, 1887)
  • Jan M. Piskorski, Bogdan Wachowiak, Edward Włodarczyk: A short history of Szczecin, Poznań 2002, ISBN 83-7063-332-3.

External links

A portal for Old Szczecin (Stettin) enthusiasts

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