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== History == == History ==
The first known mention of the name "Gdynia" was of a Pomerellian/ ] (]) fishing village, in ].(]), now part of Gdynia was mentioned even earlier in ]. The Latin description for this area is Gedani (Gedanum),where in ] AD ] was accompanied by soldiers of ] and where he baptized some Prussians. It is on the outskirts of the city of Gdansk (Danzig) and there the first church was built. In ] the owner of the village which became Gdynia, Peter from Rusocin, gave the village to the Cistercian Order, so in the years ]–] Gdynia belonged to the ] abbey in ]. In ] there were only 21 houses in the village. The first known mention of the name "Gdynia" was of a ] (]) fishing village, in ]. ], now part of Gdynia, was mentioned even earlier in ]. It was there that the first church on the Polish coast was built. In ] the owner of the village which became Gdynia, Peter from Rusocin, gave the village to the Cisterian Order, so in the years ]–] Gdynia belonged to the ] abbey in ]. In ] there were only 21 houses in the village.


The area of the later city of Gdynia in Pomerellia shared its history with (]); in prehistoric times it was the center of ]; it was later populated by ] and eventually ] with some ] influence. As a part of ], it was from its first conquest by ] circa ] sometimes under Polish rule until –]. In ]-] it was conquered by the ] (1309–]/66). Pomerellia-western Prussia became connected to the ] (]–]. At the ] of 1772 it was annexed into the ] (1772–]), and as part of Prussia became part of the ] (]–1920). The area of the later city of Gdynia shared its history with ]; in prehistoric times it was the center of ]; it was later populated by ] and eventually ] with some ] influence. As a part of ], it was a province of ] from circa ]–]. In ]-] it was conquered by the ] (1309–]/66), but afterwards became part of the ] (]–]. At the ] of 1772 it was annexed into the ] (1772–]), and as part of Prussia became part of the ] (]–1920).


In 1870 the village of Gdingen had some 1200 inhabitants, and it changed from a poor fishing village to a popular tourist spot with several guest houses, restaurants, cafes, several brick houses and a small harbour with a pier for small trading ships. The first ] mayor of Gdingen was ]. After the 1919 ], the town, now named Gdynia, with other parts of former Pomerellia- Westprussia (]) (or ]), became politically a forced part of the new Republic of Poland, while the centre of the region Danzig city and Danziger Landkreis, Danzig county surrounding area, which were declared the ] under the ] now were forced under partial control by Poland. In 1870 the village of Gdynia had some 1200 inhabitants, and it was not a poor fishing village as it is sometimes described. It was a popular tourist spot with several guest houses, restaurants, cafes, several brick houses and a small harbour with a pier for small trading ships. The first ] mayor of Gdynia was ]. After the 1919 ], the town, with other parts of former ] (or ]), was became part of the new Republic of Poland, while the centre of the region Gdańsk and surrounding area, which were declared the ] under the ] were only partially under Poland's control.


=== Construction of the Seaport === === Construction of the Seaport ===

Revision as of 10:25, 7 April 2006

Template:Infobox Poland Gdynia (pronounce: :gdiɲia, German: Gdingen/Gotenhafen, Kashubian/Pomeranian: Gdiniô) is a city in the Pomeranian Voivodship of Poland and an important seaport at Gdansk Bay on the south coast of the Baltic Sea.

Located in Kashubia in Eastern Pomerania, Gdynia is part of a conurbation with the spa town of Sopot, the city of Gdańsk (Danzig) and suburban communities, which together form a metropolitan area called the Tricity (Trójmiasto), with a population of over a million people.

History

The first known mention of the name "Gdynia" was of a Pomeranian (Kashubian) fishing village, in 1253. Oksywie, now part of Gdynia, was mentioned even earlier in 1209. It was there that the first church on the Polish coast was built. In 1380 the owner of the village which became Gdynia, Peter from Rusocin, gave the village to the Cisterian Order, so in the years 1382–1772 Gdynia belonged to the Cistercian abbey in Oliwa. In 1789 there were only 21 houses in the village.

The area of the later city of Gdynia shared its history with Eastern Pomerania; in prehistoric times it was the center of Oksywie culture; it was later populated by Goths and eventually Slavs with some Baltic Prussian influence. As a part of Pomerania, it was a province of Poland from circa 990–1308. In 1309-1310 it was conquered by the Teutonic Order (1309–1454/66), but afterwards became part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (1466–1772. At the Partitions of Poland of 1772 it was annexed into the Kingdom of Prussia (1772–1870), and as part of Prussia became part of the German Empire (1870–1920).

In 1870 the village of Gdynia had some 1200 inhabitants, and it was not a poor fishing village as it is sometimes described. It was a popular tourist spot with several guest houses, restaurants, cafes, several brick houses and a small harbour with a pier for small trading ships. The first Kashubian mayor of Gdynia was Jan Radtke. After the 1919 Treaty of Versailles, the town, with other parts of former Polish Pomerania (or Royal Prussia), was became part of the new Republic of Poland, while the centre of the region Gdańsk and surrounding area, which were declared the Free City of Danzig under the League of Nations were only partially under Poland's control.

Construction of the Seaport

The decision to build a major seaport at the Gdynia village was made by the Polish government in winter 1920, because of the hostile attitude of the Danzig (Gdańsk) authorities and the seaport workers towards Allied military supplies to Poland during the Polish-Soviet War (1919–1920). Construction of the seaport was started in 1921, but because of financial difficulties was conducted slowly and with interruptions. It was accelerated after the Sejm (Polish parliament) passed the Gdynia Seaport Construction Act on 23 September 1922. By 1923 a 550-metre pier, 175 metres of a wooden tide breaker, and a small harbour had been constructed. Ceremonial inauguration of Gdynia as a temporary military port and fishers' shelter took place on 23 April 1923, and the first major seagoing ship arrived on 13 August 1923.

To speed up the construction works, the Polish government in November 1924 signed a contract with the French-Polish Consortium for Gdynia Seaport Construction, which by the end of 1925 had built a small seven-metre-deep harbour, the south pier, part of the north pier, a railway, and had also ordered the trans-shipment equipment. The works were going more slowly than expected, however. They accelerated only after May 1926, because of an increase in Polish exports by sea, economic prosperity, the outbreak of the German–Polish trade war which reverted most Polish international trade to sea routes, and also thanks to the personal engagement of Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski, Polish Minister of Industry and Trade, also responsible for construction of Centralny Okręg Przemysłowy. Till the end of 1930 docks, piers, breakwaters and many auxiliary and industrial installations were constructed (such as depots, trans-shipment equipment, and a rice processing factory) or started (such as a large clod room).

Trans-shipments rose from 10,000 tons (1924) to 2,923,000 tons (1929). At this time Gdynia was the only transit and special seaport designed for coal exports. In the years 1931–1939 the Gdynia harbour was further extended to become a universal seaport. In 1938 Gdynia was the largest and most modern seaport on the Baltic Sea, as well as the tenth biggest in Europe. The trans-shipments rose to 8.7 million tons, which was 46% of Polish foreign trade. In 1938 the Gdynia shipyard started to build its first full-sea ship, the Olza.

Construction of the City

The city was constructed later that the seaport. In 1925 a special committee was inaugurated to build the city, in 1926 city expansion plans were designed, and city rights were granted, in 1927 tax privileges for investors granted. The city started to grow significantly after 1928 and the population grew rapidly to over 120,000 in 1939.

In 1930 the Baltic Institute in Toruń, institition designed to research the polish heritage in Pomerania, opened its branch in Gdynia.

Gdynia during World War II (1939–1945)

The city and seaport were occupied in September 1939 and renamed Gotenhafen after the Goths (even though the previous German name was Gdingen, which had no connection to the Goths). Some 50,000 of the Polish citizens were expelled to the General Gouvernment and their homes were seized by German settlers. The harbour was turned into a German navy base. The shipyard was extended in 1940 and turned into a branch of a Kiel shipyard (Deutsche Werke Kiel A.G.). It became a primary German naval base, and witnessed several air raids by the Allies from 1943 onwards, but suffered little damage. The seaport was largely destroyed by the withdrawing German troops in 1945 (90% of the buildings and equipment were destroyed) and the harbour entrance was blocked by the German battlecruiser Gneisenau.

The city was also the location for the Nazi concentration camp Gotenhafen, a subcamp of the Stutthof concentration camp.

Gdynia after World War II

On March 28, 1945 Gdynia was captured by the Soviets and assigned to Polish Gdansk Voivodship.

In the Polish 1970 protests, worker demonstrations took place at Gdynia Shipyard. Workers were fired upon by the police. The fallen became symbolized by a fictitious worker Janek Wiśniewski, commemorated in a song by Mieczysław Cholewa, Pieśń o Janku z Gdyni. One of Gdynia's important streets is named after Janek Wiśniewski. The same person was portrayed by Andrzej Wajda in his movie Man of Iron as Mateusz Birkut.

Economy

Notable companies that have their headquarters in Gdynia:

Port of Gdynia

Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Races 2003; Stad Amsterdam, Dar Młodzieży and Dar Pomorza.
  • Official name:PORT OF GDYNIA AUTHORITY
  • Trans-shipments:
    • 1924 10,000 tons
    • 1929 2,923,000 tons
    • 1938 8,700,000 tons
    • 2002 9,365,200 tons
      • Containers 252,247 TEU (#2 on the Baltic Sea)
      • Passengers 364,202
See also: Ports of the Baltic Sea

Education

Marina in Gdynia View from Kamienna Gora

There are currently 7 universities and institutions of higher education based in Gdynia. Many students from Gdynia attend also universities located in the Tricity.

  • State-owned:
  • Privately-owned:
    • University of Business and Administration - 1,418 students
    • University of International Relations - 86 students
    • Humanistic University of Pomerania - 38 students
    • Cardinal Wyszynski University a department - 219 students
    • Pomorska Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczna
    • Wyższa Szkoła Administracji i Biznesu im. Eugeniusza Kwiatkowskiego
    • Wyższa Szkoła Komunikacji Społecznej
    • Wyższa Szkoła Międzynarodowych Stosunków Gospodarczych i Politycznych
See also: Education in Gdynia

Sports

There are many popular professional sports teams in Gdynia and Tricity area. Amateur sports are played by thousands of Gdynia’s citizens, as well as in schools and universities.

Sports in Gdynia

Arka Gdynia, Polish football club
Arka Gdynia, Polish football club

Sports in Tricity

Politics

Gdynia/Słupsk constituency

Members of Parliament (Sejm) elected from Gdynia/Slupsk constituency

Sights and tourist attractions

Gdynia is a relatively modern city and one will not find many historical buildings. The oldest building in Gdynia is 13th century St. Michael Archangel's Church in Oksywie. There is also a 17th century neo-Gothic manor house located in the Folwarczna Street in Orłowo. However, what most tourists look for Gdynia deals with its recent past. In the harbour there two museum ships are anchored, the ORP Blyskawica destroyer and the Dar Pomorza Tall Ship frigate. Gdynia is also famous for its numerous examples of early 20th century architecture, especially monumentalism and early functionalism. Recently reconstructed Świętojańska street and Kościuszki square are also worth mentioning. The surrounding hills and the coastline attract many nature lovers. Leisure pier and cliff-like coastline in Kępa Redłowska as well as the surrounding Reservation Park are also popular. 1.5 kilometres long promenade leads from the marina in the city centre to the beach in Redłowo. Most of Gdynia can be seen from Kamienna Góra (54 metres asl) or a newly built observation point near Chwaszczyno. You can also take hydrofoil or ship trip to Gdansk Westerplatte, Hel or just see port.

Modern division into neighbourhoods

Steam train "Costerina" Gdynia - Kościerzyna
  • Babie Doły
  • Chwarzno Wiczlino
  • Chylonia
  • Cisowa
  • Działki Leśne
  • Dąbrowa
  • Grabówek
  • Kamienna Góra
  • Karwiny
  • Leszczynki
  • Mały Kack
  • Obłuże
  • Oksywie
  • Orłowo
  • Pogórze
  • Port
  • Pustki Cisowskie-Demptowo
  • Redłowo
  • Śródmieście
  • Wielki Kack
  • Witomino Leśniczówka
  • Witomino Radiostacja
  • Wzgórze Św. Maksymiliana

Population and area

Coastline in Gdynia Orlowo
Year Inhabitants Area
1870 1200
1920 1300
1926 12,000 6 km
1939 127,000 66 km
1960 150,200 73 km
1970 191,500 75 km
1975 221,100 134 km
1980 236,400 134 km
1990 251,500 136 km
1994 252,000 136 km
1995 251,400 136 km
2000 255,420 135.49 km (after GUS - Central Statistical Office in Warsaw)
2003 251,000 136 km

See also

Further reading

  • (ed.) R. Wapiński, Dzieje Gdyni, Gdańsk 1980
  • (ed.). S. Gierszewski, Gdynia, Gdańsk 1968
  • Gdynia, in: Pomorze Gdańskie, nr 5, Gdańsk 1968
  • J. Borowik, Gdynia, port Rzeczypospolitej, Toruń 1934
  • B. Kasprowicz, Problemy ekonomiczne budowy i eksploatacji portu w Gdyni w latach 1920-1939, Zapiski Historyczne, nr 1-3/1956
  • M. Widernik, Główne problemy gospodarczo-społeczne miasta Gdyni w latach 1926-1939., Gdańsk 1970
  • (ed.) A. Bukowski, Gdynia. Sylwetki ludzi, oświata i nauka, literatura i kultura, Gdańsk 1979
  • Gminy województwa gdańskiego, Gdańsk 1995
  • H. Górnowicz, Z. Brocki, Nazwy miast Pomorza Gdańskiego, Wrocław 1978
  • Gerard Labuda (ed.), Historia Pomorza, vol. I-IV, Poznań 1969-2003
  • (ed.) W. Odyniec, Dzieje Pomorza Nadwiślańskiego od VII wieku do 1945 roku, Gdańsk 1978
  • L. Bądkowski, Pomorska myśl polityczna, Gdańsk 1990
  • L. Bądkowski, W. Samp, Poczet książąt Pomorza Gdańskiego, Gdańsk 1974
  • B. Śliwiński, Poczet książąt gdańskich, Gdańsk 1997
  • Józef Spors, Podziały administracyjne Pomorza Gdańskiego i Sławieńsko-Słupskiego od XII do początków XIV w, Słupsk 1983
  • M. Latoszek, Pomorze. Zagadnienia etniczno-regionalne, Gdańsk 1996
  • B. Bojarska, Eksterminacja inteligencji polskiej na Pomorzu Gdańskim (wrzesień-grudzień 1939), Poznań 1972
  • K. Ciechanowski, Ruch oporu na Pomorzu Gdańskim 1939-1945., Warszawa 1972

External links


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