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{{Short description|City in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland}}
{{For|the strategically important area that lies between Poland, Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad exclave|Suwałki Gap}}
{{Infobox settlement {{Infobox settlement
| name = Suwałki | name = Suwałki
| image_skyline = | image_skyline = {{multiple image
| imagesize = 250px | border = infobox
| total_width = 270
| image_caption = Aerial view of Suwałki
| image_style = border:1;
| perrow = 1/2
| image1 = Saint Alexander church in Suwałki.jpg{{!}}Saint Alexander Co-Cathedral
| image2 = Mickiewicza Street in Suwałki.jpg{{!}}Mickiewicza Street and Sacred Heart of Jesus church
| image3 = Park of the 3rd May Constitution in Suwałki (1).jpg{{!}}Park of the Constitution of 3 May
}}
| image_caption = {{hlist|From top, left to right: Saint Alexander Co-Cathedral|Mickiewicza Street and Sacred Heart of Jesus church|Park of the Constitution of 3 May}}
| image_flag = POL Suwałki flag.svg
| image_shield = POL Suwałki COA.svg | image_shield = POL Suwałki COA.svg
| pushpin_map = Poland | pushpin_map = Poland
| pushpin_label_position = bottom | pushpin_label_position =
| subdivision_type = ]
| coordinates_region = PL
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{POL}} | subdivision_name = {{POL}}
| subdivision_type1 = ] | subdivision_type1 = ]
| subdivision_name1 = ] | subdivision_name1 = ]
| subdivision_type2 = ] | subdivision_type2 = ]
| subdivision_name2 = ''city county'' | subdivision_name2 = ''city county''
| leader_title = Mayor | leader_title = City mayor
| leader_name = Józef Gajewski | leader_name = Czesław Renkiewicz
| established_title = Established | established_title = Established
| established_date = 1690 | established_date = 1690
| established_title3 = Town rights | established_title3 = City rights
| established_date3 = 1720 | established_date3 = 1720
| area_total_km2 = 65.24 | area_total_km2 = 65.24
| population_as_of = 2008 | population_as_of = 31 December 2021
| population_total = 69206 {{decrease}}<ref name="population">{{cite web|url=https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/bdl/dane/teryt/jednostka|title=Local Data Bank|access-date= 15 August 2022|publisher=Statistics Poland}} Data for territorial unit 2063000.</ref>
| population_total = 69340
| population_density_km2 = auto | population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone = ] | timezone = ]
Line 28: Line 37:
| timezone_DST = ] | timezone_DST = ]
| utc_offset_DST = +2 | utc_offset_DST = +2
| coordinates = {{coord|54|05|56|N|22|55|43|E|region:PL_type:city|display=title,inline}}
| latd = 54 | latm = 5 | lats = | latNS = N | longd = 22 | longm = 56 | longs = | longEW = E
| elevation_m = 170 | elevation_m = 170
| postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 16-400 to 16-403 | postal_code = 16-400 to 16-403
| area_code = +48 087 | area_code = +48 87
| blank_name = ] | blank_name = ]
| blank_info = BS | blank_info = BS
| website = http://www.um.suwalki.pl/ }} | website = http://www.um.suwalki.pl/
| module = {{Infobox mapframe|wikidata=yes|zoom=10|marker=village|coord={{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}}
}}
'''Suwałki''' {{IPAc-pl|AUD|PL-Suwalki.ogg|s|u|'|w|a|U|k|i}} {{lang-lt|Suvalkai}}, {{lang-de|Suwalken}}, 1941–1944 ''Sudauen'', is a town in northeastern ] with 69,340 inhabitants (2008). The ] river flows through the town. It is the capital of ] and one of the most important centres of commerce in the ]{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}}. Until 1999 the town was the capital of ]. Suwałki is located about 30&nbsp;km from the southwestern ]n border. The town gives its name to the Polish ] known as ].

'''Suwałki''' ({{IPAc-pl|AUD|Pl-Suwałki.ogg|s|u|'|w|a|U|k|J|i}}; {{langx|lt|Suvalkai}}; {{langx|yi|סואוואַלק}} or סוּוואַלק) is a city in northeastern ] with a population of 69,206 (2021).<ref name="population" /> It is the capital of ] and one of the most important centers of ] in the ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sztetl.org.pl/en/article/suwalki/3,local-history/ |title=Local history – Information about the town – Suwałki |work=Virtual Shtetl |access-date=2016-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010213616/http://www.sztetl.org.pl/en/article/suwalki/3,local-history/ |archive-date=2016-10-10 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Suwałki is the largest city and the capital of the historical ]. Until 1999 it was the capital of ]. Suwałki is located about {{cvt|30|km|0|abbr=off}} from the southwestern ]n border and gives its name to the Polish ] known as ]. The ] river flows through the city.

==Etymology==
The name derives from ] ''su-'' (near) and ''valka'' (creek, marsh), with the combined meaning "place near a small river or swampy area".<ref>{{cite journal |title=Suwałki – pochodzenie i znaczenie nazwy |trans-title=Suwałki – the origin and meaning of the name |author=Tadeusz Zdancewicz |url=https://etalpykla.lituanistikadb.lt/object/LT-LDB-0001:J.04~2005~1367171633112/ |year=2005 |journal=Acta Baltico-Slavica |issue=29 |pages=9–37 |issn=0065-1044 |access-date=2021-11-20 |archive-date=2021-11-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120202506/https://etalpykla.lituanistikadb.lt/object/LT-LDB-0001:J.04~2005~1367171633112/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==History== ==History==
] ]]] ] ]]]{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2024}}
The area of Suwałki had been populated by local ] and ] tribes since the early ]. However, with the arrival of the ] to ], their lands were conquered and remained largely depopulated in the following centuries.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}


===17th century===
The area of Suwałki had been populated by local ] and ] tribes since the early ]. However, with the arrival of the ] to ], their lands were conquered and remained largely depopulated in the following centuries. The village was founded by ], who in 1667 were granted the area surrounding the future city by the ] and the ] ]. Soon afterwards the monastic order built its headquarters in ], where a ] and a ] were built. The new owners of the area started fast economic exploitation and development of the ]s and brought enough settlers (mainly from over-populated ]) to build several new villages in the area. Also, production of wood, ], ] and ] was started.
The village was founded by ], who in 1667 were granted the area surrounding the future town by the ] and the ] ]. Soon afterwards the monastic order built its headquarters in ], where a ] and a ] were built.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}


The new owners of the area started rapid economic exploitation and development of the ]s; they brought{{Citation needed|date=November 2019}} enough settlers (mainly{{Citation needed|date=November 2019}} from an overpopulated ]) to build several new villages in the area. Also, production of wood, ], ] and ] was started. The village was first mentioned in 1688; two years later it was reported to have just two houses.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
]
The village was first mentioned in 1688; two years later it was reported to have two houses. However, the growth of the village was fast and by 1700 it was split onto Małe Suwałki and Wielkie Suwałki (Lesser and Greater Suwałki). The village was located almost exactly in the centre of Camadolese estates and it was located on the main trade route linking ] and ] with ]. In 1710 King ] granted the village a privilege to organize fairs and markets. Five years later, in 1715, the village was granted ] by the grand master of the order, Ildefons. The town was divided into 300 lots for future houses and its inhabitants were granted civil rights and exempted from taxes for seven years. In addition, the town was granted with 18.03 square kilometers of forest that was to be turned into ]. On May 2, 1720, the city rights were approved by King August II, and the town was allowed to organize one fair a week and four markets a year. In addition, a ] was approved, depicting ] and ].


===18th century===
After the ] in 1794 the area was annexed by ]. In 1796 the monastery in Wigry was closed and its property confiscated by the ] government. The following year a seat of local '']'' authorities was moved to the town, as well as a military garrison. By the end of 18th century, Suwałki had 1,184 inhabitants and 216 houses. A large part of them were ].
]
However, the growth of the village was fast and by 1700 it was split into Lesser and Greater Suwałki. The village was located almost exactly in the center of Camaldolese estates and lay on the main trade route linking ] and ] with ].{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}


In 1710 King ] granted the village a privilege to organize fairs and markets. Five years later, in 1715, the village was granted ] by the grand master of the order, Ildefons. The town was divided into 300 lots for future houses and its inhabitants were granted civil rights and exempted from taxes for seven years. In addition, the town was granted {{cvt|18.03|km2|2|abbr=out}} of forest that was to be turned into ]. On May 2, 1720, the town rights were approved by King August II, and the town was allowed to organize one fair a week and four markets a year. In addition, a ] was approved, depicting ] and ].{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
In 1807 Suwałki became part of the newly-formed ] and became one of the centers of the department of ]. After the defeat of ] and the ], the area was incorporated into the ]. The status of a '']'' capital was briefly withdrawn, but it was re-introduced on January 16, 1816, when the ] was created and its government was gradually moved to Suwałki. Soon afterwards the older city hall was demolished and replaced with a new one, and General ] financed the paving of most of the city's streets. The cemetery was moved to the outskirts from the town center, and that area became a city park. Also, the Russian authorities built the ], which added to the city's prosperity.


After the ] in 1795, the area was annexed by ]. In 1796 the monastery in Wigry was dissolved and its property confiscated by the ] government. The following year a seat of local '']'' authorities was moved to the town, as well as a military garrison. By the end of the 18th century, Suwałki had 1,184 inhabitants and 216 houses. A large part of the population was ].{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
]
In 1820 a new church was built and the following year the first ] was opened. In 1829 a permanent ] was opened in Suwałki. Between 1806 and 1827 the town's population almost tripled and reached 3,753 people living in 357 houses. During the ] of 1831 the town's population took part in the struggles against Russia, but the city was pacified by the Russian army on February 11, 1830. In 1835 the government of ] ] decided not to move the capital of the voivodeship to ]. Two years later the ] were renamed to ]s and the town became the capital of the ].


===19th century===
In 1826 an investment plan was passed and new buildings were started by the Russian authorities. In 1835 a ] station was built, in 1844 a new town hall and Orthodox and ] churches were completed. Soon afterwards a new marketplace was opened, as well as St. Peter's and Paul's hospital and a ]. In addition, between 1840 and 1849 the main ] church was refurbished by many of Poland's most notable architects of the era, including ], ] and ]. To change the city's architecture and break with its rural past, the city council passed a decree banning the construction of new wooden houses in 1847.
]
In 1807 Suwałki became a salient of the newly formed ] and one of the centres of the ]. After the defeat of ] and the ], the area was incorporated into the ] ("Russian Poland"), as a part of the ] (Russian partition). The status of a '']'' capital was briefly withdrawn, but it was reintroduced on January 16, 1816, when the ] was created and its government was gradually moved to Suwałki. Soon afterwards the older town hall was demolished and replaced with a new one, and General ] financed the paving of most of the town's streets. The cemetery was moved to the outskirts from the town centre, and that area became a town park. Also, the Russian authorities built the ], which added to the town's prosperity.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}


In 1820 a new church was built. In 1821 the first ] was opened. In 1829 a permanent ] was opened in Suwałki. Between 1806 and 1827 the town's population almost tripled and reached 3,753 people living in 357 houses. During the ] of 1831, the town's population took part in the struggles against Russia, but the town was pacified by the Russian army on February 11, 1830. In 1835 the government of ] ] decided not to move the capital of the voivodeship to ]. Two years later the ] were re-designated as ]s, and the town became the capital of the ].{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
The city's population continued to grow rapidly. In 1857 it had 11,273 inhabitants and in 1872 almost 20,000. Newly-built factories needed workers and these were brought from all over the world. Because of that, the mixed Lithuania-Polish-Jewish population was soon joined by people of almost all denominations that worshiped in the ]. Soon the city became the fourth most populous town in the ]. After the ] of 1863, the new administrational reform was passed to unify the Polish lands with Russia completely. In 1866 the '']'' of Augustów was finally renamed to ''Suwałki Gubernia''. However, the newly-built Warsaw-Petersburg rail road passed by Suwałki and the town's prosperity diminished. It was not until the early 20th century, when the arrival of a new Russian army ]s brought the economy back on track. Also a railroad line linking Suwałki with ] was finally completed.


{{multiple image|caption_align=center|direction=horizontal|header=|header_background=
]
| total_width = 365
After the spring of 1905, when the Russians were forced to accept a limited liberalisation, the period of Polish cultural revival started. Although the ] was still banned from official use, new Polish schools were opened, as well as a Polish-language '']'' weekly and a library. After the ] broke out, heavy fights for the area erupted. Finally in 1915, the Germans broke the Russian front and Suwałki was put under German occupation. The town and surrounding areas were detached from the rest of the Polish lands and were directly administered by the German military commander of the ]. Severe laws imposed by the German military command and the tragic economic situation of the civilians led to the creation of various secret social organisations. Finally, in 1917, local branches of the ] were created.
| image1 = Muzeum im. Marii Konopnickiej w Suwałkach (1).jpg
| image2 = Suwałki ul. Kościuszki 16 (4).JPG
| caption1 = Childhood home of poet ] (1842–1910)
| caption2 = Childhood home of painter ] (1849–1915)
}}
In 1826 the Russians passed an investment plan and authorities initiated the construction of new public buildings. In 1835 a ] station was built, in 1844 a new town hall and Orthodox and ] churches were completed. Soon afterwards a new marketplace was opened, as well as St. Peter's and Paul's hospital and a ]. In addition, between 1840 and 1849 the main ] church was refurbished by many of Poland's most notable architects of the era, including ], ] and ]. To change the town's architecture and break with its rural past, in 1847 the town council passed a decree banning the construction of new wooden houses.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}


]
After the collapse of the ] in November 1918, the local commander of the Ober-Ost signed an agreement with the ] and ''de facto'' allowed for the region to be incorporated into Poland. However, the German army remained in the area and continued its economic exploitation. In February 1919 the local inhabitants took part in the first free elections to the Polish ], but soon afterwards the German commanders changed their mind and expelled the Polish military units from the area and in May passed it to Lithuanian authority. By the end of July the ] granted the city to Poland and the Lithuanians withdrew from the city, but some of the Polish-inhabited lands were left on the Lithuanian side of the border while several Lithuanian villages were left on the Polish side of the so-called ]. This led to the outbreak of the ] on August 23, 1919. To secure the city, the following day the first regular units of the ] entered Suwałki. A short ] erupted and for several days limited fights were fought for the control over Suwałki, ] and other towns in the area. The war ended on the insistence of the ] in mid-September (] in early October). During the ] the city was captured by the ] and after the ] it was again passed to the Lithuanians, but it was retaken by the Polish Army with negligible losses soon afterwards.
The town's population continued to grow rapidly. In 1857 it had 11,273 inhabitants and in 1872 almost 20,000. Newly built factories needed workers and these were brought from workers recruited widely in Europe. The mixed Polish-Jewish-Lithuanian population was soon joined by people of almost all denominations that worshipped in the ].{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}


Soon Suwałki became the fourth-most populous town in Congress Poland. After the ] of 1863, administration reform was passed to unify the Polish lands with Russia completely. In 1866 the '']'' of Augustów was renamed to ''Suwałki Gubernia''. However, the route of the newly built Saint Petersburg-Warsaw railway bypassed Suwałki, adversely affecting its prosperity. It was not until the early 20th century that the establishment of a new Russian army ] revived the economy. Also, a railway line linking Suwałki with ] was finally completed.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
In the ] Suwałki became an autonomous town within the ]. This led to yet another period of prosperity, with the city's population rising from 16,780 in 1921 to almost 25,000 in 1935. The main source of income shifted from agriculture to trade and commerce. Also, in 1931 the new ] and a ] were built. Also, Suwałki continued to serve as one of the biggest garrisons in Poland, with two regiments of the ] and almost an entire ] stationed there. Since 1928 Suwałki was also the headquarters of one of the ]s of the ].


===20th century to present===
]s. Background wall (amid trees) consists of gravestones and fragments.]]
]
During the later stages of the ] of 1939 the town was briefly captured by the ]. However, on October 12 of the same year the ]s withdrew and transferred the area to the Germans, in accordance with the ]. The town was renamed to '''Sudauen''' and incorporated directly into the ]'s ]. Severe laws and terror that erupted led to the creation of several resistance organisations. Although most of them were at first destroyed by the ], by 1942 the area had one of the strongest ] and ] networks. Despite the resistance, almost all of the city's once 7,000-strong Jewish community was murdered in ]. Also, in Suwałki's suburb of ] a ] for almost 120,000 Soviet ] was established. On October 23, 1944, the city was captured by the forces of the Soviet ]. The fights for the city and its surroundings lasted for several days and took the lives of almost 5,000 Soviet soldiers. The anti-Soviet resistance of former ] members lasted in the forests surrounding the city until the early 1950s.


After the spring of 1905, when the Russians were forced to accept a limited liberalization, the period of Polish cultural revival started. Although the ] was still banned from official use, new Polish schools were opened, as well as a Polish-language ''Tygodnik Suwalski'' weekly and a library. After ] broke out, heavy fights for the area erupted. Finally in 1915, the Germans broke the Russian front and Suwałki was under German occupation. The town and surrounding areas were detached from the rest of the Polish lands and were directly administered by the German military commander of the ]. Severe laws imposed by the German military command and the tragic economic situation of the civilians led to the creation of various secret social organisations. Finally, in 1917, local branches of the ] were created.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
After the war, Suwałki remained a capital of the '']''. However, the heavily-damaged town recovered very slowly and the ] economic system could not help the city's problems. This period came to an end in 1975, when a new administrative reform was passed and Suwałki yet again became the capital of a separate ]. The number of inhabitants rose rapidly and by the end of the 1970s it was over 36,000. Large factories were built in the city and it became one of the important industrial and commercial centres of Eastern Poland.


After the collapse of the ] in November 1918, the local commander of the Ober-Ost signed an agreement with the Temporary Council of the Suwałki Region and ''de facto'' allowed for the region to be incorporated into Poland. However, the German army remained in the area and continued its economic exploitation. In February 1919 the local inhabitants took part in the first free elections to the Polish ], but soon afterwards the German commanders changed their mind. They expelled the Polish military units from the area and in May passed the territory to Lithuanian authority.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}
After the peaceful dissolution of the Communist system in Poland in 1989 the city experienced a period of economic difficulties. Most of the city's major factories were inefficient and went bankrupt. However, the creation of the Suwałki ] and the proximity of the Russian and Lithuanian borders opened new possibilities for the local trade and commerce. In addition, the ecologically clean region started to attract many tourists from all around the world.

]

====Independent Poland====
By the end of July 1919, the ] granted the town to Poland. As the ] was disapproved of by the Polish government, it organised the ] on August 23, 1919. The ] erupted and for several days fighting for control over Suwałki, ] and other towns in the area took place. The war ended on the insistence of the ] in mid-September.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}} ] in early October. During the ], the town was captured by the ]s and, after the ], it was again passed to the Lithuanians. It was retaken by the ].{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

In the ] period, Suwałki became an autonomous town within the ]. This resulted in another period of prosperity, with the town's population rising from 16,780 in 1921 to almost 25,000 in 1935.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The main source of income shifted from agriculture to trade and commerce. Also, in 1931 the new ] and a ] were built. Also, Suwałki continued to serve as one of the biggest garrisons in Poland, with two regiments of the ] and almost an entire Suwałki Cavalry Brigade stationed there. Beginning in 1928, Suwałki was established as the headquarters of one of the ]s of the ].{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}

====Second World War====
] destruction in Suwałki, although the destruction was quite minor]]
During the later stages of the ] of 1939, the town was briefly captured by the ]. However, on October 12 of the same year, the ]s withdrew and transferred the area to the Germans, in accordance with the ].{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The city was renamed ''Sudauen'' and annexed directly into ]'s province of ]. Germans carried out mass arrests of Poles as part of '']'' in the fall of 1939 and spring of 1940.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wardzyńska|first=Maria|year=2009|title=Był rok 1939. Operacja niemieckiej policji bezpieczeństwa w Polsce. Intelligenzaktion|language=pl|location=Warsaw|publisher=]|page=234}}</ref> Arrested Poles were deported to a transit camp in ] or murdered on the spot.<ref>Wardzyńska, p. 234-235</ref> Nazi German severe laws and terrorism led to the creation of several resistance organisations in response. Although most initially destroyed by the ], by 1942 the area had one of the strongest ] and ] networks. In the Szwajcaria district there are mass graves of members of the ] murdered by the Germans on April 26, 1940 and April 1, 1944.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
{{multiple image|caption_align=center|direction=horizontal|width=180
| image1 = Pomnik Straceń w Suwałkach (2022 r.).jpg
| image2 = Cmentarz Żydowski w Suwałkach (37).JPG
| caption1 = Memorial at the site of a German execution of 16 Poles carried out on April 1, 1944.
| caption2 = Memorial at the site of Suwałki Jewish Cemetery desecrated and destroyed by Nazi Germany. Only fragments of gravestones remain today.
}}

Despite the resistance, almost all of the town's once 7,000-strong Jewish community was deported and murdered, beginning in December 1939, when German troops brought the elderly, sick, and disabled into a nearby forest and machine-gunned them en masse. The Germans, with help from local collaborators, deported the community's surviving Jews to ghettos in other towns. Nearly all either perished there or were murdered in ]. The occupying Germans also systematically destroyed all traces of Jewish history and culture in the town, demolishing synagogues and desecrating Suwałki's Jewish cemetery, where a memorial and wall of gravestone fragments stand today.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Also, in Suwałki's suburb of ], the Germans established the ] ] for almost 120,000 ].{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

On October 23, 1944, the town was captured by the forces of the Soviet ]. The fights for the town and its environs lasted for several days and took the lives of almost 5,000 Soviet soldiers before they defeated the Germans. The anti-Soviet resistance of former ] members lasted in the forests surrounding the town until the early 1950s.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Suwałki did not suffer much damage during World War II, most of the historic buildings survived the war, and the damage to the city was estimated at only 5-10%, which was quickly rebuilt.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

====Polish People's Republic====
The apparatus subordinate to the ] took power in Suwałki without major problems.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Immediately after the city's liberation by units of the Red Army, on October 23, 1944, Stanisław Łapot, a member of the former Communist Party of Poland, one of the organizers of the ] in ], came from Sejny to Suwałki. He was accompanied by several officials previously organized in Sejny with the deputy head Edmund Przybylski, as well as Tadeusz Sobolewski - the president of the interim ] Council.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} On the same day, at Mickiewicz Square, supposedly spontaneously organized, so with the participation of new authorities and over five thousand inhabitants of the city, and then in the "Rusałka" cinema hall a meeting of representatives of the population with the envoys of the Polish Committee of National Rebirth.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Actions aimed at organizing the Suwałki authorities were taken shortly after the liberation. The ] handed over the power in the city to the temporary mayor Tadeusz Sobolewski on October 24, 1944.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} The commissariat of Suwałki was established. In turn, on November 7, a conference of representatives of provincial authorities with local authorities was held.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} As agreed, the first meeting of the Suwałki City Council took place the next day. On November 20, 1944, the board decided to locate its office in a private, Jewish building, partly abandoned, at 62/64 Kościuszki street, as the town hall building was severely damaged.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://wkusuwalki.wp.mil.pl/pl/pages/tradycje-2019-02-06-7/ |title=Historia Wojskowej Komendy Uzupełnień w Suwałkach |work=WKUSuwalki.wp.mil.pl |access-date=2020-07-03 |archive-date=2019-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518180856/https://wkusuwalki.wp.mil.pl/pl/pages/tradycje-2019-02-06-7/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In December 1944, the City Board did not gather, and its functions were performed by Sobolewski.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
]
The transitional state in the organization and functioning of the Suwałki authorities was properly completed in January 1945. Most probably then or at the beginning of February, the ] S. Łapot issued an oral but very important order to subordinate Suwałki to the administration of the ] level.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} In this way, he deprived them of the status they had until September 1939, a city separated from the poviat municipal association.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Over the next few years, this matter was dealt with by various authorities, from municipal to central. This controversial problem appeared on March 27, 1945, on the initiative of the mayor Sobolewski, at the third meeting of the City National Council. The governor Wacław Kraśko, who was present at it, was rather reluctant to propose separating the city from the poviat and pointed to the need to improve, first and foremost, the situation and condition of municipal enterprises. The Council decided to postpone the case.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Another politician calling for restoring Suwałki to the legal status of before September 1, 1939 was mayor Wacław Rudzki.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} At the Municipal National Council meeting on March 25, 1946, he submitted the first motion to separate the city from the poviat, which was motivated by prestigious, historical and financial considerations. The Council shared the submitted arguments and decided, through the Poviat National Council, to apply to the Voivodeship National Council in Bialystok with a request to include the city separated from poviat self-government associations. Much more radical decisions, undoubtedly also under the influence of W. Rudzki, MRN made at its meeting on May 27, 1946. She decided that the rescript of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of December 1919 about the separation of Suwałki from the poviat remains in force, therefore she is the council of the separated city and reports to the Provincial National Council in Bialystok. The Council also elected, without discussion and by acclamation, the incumbent mayor of the city, Rudzki.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

After this revolt, the reaction of the superior authorities was swift. Already in mid-June 1946, the voivode demanded that the chairman of the Suwałki Poviat Department (]) suspend the implementation of the Municipal National Council resolutions of 27 May, while informing that in the matter of restoring Suwałki's rights as a separate city, he turned to the Ministry of Public Administration. And indeed the voivode, writing favorably about Suwałki, their development and the achievements of the authorities, mainly Rudzki, asked the ministry for guidelines and a suggestion of a positive resolution of the case, although the relevant regulations did not allow it, mainly because the number of inhabitants of the city did not reach 25,000. After the lapse of the month, Rudzki not only did not become president, but also resigned from the position of mayor.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Nevertheless, on July 25, 1946, the MRN decided to send a delegation of councilors composed of Leon Bracławski, Józef Wiszniewski and Antoni Zalewski to the Ministry of the Interior to support current activities and accelerate the restoration of Suwałki's rights of a separated city.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Following the end of the war and the establishment of a communist regime, the new authorities of Poland began establishing territorial branches of the security services, most notably the ], in the whole country and in Suwałki as well: The seat of the PUBP was located at 5 Kościuszki street in 1944, and at the same year it was transferred to building no. 78 in the same street where it was located up until 1956.{{sfn|Zwolski|2013|p=256-257}}

After the war, Suwałki was retained as the capital of the '']''. However, the heavily damaged town recovered very slowly, and the ] economic system could not support the reinvestment needed. In 1975 ]: Suwałki was designated as the capital of a separate ]. The number of inhabitants rose rapidly, and by the end of the 1970s, the population was over 36,000. Large factories were built in the town, and it became one of the important industrial and commercial centres of Eastern Poland.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

====Martial law====
During the period of ] and rise of ] in the early 1980s, Solidarność demanded that the buildings of the Polish United Workers' Party and the Citizens' Militia be handed over to be used for social infrastructure, primarily schools, kindergartens and hospitals. This position was taken by the Inter-Enterprise Founding Committee of the Solidarity Independent Trade Union in Giżycko and Suwałki in regards to the party complex in 83 Noniewicza street. The first round of talks on this matter with representatives of authorities (including central authorities) took place on January 28, 1981. Solidarność emphasized that the new buildings could be turned into medical clinics, a community center for youth and a music school. It strengthened its position with over 18 thousand signatures from the inhabitants of the region. No agreement was reached, because the authorities did not want to hand over the building.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://wspolczesna.pl/partia-nie-chciala-oddac/ar/5635438 |title=Partia nie chciała oddać |date=14 March 2008 |access-date=2020-07-03 |archive-date=2020-07-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703193315/https://wspolczesna.pl/partia-nie-chciala-oddac/ar/5635438 |url-status=live }}</ref> Before the next round of talks on the night of February 14–15, under the cover of the Citizens' Militia and Security Service, the PZPR KW was moved to new buildings. This action caused widespread indignation in the whole province, not only among the members of Solidarity.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Following the ], Suwałki had a difficult period in transitioning to a new economic system. Most of the town's major factories were inefficient and went bankrupt. Creation of the Suwałki ] and the proximity of the Russian and Lithuanian borders opened new possibilities for local trade and commerce. In addition, the region began to attract many tourists from all around the world. In the 21st century, residents of Suwałki frequently travel across the Russian and Lithuanian borders for shopping trips as well as to make use of the various attractions both countries offer.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

To the ] of NATO, an area of the ] area is known as the ] because it represents a military difficulty. It is a flat narrow piece of land, a ], that is between ] and Russia's ] exclave and that connects the three NATO-member ] to Poland and the rest of ].{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

==Demographics==
{|
| valign = top|
2002 – 68,923 inhabitants,<br/>by nationality:<ref>{{cite web |title=(Polish Census of 2002) Deklaracje narodowościowe w gminach w 2002 roku |url=http://old.stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xbcr/gus/nsp2002_tabl4.xls |website=old.stat.gov.pl |access-date=30 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701232900/http://old.stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xbcr/gus/nsp2002_tabl4.xls |archive-date=1 July 2014 |language=pl}}</ref>
*Poles – 98.0% (67,556);
*Lithuanians – 0.5% (326);
*Romani people – 0.2% (104);
*Russians – 0.1% (80);
*Other – 1.2% (857).
| valign = top|
1931 – 21,826 inhabitants,<br/>by language:<ref>{{cite book |title=(Polish Census of 1931, Białystok Voivodeship) Drugi Powszechny Spis Ludności z dn. 9. XII 1931 r. Województwo białostockie |date=1938 |publisher=] |page=31 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/File:Woj.bia%C5%82ostockie-Polska_spis_powszechny_1931.pdf |language=pl |access-date=2019-09-30 |archive-date=2021-08-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830234313/https://commons.wikimedia.org/File:Woj.bia%C5%82ostockie-Polska_spis_powszechny_1931.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Polish – 71.0% (15,489);
*Yiddish – 21.4% (4,660);
*Hebrew – 4.9% (1,078);
*Russian – 1.8% (386);
*German – 0.5% (102);
*Ukrainian – 0.3% (63);
*Lithuanian – 0.1% (20);
*Belarusian – 0.04% (8);
*Other – 13;
*Unspecified – 7.
| valign = top|
1921 – 16,780 inhabitants,<br/>by nationality:<ref>{{cite book |title=(Polish Census of 1921, Białystok Voivodeship) Skorowidz miejscowości Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej opracowany na podstawie wyników Pierwszego Powszechnego Spisu Ludności z dn. 30 września 1921 r. i innych źródeł urzędowych, Vol. 5, Województwo Białostockie |date=1924 |publisher=] |page=80 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/File:Woj.bia%C5%82ostockie_miejscowo%C5%9Bci_1921.pdf |language=pl |access-date=2019-09-30 |archive-date=2020-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110192553/https://commons.wikimedia.org/File:Woj.bia%C5%82ostockie_miejscowo%C5%9Bci_1921.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Poles – 69.8% (11,719);
*Jews – 28.6% (4,804);
*Russians – 0.9% (159);
*Germans – 0.3% (54);
*Lithuanians – 0.1% (21);
*Belarusians – 0.1% (15);
*Other – 8.
| valign = top|
1897 – 22,648 inhabitants,<br/>by language:<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian Empire Census of 1897 |url=http://www.demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/emp_lan_97_uezd.php?reg=262 |website=demoscope.ru |access-date=30 September 2019 |language=ru |archive-date=8 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808062126/http://www.demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/emp_lan_97_uezd.php?reg=262 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Polish – 38.7% (8,768);
*Jewish – 32.9% (7,454);
*Russian – 21.6% (4,894);
*German – 3.0% (670);
*Belarusian – 1.0% (221);
*Tatar – 0.8% (180);
*Ukrainian – 0.6% (147);
*] – 0.5% (118)
*Lithuanian – 0.5% (110);
*] – 0.1% (14);
*Other – 0.3% (72).
| valign = top|
|}


==Climate== ==Climate==
Suwałki has a climate that is characterised by changeable weather patterns. The city has a ] (]: ''Dfb'') and, relatively to the rest of Poland, the city's climate has markedly continental characteristics even though there is some moderation from the ].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://czlowiekiprzyroda.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/64.pdf|title=Śluzowce Myxomycetes, grzyby Fungi i mszaki Bryophyta Wigierskiego Parku Narodowego|date=2010|publisher=Stowarzyszenie "Człowiek i Przyroda"|editor-first=Lech|editor-last=Krzysztofiak|isbn=978-83-60115-40-4|location=Suwałki|pages=4|language=pl|oclc=750863031}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Górniak|first=Andrzej|url=https://repozytorium.uwb.edu.pl/jspui/bitstream/11320/12295/1/A_Gorniak_Klimat_wojewodztwa_podlaskiego.pdf|title=Klimat województwa podlaskiego w czasie globalnego ocieplenia|publisher=Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku|year=2021|isbn=978-83-7431-694-1|location=Białystok|language=pl}}</ref> Suwałki has among the greatest record temperature amplitudes in Poland: the lowest temperature was recorded on 12 January 1950 ({{cvt|-35.5|°C|0}}), while the highest was {{cvt|37|°C|0}}, on 11 July 1946.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Tablice geograficzne|date=2001|publisher=Wydaw. Adamantan|editor1-first=Witold|editor1-last=Mizerski|editor2-first=Jan|editor2-last=Żukowski|author1-first=Jadwiga|author1-last=Żukowska|display-authors=etal|isbn=83-7350-025-1|edition=8|location=Warszawa|oclc=749873395}}</ref> It also holds the record for the highest atmospheric pressure ever registered in the country, at {{Convert|1064.8|hPa|inHg|abbr=on}} on 23 January 1907.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Geografia : encyklopedia szkolna|date=2004|publisher=Wydaw. Zielona Sowa|editor-first=Antoni|editor-last=Jackowski|author-first=Marek|author-last=Angel|display-authors=etal|isbn=83-7389-845-X|location=Kraków|oclc=749854477}}</ref>
Suwałki has a ]. It is characterized by cold winters and fairly warm summers. During the winter nights temperature often{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} falls below {{convert|-25|°C|0|abbr=on}}, but in summer the temperature increases above {{convert|30|°C|0|abbr=on}}. Snow in Suwałki remains for the longest period among Polish cities, i.e. for more than 100 days {{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}. Suwalki called "Polish pole of cold" because it has the lowest average temperature in the whole Poland, except mountain resorts.


The weather changes are common due to the fact that, like in the rest of Poland, ]s generated by ]s come along frequently.<ref name=":0" /> Due to its northerly location and the relatively little moderation of the Baltic, the ] around the city is the shortest in Poland;<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Dragańska|first1=Ewa|last2=Szwejkowski|first2=Zbigniew|last3=Cymes|first3=Iwona|last4=Panfil|first4=Monika|title=Charakterystyka leśnego okresu wegetacyjnego w Polsce na podstawie wybranego scenariusza zmian klimatu|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317831388|journal=Sylwan|volume=161|issue=4|pages=303–311}}</ref> according to the data from 1995-2019, the period of sustained average daily temperatures exceeding {{cvt|5|°C|0}} was only 200 days long, about 20–30 days shorter than in central and southern Poland.<ref name=":0" /> Suwałki is often called the "Polish pole of cold" (''polski biegun zimna'') because it has the lowest average temperature of the major cities in Poland, excepting mountainous areas<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Czapaj|first=Rafał|date=2019-07-05|title=Prognozowanie krótkoterminowe zapotrzebowania na energię elektryczną w KSE z wykorzystaniem metody MARSplines|url=http://sigma-not.pl/publikacja-121197-2019-7.html|journal=Przegląd Elektrotechniczny|language=en|volume=1|issue=7|pages=135–138|doi=10.15199/48.2019.07.27|issn=0033-2097}}</ref> (the actual "pole of cold" is located about {{Convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of the city, in the village of ]).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Zubek|first=Adam|date=2011-08-14|title=Suwalski biegun zimna. Dlaczego tam?|url=https://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/nauka/1518372,1,suwalski-biegun-zimna-dlaczego-tam.read|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Polityka|language=pl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1999-01-15|title=Polski biegun zimna|url=https://archiwum.rp.pl/artykul/209222-Polski-biegun-zimna.html|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Archiwum Rzeczpospolitej}}</ref>
{{Infobox Weather

|metric_first= Yes |single_line= Yes |location = Suwałki
Winters are just cold enough, if the {{cvt|-3|°C|0}} isotherm is accepted, not to be classified as oceanic (Köppen: ''Cfb''). The skies are often overcast and snow is frequent in the season, but there is much less precipitation in the winter months than in the sunnier summer months.<ref name=":0" /> Nights with temperatures below {{cvt|-15|°C|0}} sometimes occur, and temperatures below {{cvt|-25|°C|0}} are not unheard of. According to the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW), the snow stays there for the longest time in non-mountainous areas of Poland.<ref name="IMGW" /> The city is so cold that before 2015, Suwałki was only one of the four cities in Poland to have experienced winter conditions in every period from December to February (defined as the daily mean temperature of the month going below {{cvt|0|°C|0}});<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Czarnecka|first1=Małgorzata|last2=Nidzgorska-Lencewicz|first2=Jadwiga|date=2017|title=Zmienność termicznej zimy w Polsce w latach 1960-2015|url=http://agro.icm.edu.pl/agro/element/bwmeta1.element.agro-4da94d26-1d0f-4fbe-944d-9db35e920927/c/AA24_2_205-220.pdf|journal=Acta Agrophysica|language=pl|volume=24|issue=2|pages=205–220}}</ref> the extremely anomalous winter of 2019/2020 was the first in which Suwałki did not experience such conditions.<ref name="Meteomodel" />
|Jan_Hi_°C = -2.8 |Jan_REC_Hi_°C = 9.6 |Feb_Hi_°C = -2.5 |Feb_REC_Hi_°C = 10.9

|Mar_Hi_°C = 2.1 |Mar_REC_Hi_°C = 16.8 |Apr_Hi_°C = 10.2 |Apr_REC_Hi_°C = 24.9
Summers are pleasant, warm and often sunny, with the maximum daily temperatures sometimes exceeding {{cvt|30|°C|0}},<ref name="Meteomodel" /> though the season is still somewhat cooler in the city, as compared to the rest of Poland.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mapy klimatu Polski - Portal Klimat IMGW-PiB|url=https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-maps/#Mean_Temperature/Monthly/1991-2020/7/Winter|access-date=2022-02-12|website=klimat.imgw.pl}}</ref>{{Weather box
|May_Hi_°C = 18.5 |May_REC_Hi_°C = 29.2 |Jun_Hi_°C = 20.6 |Jun_REC_Hi_°C = 32.2
| location = Suwałki (1991-2020 normals, 1951-present extremes)
|Jul_Hi_°C = 22.4 |Jul_REC_Hi_°C = 34.6 |Aug_Hi_°C = 21.4 |Aug_REC_Hi_°C = 35.2
| metric first = Yes
|Sep_Hi_°C = 16.4 |Sep_REC_Hi_°C = 30.8 |Oct_Hi_°C = 11.8 |Oct_REC_Hi_°C = 23.9
| single line = Yes
|Nov_Hi_°C = 4.0 |Nov_REC_Hi_°C = 13.9 |Dec_Hi_°C = -0.5 |Dec_REC_Hi_°C = 11.3
| Jan record high C = 11.9
|Year_Hi_°C = 10.1 |Year_REC_Hi_°C = 35.2
| Feb record high C = 14.8
|Jan_Lo_°C = -6.6 |Jan_REC_Lo_°C = -30.6 |Feb_Lo_°C = -6.1 |Feb_REC_Lo_°C = -30.3
| Mar record high C = 20.4
|Mar_Lo_°C = -3.1 |Mar_REC_Lo_°C = -28.8 |Apr_Lo_°C = 1.8 |Apr_REC_Lo_°C = -12.3
| Apr record high C = 28.5
|May_Lo_°C = 7.3 |May_REC_Lo_°C = -5.0 |Jun_Lo_°C = 9.8 |Jun_REC_Lo_°C = -1.5
| May record high C = 30.9
|Jul_Lo_°C = 12.0 |Jul_REC_Lo_°C = 1.7 |Aug_Lo_°C = 10.8 |Aug_REC_Lo_°C = 0.4
| Jun record high C = 33.0
|Sep_Lo_°C = 7.2 |Sep_REC_Lo_°C = -4.6 |Oct_Lo_°C = 2.0 |Oct_REC_Lo_°C = -14.2
| Jul record high C = 35.3
|Nov_Lo_°C = -1.4 |Nov_REC_Lo_°C = -22.1 |Dec_Lo_°C = -4.1 |Dec_REC_Lo_°C = -26.8
| Aug record high C = 34.8
|Year_Lo_°C = 2.5 |Year_REC_Lo_°C = -30.6
| Sep record high C = 33.3
|Jan_MEAN_°C = -4.7 |Feb_MEAN_°C = -4.3 |Mar_MEAN_°C = -0.5 |Apr_MEAN_°C = 6.0
| Oct record high C = 24.0
|May_MEAN_°C = 12.9 |Jun_MEAN_°C = 15.2 |Jul_MEAN_°C = 17.2 |Aug_MEAN_°C = 16.1
| Nov record high C = 15.7
|Sep_MEAN_°C = 11.8 |Oct_MEAN_°C = 6.9 |Nov_MEAN_°C = 1.3 |Dec_MEAN_°C = -2.3
|Year_MEAN_°C = 6.3 | Dec record high C = 11.4
| year record high C = 35.3
|Jan_Precip_cm = |Jan_Precip_mm = 36 |Feb_Precip_cm = |Feb_Precip_mm = 25
| Jan high C = -1.0
|Mar_Precip_cm = |Mar_Precip_mm = 31 |Apr_Precip_cm = |Apr_Precip_mm = 38
| Feb high C = 0.2
|May_Precip_cm = |May_Precip_mm = 53 |Jun_Precip_cm = |Jun_Precip_mm = 78
| Mar high C = 4.9
|Jul_Precip_cm = |Jul_Precip_mm = 77 |Aug_Precip_cm = |Aug_Precip_mm = 77
| Apr high C = 12.7
|Sep_Precip_cm = |Sep_Precip_mm = 53 |Oct_Precip_cm = |Oct_Precip_mm = 47
| May high C = 18.4
|Nov_Precip_cm = |Nov_Precip_mm = 47 |Dec_Precip_cm = |Dec_Precip_mm = 41
| Jun high C = 21.5
|Year_Precip_cm = |Year_Precip_mm = 603
| Jul high C = 23.8
|Jan_Sun= 35 |Feb_Sun= 53 |Mar_Sun= 92 |Apr_Sun= 153 |May_Sun= 219 |Jun_Sun= 225
| Aug high C = 23.3
|Jul_Sun= 222 |Aug_Sun= 212 |Sep_Sun= 150 |Oct_Sun= 89 |Nov_Sun= 46 |Dec_Sun= 32
| Sep high C = 17.7
|Year_Sun= 1528
| Oct high C = 10.9
|Jan_Hum= 85 |Feb_Hum= 85 |Mar_Hum= 85 |Apr_Hum= 82 |May_Hum= 77 |Jun_Hum= 77
| Nov high C = 4.5
|Jul_Hum= 79 |Aug_Hum= 80 |Sep_Hum= 80 |Oct_Hum= 82 |Nov_Hum= 85 |Dec_Hum= 86
| Dec high C = 0.5
|Year_Hum= 82
| year high C = 11.5
|Jan_Precip_days = 15 |Feb_Precip_days = 13 |Mar_Precip_days = 15 |Apr_Precip_days = 12
| Jan mean C = -3.3
|May_Precip_days = 12 |Jun_Precip_days = 14 |Jul_Precip_days = 15 |Aug_Precip_days = 14
| Feb mean C = -2.6
|Sep_Precip_days = 13 |Oct_Precip_days = 16 |Nov_Precip_days = 15 |Dec_Precip_days = 15
| Mar mean C = 0.9
|Year_Precip_days = 169
| Apr mean C = 7.3
|source = www.imigw.pl
| May mean C = 12.6
|source2 = http://www.stat.gov.pl/cps/rde/xchg/gus
| Jun mean C = 15.9
| Jul mean C = 18.1
| Aug mean C = 17.4
| Sep mean C = 12.5
| Oct mean C = 7.0
| Nov mean C = 2.3
| Dec mean C = -1.6
| year mean C = 7.2
| Jan low C = -5.7
| Feb low C = -5.4
| Mar low C = -2.8
| Apr low C = 2.0
| May low C = 6.7
| Jun low C = 10.3
| Jul low C = 12.7
| Aug low C = 11.9
| Sep low C = 8.0
| Oct low C = 3.7
| Nov low C = 0.2
| Dec low C = -3.9
| year low C = 3.1
| Jan record low C = -32.0
| Feb record low C = -32.0
| Mar record low C = -29.7
| Apr record low C = -10.0
| May record low C = -4.6
| Jun record low C = -0.9
| Jul record low C = 3.2
| Aug record low C = 0.9
| Sep record low C = -4.3
| Oct record low C = -14.2
| Nov record low C = -20.7
| Dec record low C = -29.6
| year record low C = -32.0
| Jan precipitation mm = 38.1
| Feb precipitation mm = 31.5
| Mar precipitation mm = 36.8
| Apr precipitation mm = 34.8
| May precipitation mm = 53.8
| Jun precipitation mm = 66.9
| Jul precipitation mm = 85.6
| Aug precipitation mm = 70.9
| Sep precipitation mm = 52.3
| Oct precipitation mm = 52.4
| Nov precipitation mm = 42.8
| Dec precipitation mm = 41.0
| year precipitation mm = 607.1
| Jan humidity = 90.2
| Feb humidity = 87.7
| Mar humidity = 81.0
| Apr humidity = 71.7
| May humidity = 71.3
| Jun humidity = 73.6
| Jul humidity = 75.3
| Aug humidity = 75.8
| Sep humidity = 81.5
| Oct humidity = 86.9
| Nov humidity = 91.8
| Dec humidity = 91.9
| year humidity = 81.6
| Jan precipitation days = 17.27
| Feb precipitation days = 15.61
| Mar precipitation days = 14.27
| Apr precipitation days = 11.30
| May precipitation days = 13.37
| Jun precipitation days = 13.63
| Jul precipitation days = 14.13
| Aug precipitation days = 13.17
| Sep precipitation days = 11.83
| Oct precipitation days = 13.90
| Nov precipitation days = 15.53
| Dec precipitation days = 17.23
| year precipitation days = 171.24
| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| unit snow days = 0,0 cm
| Jan snow days = 20.7
| Feb snow days = 19.8
| Mar snow days = 11.7
| Apr snow days = 1.7
| May snow days = 0.1
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.8
| Nov snow days = 5.5
| Dec snow days = 15.6
| year snow days = 75.9
| Jan snow depth cm = 11.9
| Feb snow depth cm = 13.3
| Mar snow depth cm = 10.3
| Apr snow depth cm = 2.9
| May snow depth cm = 0.3
| Jun snow depth cm = 0.0
| Jul snow depth cm = 0.0
| Aug snow depth cm = 0.0
| Sep snow depth cm = 0.0
| Oct snow depth cm = 0.6
| Nov snow depth cm = 2.7
| Dec snow depth cm = 7.2
| Jan sun = 35.8
| Feb sun = 54.2
| Mar sun = 119.9
| Apr sun = 182.2
| May sun = 249.7
| Jun sun = 252.4
| Jul sun = 252.3
| Aug sun = 233.3
| Sep sun = 155.3
| Oct sun = 90.8
| Nov sun = 29.7
| Dec sun = 23.3
| year sun = 1678.9
| source 1 = ]<ref name="IMGW">{{Cite web|title=Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020 - Portal Klimat IMGW-PiB|url=https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/TSR_AVE|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Institute of Meteorology and Water Management|language=pl}}</ref>
| source 2 = meteomodel.pl (humidity and extremes)<ref name="Meteomodel">{{Cite web|date=2018-04-06|title=Średnie i sumy miesięczne: Suwałki|url=https://meteomodel.pl/dane/srednie-miesieczne/|access-date=2022-02-12|website=meteomodel.pl|language=pl-PL}}</ref>
| date = February 2022
| precipitation colour = green
| source =
}}
{{Weather box
| width = 100% <!-- 77% if there is a template or image next to it -->
| collapsed = Y <!-- y, if you have normal updates -->
| open =
| metric first=y <!-- always, except UK or US cities -->
| single line=y
| location = Suwałki (Szwajcaria), elevation: {{cvt|184|m|disp=or}}, 1961-1990 normals and extremes
<!--in the order as it appears in the table, not all of the following data may be available, especially records and days of precipitation -->
| Jan mean C=-5.3
| Feb mean C=-4.6
| Mar mean C=-0.6
| Apr mean C=5.6
| May mean C=12.2
| Jun mean C=15.4
| Jul mean C=16.6
| Aug mean C=16.0
| Sep mean C=11.6
| Oct mean C=6.8
| Nov mean C=1.7
| Dec mean C=-2.7
| Jan high C=-2.9
| Feb high C=-1.7
| Mar high C=3.1
| Apr high C=10.5
| May high C=17.4
| Jun high C=20.4
| Jul high C=21.6
| Aug high C=21.4
| Sep high C=16.6
| Oct high C=10.6
| Nov high C=3.8
| Dec high C=-0.6
| Jan record high C=8.3
| Feb record high C=14.8
| Mar record high C=20.4
| Apr record high C=26.9
| May record high C=30.3
| Jun record high C=31.9
| Jul record high C=34.5
| Aug record high C=34.6
| Sep record high C=29.7
| Oct record high C=24.0
| Nov record high C=15.7
| Dec record high C=11.4
| Jan low C=-8.2
| Feb low C=-7.7
| Mar low C=-4.0
| Apr low C=1.4
| May low C=6.7
| Jun low C=10.0
| Jul low C=11.4
| Aug low C=10.9
| Sep low C=7.4
| Oct low C=3.5
| Nov low C=-0.5
| Dec low C=-5.2
| Jan record low C=-30.7
| Feb record low C=-29.0
| Mar record low C=-29.7
| Apr record low C=-10.0
| May record low C=-4.3
| Jun record low C=-0.9
| Jul record low C=3.2
| Aug record low C=0.9
| Sep record low C=-4.3
| Oct record low C=-8.6
| Nov record low C=-19.7
| Dec record low C=-27.8
| precipitation colour=green
| Jan precipitation mm=32
| Feb precipitation mm=24
| Mar precipitation mm=32
| Apr precipitation mm=35
| May precipitation mm=57
| Jun precipitation mm=75
| Jul precipitation mm=77
| Aug precipitation mm=68
| Sep precipitation mm=54
| Oct precipitation mm=49
| Nov precipitation mm=52
| Dec precipitation mm=39
| Jan sun=37.0
| Feb sun=62.0
| Mar sun=115.0
| Apr sun=156.0
| May sun=226.0
| Jun sun=239.0
| Jul sun=232.0
| Aug sun=216.0
| Sep sun=143.0
| Oct sun=90.0
| Nov sun=33.0
| Dec sun=27.0
| unit precipitation days=1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days=8.5
| Feb precipitation days=6.9
| Mar precipitation days=8.3
| Apr precipitation days=8.0
| May precipitation days=9.0
| Jun precipitation days=10.5
| Jul precipitation days=10.3
| Aug precipitation days=9.3
| Sep precipitation days=9.9
| Oct precipitation days=8.7
| Nov precipitation days=10.5
| Dec precipitation days=10.1
| source=]<ref name=noaa>{{cite web |url=http://geodata.lib.ncsu.edu/fedgov/noaa/clino/TABLES/REG_VI/PL/12195.TXT |title=Suwałki (12195) - WMO Weather Station |access-date=July 19, 2019 |publisher=] |archive-date=July 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719172618/http://geodata.lib.ncsu.edu/fedgov/noaa/clino/TABLES/REG_VI/PL/12195.TXT |url-status=live }}</ref>
}} }}


==Tourist attractions== ==Tourist attractions==
] ]
]
* ] street with classicist architecture

* Romantic 19th century park
* Aquapark Suwałki
* St. Alexander's Church
*] street with classicist architecture
* St. Peter and Paul's Church
*Romantic 19th-century park
* Cemetery complex at Bakałarzewska street (Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim)
*St. Alexander's Church
* Municipal museum
*St. Peter's and Paul's Church
* Town Hall
*Chłodna Street ]
* Former gymnasium building
* Museum and monument to ] *District Museum at the former ''Resursa'' (trading point)
*Town Hall (''Ratusz'')
* 19th century brewery of ]
*Former gymnasium building
* Suwałki Plaza, a shopping mall and cinema complex that opened in 2010
*Museum of Polish poet ] at her childhood home
*Monument to ]
*] Gallery
*19th century brewery of ]
*Childhood home of Polish painter ]
*Cemetery complex on Bakałarzewska street (Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim)
*Suwałki Plaza, a shopping mall and cinema complex that opened in 2010. The mall contains stores with various products such as groceries, books, clothing, shoes and accessories.


==Education== ==Education==
*Wyższa Szkoła Służby Społecznej im. Ks. Franciszka Blachnickiego
]
*Wyższa Szkoła Suwalsko-Mazurska im. Papieża Jana Pawła II
*Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa w Suwałkach<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pwsz.suwalki.pl/ |title=pwsz.suwalki.pl |access-date=2022-02-03 |archive-date=2021-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813054143/https://www.pwsz.suwalki.pl/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Sport==
* Wyższa Szkoła Służby Społecznej im. Ks. Franciszka Blachnickiego
]
* Wyższa Szkoła Suwalsko-Mazurska im. Papieża Jana Pawła II
The volleyball team ] is based in Suwałki. It plays in the ], Poland's top division. The ] club ] is based in the town. They currently play in the ], the fourth tier of the Polish football league system, although played in the ] (second tier) in the past.
*


==People== ==Notable people==
], Prime Minister of The Government <br/>of the Polish Republic in Exile]]
* ] (1906–1990), Swedish ]
], film director and recipient of an ]]]
* ] (1923–1950), violinist
{{main|List of people from Suwałki}}
* ] (1891–1969), soldier, politician and journalist
Over the centuries Suwałki has produced a number of persons who have provided unique contributions to the fields of science, language, politics, religion, sports, visual arts and performing arts. A list of recent notable persons includes, but is not limited to:
* ] (1842–1910), poet
*] (born 1996), javelin thrower
* ] (1880–1954), general
* ] (1880–1940), general, killed in the ] *] (1910–1944), secret diarist at ]
*] (1842–1910), poet and novelist, author of the poem '']''
* ] (1870–1935), composer and conductor
*] (1849–1915), painter
* ] (1882–1963), wife of ] and the Polish ]
* ] (1891–1960), general, cavalry commander *] (1880–1940), general, killed in the ]
*] (1907–1942), Zionist paramilitary leader, codename 'Yair' founder of ]
* ] (1841–1912), ] (Dean of a rabbinical academy)
*] (1915–2005), economist and the last Polish ]
* ] (1906–1975), Israeli politician, Minister of Finance
*] (1926–2016), film director and recipient of an ]
* ] (Yair) (1907–1942), poet and Jewish resistance fighter
*] (1906–1975), ]
* ] (1915–2005), economist and the last Polish ]
* ] (1926-), film director
* ] (1849–1915), painter
* ] (1909–1995), professor of law and political since colonel judge


==International relations==
==Twin towns==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Poland}}
Suwałki is ] with:

{| cellpadding="10"
===Twin towns – sister cities===
Suwałki is ] with:
{|class="wikitable"
|- valign="top" |- valign="top"

| |
* {{flagicon|France}} ] in ] *{{flagicon|LTU}} ], ]
*{{flagicon|LTU}} ], ]<ref name="Druskininkai twinnings">{{cite web |url=http://www.druskininkai.lt/go.php/Tarptautinis%20bendradarbiavimas889 |title=Tarptautinis Bendradarbiavimas |trans-title=Druskininkai international cooperation |work=Druskininkų savivaldybės administracija |access-date=2013-08-03 |date=2012-03-22 |language=lt |archive-date=2016-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008104409/http://www.druskininkai.lt/go.php/Tarptautinis%20bendradarbiavimas889 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Lithuania}} ] in ]
* {{flagicon|Lithuania}} ] in ] *{{flagicon|FRA}} ], ]
*{{flagicon|LTU}} ], Lithuania
*{{flagicon|LTU}} ], Lithuania
|| ||
*{{flagicon|NOR}} ], ]
||
* {{flagicon|Germany}} ] in ] *{{flagicon|LVA}} ], ]
* {{flagicon|Estonia}} ] in ] *{{flagicon|EST}} ], ]
* {{flagicon|Lithuania}} ] in ] *{{flagicon|GER}} ], ]
|} |}


==See also== ==See also==
{{commons|Suwałki}}
* ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* ]
* ]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book|title=Śladami zbrodni okresu stalinowskiego w województwie białostockim|last=Zwolski|first=Marcin|language=pl|publisher=IPN|year=2013|place=Białystok|isbn=978-83-62357-25-3}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons|Suwałki}}
*
* *{{Official website|http://www.um.suwalki.pl/ }} {{in lang|pl}}
* * {{in lang|pl}}
* {{in lang|pl}}
*
*{{dead link|date=November 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{in lang|pl}}


{{Suwałki County}} {{Suwałki County}}
{{Podlaskie Voivodeship}} {{Podlaskie Voivodeship}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|54|06|N|22|56|E|region:PL_type:city|display=title}}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Suwalki}}
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Latest revision as of 20:05, 16 December 2024

City in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland For the strategically important area that lies between Poland, Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, see Suwałki Gap. Place in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Poland
Suwałki
  • From top, left to right: Saint Alexander Co-Cathedral
  • Mickiewicza Street and Sacred Heart of Jesus church
  • Park of the Constitution of 3 May
Flag of SuwałkiFlagCoat of arms of SuwałkiCoat of arms
Suwałki is located in PolandSuwałkiSuwałki
Coordinates: 54°05′56″N 22°55′43″E / 54.09889°N 22.92861°E / 54.09889; 22.92861
Country Poland
VoivodeshipPodlaskie
Countycity county
Established1690
City rights1720
Government
 • City mayorCzesław Renkiewicz
Area
 • Total65.24 km (25.19 sq mi)
Elevation170 m (560 ft)
Population
 • Total69,206 Decrease
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code16-400 to 16-403
Area code+48 87
Car platesBS
Websitehttp://www.um.suwalki.pl/

Suwałki ( ; Lithuanian: Suvalkai; Yiddish: סואוואַלק or סוּוואַלק) is a city in northeastern Poland with a population of 69,206 (2021). It is the capital of Suwałki County and one of the most important centers of commerce in the Podlaskie Voivodeship. Suwałki is the largest city and the capital of the historical Suwałki Region. Until 1999 it was the capital of Suwałki Voivodeship. Suwałki is located about 30 km (19 mi) from the southwestern Lithuanian border and gives its name to the Polish protected area known as Suwałki Landscape Park. The Czarna Hańcza river flows through the city.

Etymology

The name derives from Lithuanian su- (near) and valka (creek, marsh), with the combined meaning "place near a small river or swampy area".

History

Yotvingian kurgan
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The area of Suwałki had been populated by local Yotvingian and Prussian tribes since the early Middle Ages. However, with the arrival of the Teutonic Order to Yotvingia, their lands were conquered and remained largely depopulated in the following centuries.

17th century

The village was founded by Camaldolese monks, who in 1667 were granted the area surrounding the future town by the Grand Duke of Lithuania and the King of Poland John II Casimir. Soon afterwards the monastic order built its headquarters in Wigry, where a monastery and a church were built.

The new owners of the area started rapid economic exploitation and development of the forests; they brought enough settlers (mainly from an overpopulated Masovia) to build several new villages in the area. Also, production of wood, lumber, tar and iron ore was started. The village was first mentioned in 1688; two years later it was reported to have just two houses.

18th century

Resursa - once a trading point, now a museum

However, the growth of the village was fast and by 1700 it was split into Lesser and Greater Suwałki. The village was located almost exactly in the center of Camaldolese estates and lay on the main trade route linking Grodno and Merkinė with Königsberg.

In 1710 King Augustus II the Strong granted the village a privilege to organize fairs and markets. Five years later, in 1715, the village was granted town rights by the grand master of the order, Ildefons. The town was divided into 300 lots for future houses and its inhabitants were granted civil rights and exempted from taxes for seven years. In addition, the town was granted 18.03 km (6.96 sq mi) of forest that was to be turned into arable land. On May 2, 1720, the town rights were approved by King August II, and the town was allowed to organize one fair a week and four markets a year. In addition, a coat of arms was approved, depicting Saint Roch and Saint Romuald.

After the Partitions of Poland in 1795, the area was annexed by Prussia. In 1796 the monastery in Wigry was dissolved and its property confiscated by the Prussian government. The following year a seat of local powiat authorities was moved to the town, as well as a military garrison. By the end of the 18th century, Suwałki had 1,184 inhabitants and 216 houses. A large part of the population was Jewish.

19th century

St Alexander Church, built in the 19th century

In 1807 Suwałki became a salient of the newly formed Duchy of Warsaw and one of the centres of the Łomża Department. After the defeat of Napoleon I and the Congress of Vienna, the area was incorporated into the Congress Poland ("Russian Poland"), as a part of the Russian Empire (Russian partition). The status of a powiat capital was briefly withdrawn, but it was reintroduced on January 16, 1816, when the Augustów Voivodeship was created and its government was gradually moved to Suwałki. Soon afterwards the older town hall was demolished and replaced with a new one, and General Józef Zajączek financed the paving of most of the town's streets. The cemetery was moved to the outskirts from the town centre, and that area became a town park. Also, the Russian authorities built the Saint Petersburg–Warsaw Railway, which added to the town's prosperity.

In 1820 a new church was built. In 1821 the first synagogue was opened. In 1829 a permanent post office was opened in Suwałki. Between 1806 and 1827 the town's population almost tripled and reached 3,753 people living in 357 houses. During the November Uprising of 1831, the town's population took part in the struggles against Russia, but the town was pacified by the Russian army on February 11, 1830. In 1835 the government of Tsar Nicholas I decided not to move the capital of the voivodeship to Augustów. Two years later the Voivodeships of Poland were re-designated as gubernias, and the town became the capital of the Augustów Gubernia.

Childhood home of poet Maria Konopnicka (1842–1910)Childhood home of painter Alfred Kowalski (1849–1915)

In 1826 the Russians passed an investment plan and authorities initiated the construction of new public buildings. In 1835 a police station was built, in 1844 a new town hall and Orthodox and Protestant churches were completed. Soon afterwards a new marketplace was opened, as well as St. Peter's and Paul's hospital and a gymnasium. In addition, between 1840 and 1849 the main Catholic church was refurbished by many of Poland's most notable architects of the era, including Piotr Aigner, Antonio Corazzi and Enrico Marconi. To change the town's architecture and break with its rural past, in 1847 the town council passed a decree banning the construction of new wooden houses.

Town hall, built in 1844

The town's population continued to grow rapidly. In 1857 it had 11,273 inhabitants and in 1872 almost 20,000. Newly built factories needed workers and these were brought from workers recruited widely in Europe. The mixed Polish-Jewish-Lithuanian population was soon joined by people of almost all denominations that worshipped in the Russian Empire.

Soon Suwałki became the fourth-most populous town in Congress Poland. After the January Uprising of 1863, administration reform was passed to unify the Polish lands with Russia completely. In 1866 the gubernia of Augustów was renamed to Suwałki Gubernia. However, the route of the newly built Saint Petersburg-Warsaw railway bypassed Suwałki, adversely affecting its prosperity. It was not until the early 20th century that the establishment of a new Russian army garrison revived the economy. Also, a railway line linking Suwałki with Grodno was finally completed.

20th century to present

Kosciuszko street with historic tenements

After the spring of 1905, when the Russians were forced to accept a limited liberalization, the period of Polish cultural revival started. Although the Polish language was still banned from official use, new Polish schools were opened, as well as a Polish-language Tygodnik Suwalski weekly and a library. After World War I broke out, heavy fights for the area erupted. Finally in 1915, the Germans broke the Russian front and Suwałki was under German occupation. The town and surrounding areas were detached from the rest of the Polish lands and were directly administered by the German military commander of the Ober-Ost Army. Severe laws imposed by the German military command and the tragic economic situation of the civilians led to the creation of various secret social organisations. Finally, in 1917, local branches of the Polska Organizacja Wojskowa were created.

After the collapse of the Central Powers in November 1918, the local commander of the Ober-Ost signed an agreement with the Temporary Council of the Suwałki Region and de facto allowed for the region to be incorporated into Poland. However, the German army remained in the area and continued its economic exploitation. In February 1919 the local inhabitants took part in the first free elections to the Polish Sejm, but soon afterwards the German commanders changed their mind. They expelled the Polish military units from the area and in May passed the territory to Lithuanian authority.

Old houses and tenements on Mickiewicz Street

Independent Poland

By the end of July 1919, the Paris Peace Conference granted the town to Poland. As the newly-established border was disapproved of by the Polish government, it organised the Sejny Uprising on August 23, 1919. The Polish-Lithuanian War erupted and for several days fighting for control over Suwałki, Sejny and other towns in the area took place. The war ended on the insistence of the Entente in mid-September. Negotiations took place in Suwałki in early October. During the Polish-Bolshevik War, the town was captured by the Communists and, after the Battle of Warsaw, it was again passed to the Lithuanians. It was retaken by the Polish Army.

In the inter-war period, Suwałki became an autonomous town within the Białystok Voivodeship (1919-1939). This resulted in another period of prosperity, with the town's population rising from 16,780 in 1921 to almost 25,000 in 1935. The main source of income shifted from agriculture to trade and commerce. Also, in 1931 the new water works and a power plant were built. Also, Suwałki continued to serve as one of the biggest garrisons in Poland, with two regiments of the Polish 29th Infantry Division and almost an entire Suwałki Cavalry Brigade stationed there. Beginning in 1928, Suwałki was established as the headquarters of one of the battalions of the Border Defence Corps.

Second World War

World War II destruction in Suwałki, although the destruction was quite minor

During the later stages of the Polish Defensive War of 1939, the town was briefly captured by the Red Army. However, on October 12 of the same year, the Soviets withdrew and transferred the area to the Germans, in accordance with the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. The city was renamed Sudauen and annexed directly into Nazi Germany's province of East Prussia. Germans carried out mass arrests of Poles as part of Intelligenzaktion in the fall of 1939 and spring of 1940. Arrested Poles were deported to a transit camp in Działdowo or murdered on the spot. Nazi German severe laws and terrorism led to the creation of several resistance organisations in response. Although most initially destroyed by the Gestapo, by 1942 the area had one of the strongest ZWZ and AK networks. In the Szwajcaria district there are mass graves of members of the Polish resistance movement murdered by the Germans on April 26, 1940 and April 1, 1944.

Memorial at the site of a German execution of 16 Poles carried out on April 1, 1944.Memorial at the site of Suwałki Jewish Cemetery desecrated and destroyed by Nazi Germany. Only fragments of gravestones remain today.

Despite the resistance, almost all of the town's once 7,000-strong Jewish community was deported and murdered, beginning in December 1939, when German troops brought the elderly, sick, and disabled into a nearby forest and machine-gunned them en masse. The Germans, with help from local collaborators, deported the community's surviving Jews to ghettos in other towns. Nearly all either perished there or were murdered in Nazi concentration camps. The occupying Germans also systematically destroyed all traces of Jewish history and culture in the town, demolishing synagogues and desecrating Suwałki's Jewish cemetery, where a memorial and wall of gravestone fragments stand today. Also, in Suwałki's suburb of Krzywólka, the Germans established the Stalag I-F POW camp for almost 120,000 Soviet prisoners of war.

On October 23, 1944, the town was captured by the forces of the Soviet 3rd Belarusian Front. The fights for the town and its environs lasted for several days and took the lives of almost 5,000 Soviet soldiers before they defeated the Germans. The anti-Soviet resistance of former Armia Krajowa members lasted in the forests surrounding the town until the early 1950s.

Suwałki did not suffer much damage during World War II, most of the historic buildings survived the war, and the damage to the city was estimated at only 5-10%, which was quickly rebuilt.

Polish People's Republic

The apparatus subordinate to the Polish Committee of National Liberation took power in Suwałki without major problems. Immediately after the city's liberation by units of the Red Army, on October 23, 1944, Stanisław Łapot, a member of the former Communist Party of Poland, one of the organizers of the Polish Workers' Party in Białystok, came from Sejny to Suwałki. He was accompanied by several officials previously organized in Sejny with the deputy head Edmund Przybylski, as well as Tadeusz Sobolewski - the president of the interim Powiat Council. On the same day, at Mickiewicz Square, supposedly spontaneously organized, so with the participation of new authorities and over five thousand inhabitants of the city, and then in the "Rusałka" cinema hall a meeting of representatives of the population with the envoys of the Polish Committee of National Rebirth. Actions aimed at organizing the Suwałki authorities were taken shortly after the liberation. The Starosta handed over the power in the city to the temporary mayor Tadeusz Sobolewski on October 24, 1944. The commissariat of Suwałki was established. In turn, on November 7, a conference of representatives of provincial authorities with local authorities was held. As agreed, the first meeting of the Suwałki City Council took place the next day. On November 20, 1944, the board decided to locate its office in a private, Jewish building, partly abandoned, at 62/64 Kościuszki street, as the town hall building was severely damaged. In December 1944, the City Board did not gather, and its functions were performed by Sobolewski.

Historic townhouses at Kościuszki Street in 1957

The transitional state in the organization and functioning of the Suwałki authorities was properly completed in January 1945. Most probably then or at the beginning of February, the staroste S. Łapot issued an oral but very important order to subordinate Suwałki to the administration of the poviat level. In this way, he deprived them of the status they had until September 1939, a city separated from the poviat municipal association. Over the next few years, this matter was dealt with by various authorities, from municipal to central. This controversial problem appeared on March 27, 1945, on the initiative of the mayor Sobolewski, at the third meeting of the City National Council. The governor Wacław Kraśko, who was present at it, was rather reluctant to propose separating the city from the poviat and pointed to the need to improve, first and foremost, the situation and condition of municipal enterprises. The Council decided to postpone the case.

Another politician calling for restoring Suwałki to the legal status of before September 1, 1939 was mayor Wacław Rudzki. At the Municipal National Council meeting on March 25, 1946, he submitted the first motion to separate the city from the poviat, which was motivated by prestigious, historical and financial considerations. The Council shared the submitted arguments and decided, through the Poviat National Council, to apply to the Voivodeship National Council in Bialystok with a request to include the city separated from poviat self-government associations. Much more radical decisions, undoubtedly also under the influence of W. Rudzki, MRN made at its meeting on May 27, 1946. She decided that the rescript of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of December 1919 about the separation of Suwałki from the poviat remains in force, therefore she is the council of the separated city and reports to the Provincial National Council in Bialystok. The Council also elected, without discussion and by acclamation, the incumbent mayor of the city, Rudzki.

After this revolt, the reaction of the superior authorities was swift. Already in mid-June 1946, the voivode demanded that the chairman of the Suwałki Poviat Department (starosta) suspend the implementation of the Municipal National Council resolutions of 27 May, while informing that in the matter of restoring Suwałki's rights as a separate city, he turned to the Ministry of Public Administration. And indeed the voivode, writing favorably about Suwałki, their development and the achievements of the authorities, mainly Rudzki, asked the ministry for guidelines and a suggestion of a positive resolution of the case, although the relevant regulations did not allow it, mainly because the number of inhabitants of the city did not reach 25,000. After the lapse of the month, Rudzki not only did not become president, but also resigned from the position of mayor. Nevertheless, on July 25, 1946, the MRN decided to send a delegation of councilors composed of Leon Bracławski, Józef Wiszniewski and Antoni Zalewski to the Ministry of the Interior to support current activities and accelerate the restoration of Suwałki's rights of a separated city.

Following the end of the war and the establishment of a communist regime, the new authorities of Poland began establishing territorial branches of the security services, most notably the Ministry of Public Security, in the whole country and in Suwałki as well: The seat of the PUBP was located at 5 Kościuszki street in 1944, and at the same year it was transferred to building no. 78 in the same street where it was located up until 1956.

After the war, Suwałki was retained as the capital of the powiat. However, the heavily damaged town recovered very slowly, and the Communist economic system could not support the reinvestment needed. In 1975 new administrative reform was implemented: Suwałki was designated as the capital of a separate Suwałki Voivodeship. The number of inhabitants rose rapidly, and by the end of the 1970s, the population was over 36,000. Large factories were built in the town, and it became one of the important industrial and commercial centres of Eastern Poland.

Martial law

During the period of martial law in Poland and rise of Solidarność in the early 1980s, Solidarność demanded that the buildings of the Polish United Workers' Party and the Citizens' Militia be handed over to be used for social infrastructure, primarily schools, kindergartens and hospitals. This position was taken by the Inter-Enterprise Founding Committee of the Solidarity Independent Trade Union in Giżycko and Suwałki in regards to the party complex in 83 Noniewicza street. The first round of talks on this matter with representatives of authorities (including central authorities) took place on January 28, 1981. Solidarność emphasized that the new buildings could be turned into medical clinics, a community center for youth and a music school. It strengthened its position with over 18 thousand signatures from the inhabitants of the region. No agreement was reached, because the authorities did not want to hand over the building. Before the next round of talks on the night of February 14–15, under the cover of the Citizens' Militia and Security Service, the PZPR KW was moved to new buildings. This action caused widespread indignation in the whole province, not only among the members of Solidarity.

Following the end of Communist rule in 1989, Suwałki had a difficult period in transitioning to a new economic system. Most of the town's major factories were inefficient and went bankrupt. Creation of the Suwałki Special Economic Zone and the proximity of the Russian and Lithuanian borders opened new possibilities for local trade and commerce. In addition, the region began to attract many tourists from all around the world. In the 21st century, residents of Suwałki frequently travel across the Russian and Lithuanian borders for shopping trips as well as to make use of the various attractions both countries offer.

To the military planners of NATO, an area of the Lithuania–Poland border area is known as the Suwałki Gap because it represents a military difficulty. It is a flat narrow piece of land, a gap, that is between Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and that connects the three NATO-member Baltic States to Poland and the rest of NATO.

Demographics

2002 – 68,923 inhabitants,
by nationality:

  • Poles – 98.0% (67,556);
  • Lithuanians – 0.5% (326);
  • Romani people – 0.2% (104);
  • Russians – 0.1% (80);
  • Other – 1.2% (857).

1931 – 21,826 inhabitants,
by language:

  • Polish – 71.0% (15,489);
  • Yiddish – 21.4% (4,660);
  • Hebrew – 4.9% (1,078);
  • Russian – 1.8% (386);
  • German – 0.5% (102);
  • Ukrainian – 0.3% (63);
  • Lithuanian – 0.1% (20);
  • Belarusian – 0.04% (8);
  • Other – 13;
  • Unspecified – 7.

1921 – 16,780 inhabitants,
by nationality:

  • Poles – 69.8% (11,719);
  • Jews – 28.6% (4,804);
  • Russians – 0.9% (159);
  • Germans – 0.3% (54);
  • Lithuanians – 0.1% (21);
  • Belarusians – 0.1% (15);
  • Other – 8.

1897 – 22,648 inhabitants,
by language:

  • Polish – 38.7% (8,768);
  • Jewish – 32.9% (7,454);
  • Russian – 21.6% (4,894);
  • German – 3.0% (670);
  • Belarusian – 1.0% (221);
  • Tatar – 0.8% (180);
  • Ukrainian – 0.6% (147);
  • Chuvash – 0.5% (118)
  • Lithuanian – 0.5% (110);
  • Mari – 0.1% (14);
  • Other – 0.3% (72).

Climate

Suwałki has a climate that is characterised by changeable weather patterns. The city has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb) and, relatively to the rest of Poland, the city's climate has markedly continental characteristics even though there is some moderation from the Baltic Sea. Suwałki has among the greatest record temperature amplitudes in Poland: the lowest temperature was recorded on 12 January 1950 (−35.5 °C (−32 °F)), while the highest was 37 °C (99 °F), on 11 July 1946. It also holds the record for the highest atmospheric pressure ever registered in the country, at 1,064.8 hPa (31.44 inHg) on 23 January 1907.

The weather changes are common due to the fact that, like in the rest of Poland, weather fronts generated by low-pressure areas come along frequently. Due to its northerly location and the relatively little moderation of the Baltic, the growing season around the city is the shortest in Poland; according to the data from 1995-2019, the period of sustained average daily temperatures exceeding 5 °C (41 °F) was only 200 days long, about 20–30 days shorter than in central and southern Poland. Suwałki is often called the "Polish pole of cold" (polski biegun zimna) because it has the lowest average temperature of the major cities in Poland, excepting mountainous areas (the actual "pole of cold" is located about 25 km (16 mi) north of the city, in the village of Wiżajny).

Winters are just cold enough, if the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm is accepted, not to be classified as oceanic (Köppen: Cfb). The skies are often overcast and snow is frequent in the season, but there is much less precipitation in the winter months than in the sunnier summer months. Nights with temperatures below −15 °C (5 °F) sometimes occur, and temperatures below −25 °C (−13 °F) are not unheard of. According to the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW), the snow stays there for the longest time in non-mountainous areas of Poland. The city is so cold that before 2015, Suwałki was only one of the four cities in Poland to have experienced winter conditions in every period from December to February (defined as the daily mean temperature of the month going below 0 °C (32 °F)); the extremely anomalous winter of 2019/2020 was the first in which Suwałki did not experience such conditions.

Summers are pleasant, warm and often sunny, with the maximum daily temperatures sometimes exceeding 30 °C (86 °F), though the season is still somewhat cooler in the city, as compared to the rest of Poland.

Climate data for Suwałki (1991-2020 normals, 1951-present extremes)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 11.9
(53.4)
14.8
(58.6)
20.4
(68.7)
28.5
(83.3)
30.9
(87.6)
33.0
(91.4)
35.3
(95.5)
34.8
(94.6)
33.3
(91.9)
24.0
(75.2)
15.7
(60.3)
11.4
(52.5)
35.3
(95.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −1.0
(30.2)
0.2
(32.4)
4.9
(40.8)
12.7
(54.9)
18.4
(65.1)
21.5
(70.7)
23.8
(74.8)
23.3
(73.9)
17.7
(63.9)
10.9
(51.6)
4.5
(40.1)
0.5
(32.9)
11.5
(52.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −3.3
(26.1)
−2.6
(27.3)
0.9
(33.6)
7.3
(45.1)
12.6
(54.7)
15.9
(60.6)
18.1
(64.6)
17.4
(63.3)
12.5
(54.5)
7.0
(44.6)
2.3
(36.1)
−1.6
(29.1)
7.2
(45.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −5.7
(21.7)
−5.4
(22.3)
−2.8
(27.0)
2.0
(35.6)
6.7
(44.1)
10.3
(50.5)
12.7
(54.9)
11.9
(53.4)
8.0
(46.4)
3.7
(38.7)
0.2
(32.4)
−3.9
(25.0)
3.1
(37.6)
Record low °C (°F) −32.0
(−25.6)
−32.0
(−25.6)
−29.7
(−21.5)
−10.0
(14.0)
−4.6
(23.7)
−0.9
(30.4)
3.2
(37.8)
0.9
(33.6)
−4.3
(24.3)
−14.2
(6.4)
−20.7
(−5.3)
−29.6
(−21.3)
−32.0
(−25.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 38.1
(1.50)
31.5
(1.24)
36.8
(1.45)
34.8
(1.37)
53.8
(2.12)
66.9
(2.63)
85.6
(3.37)
70.9
(2.79)
52.3
(2.06)
52.4
(2.06)
42.8
(1.69)
41.0
(1.61)
607.1
(23.90)
Average extreme snow depth cm (inches) 11.9
(4.7)
13.3
(5.2)
10.3
(4.1)
2.9
(1.1)
0.3
(0.1)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.6
(0.2)
2.7
(1.1)
7.2
(2.8)
13.3
(5.2)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 17.27 15.61 14.27 11.30 13.37 13.63 14.13 13.17 11.83 13.90 15.53 17.23 171.24
Average snowy days (≥ 0,0 cm) 20.7 19.8 11.7 1.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 5.5 15.6 75.9
Average relative humidity (%) 90.2 87.7 81.0 71.7 71.3 73.6 75.3 75.8 81.5 86.9 91.8 91.9 81.6
Mean monthly sunshine hours 35.8 54.2 119.9 182.2 249.7 252.4 252.3 233.3 155.3 90.8 29.7 23.3 1,678.9
Source 1: Institute of Meteorology and Water Management
Source 2: meteomodel.pl (humidity and extremes)
Climate data for Suwałki (Szwajcaria), elevation: 184 m or 604 ft, 1961-1990 normals and extremes
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 8.3
(46.9)
14.8
(58.6)
20.4
(68.7)
26.9
(80.4)
30.3
(86.5)
31.9
(89.4)
34.5
(94.1)
34.6
(94.3)
29.7
(85.5)
24.0
(75.2)
15.7
(60.3)
11.4
(52.5)
34.6
(94.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −2.9
(26.8)
−1.7
(28.9)
3.1
(37.6)
10.5
(50.9)
17.4
(63.3)
20.4
(68.7)
21.6
(70.9)
21.4
(70.5)
16.6
(61.9)
10.6
(51.1)
3.8
(38.8)
−0.6
(30.9)
10.0
(50.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) −5.3
(22.5)
−4.6
(23.7)
−0.6
(30.9)
5.6
(42.1)
12.2
(54.0)
15.4
(59.7)
16.6
(61.9)
16.0
(60.8)
11.6
(52.9)
6.8
(44.2)
1.7
(35.1)
−2.7
(27.1)
6.1
(42.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −8.2
(17.2)
−7.7
(18.1)
−4.0
(24.8)
1.4
(34.5)
6.7
(44.1)
10.0
(50.0)
11.4
(52.5)
10.9
(51.6)
7.4
(45.3)
3.5
(38.3)
−0.5
(31.1)
−5.2
(22.6)
2.1
(35.8)
Record low °C (°F) −30.7
(−23.3)
−29.0
(−20.2)
−29.7
(−21.5)
−10.0
(14.0)
−4.3
(24.3)
−0.9
(30.4)
3.2
(37.8)
0.9
(33.6)
−4.3
(24.3)
−8.6
(16.5)
−19.7
(−3.5)
−27.8
(−18.0)
−30.7
(−23.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 32
(1.3)
24
(0.9)
32
(1.3)
35
(1.4)
57
(2.2)
75
(3.0)
77
(3.0)
68
(2.7)
54
(2.1)
49
(1.9)
52
(2.0)
39
(1.5)
594
(23.3)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 8.5 6.9 8.3 8.0 9.0 10.5 10.3 9.3 9.9 8.7 10.5 10.1 110
Mean monthly sunshine hours 37.0 62.0 115.0 156.0 226.0 239.0 232.0 216.0 143.0 90.0 33.0 27.0 1,576
Source: NOAA

Tourist attractions

Andrzej Strumiłło Gallery
Suwałki Plaza shopping mall
  • Aquapark Suwałki
  • Kościuszko street with classicist architecture
  • Romantic 19th-century park
  • St. Alexander's Church
  • St. Peter's and Paul's Church
  • Chłodna Street pedestrian zone
  • District Museum at the former Resursa (trading point)
  • Town Hall (Ratusz)
  • Former gymnasium building
  • Museum of Polish poet Maria Konopnicka at her childhood home
  • Monument to Maria Konopnicka
  • Andrzej Strumiłło Gallery
  • 19th century brewery of Wacław Kunc
  • Childhood home of Polish painter Alfred Kowalski
  • Cemetery complex on Bakałarzewska street (Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim)
  • Suwałki Plaza, a shopping mall and cinema complex that opened in 2010. The mall contains stores with various products such as groceries, books, clothing, shoes and accessories.

Education

  • Wyższa Szkoła Służby Społecznej im. Ks. Franciszka Blachnickiego
  • Wyższa Szkoła Suwalsko-Mazurska im. Papieża Jana Pawła II
  • Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa w Suwałkach

Sport

Municipal Stadium

The volleyball team Ślepsk Suwałki is based in Suwałki. It plays in the PlusLiga, Poland's top division. The football club Wigry Suwałki is based in the town. They currently play in the III liga, the fourth tier of the Polish football league system, although played in the I liga (second tier) in the past.

Notable people

Edward Szczepanik, Prime Minister of The Government
of the Polish Republic in Exile
Andrzej Wajda, film director and recipient of an Honorary Oscar
Main article: List of people from Suwałki

Over the centuries Suwałki has produced a number of persons who have provided unique contributions to the fields of science, language, politics, religion, sports, visual arts and performing arts. A list of recent notable persons includes, but is not limited to:

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Poland

Twin towns – sister cities

Suwałki is twinned with:

See also

Notes

References

Citations

  1. ^ "Local Data Bank". Statistics Poland. Retrieved 15 August 2022. Data for territorial unit 2063000.
  2. "Local history – Information about the town – Suwałki". Virtual Shtetl. Archived from the original on 2016-10-10. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  3. Tadeusz Zdancewicz (2005). "Suwałki – pochodzenie i znaczenie nazwy" [Suwałki – the origin and meaning of the name]. Acta Baltico-Slavica (29): 9–37. ISSN 0065-1044. Archived from the original on 2021-11-20. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  4. Wardzyńska, Maria (2009). Był rok 1939. Operacja niemieckiej policji bezpieczeństwa w Polsce. Intelligenzaktion (in Polish). Warsaw: IPN. p. 234.
  5. Wardzyńska, p. 234-235
  6. "Historia Wojskowej Komendy Uzupełnień w Suwałkach". WKUSuwalki.wp.mil.pl. Archived from the original on 2019-05-18. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  7. Zwolski 2013, p. 256-257.
  8. "Partia nie chciała oddać". 14 March 2008. Archived from the original on 2020-07-03. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  9. "(Polish Census of 2002) Deklaracje narodowościowe w gminach w 2002 roku". old.stat.gov.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  10. (Polish Census of 1931, Białystok Voivodeship) Drugi Powszechny Spis Ludności z dn. 9. XII 1931 r. Województwo białostockie (PDF) (in Polish). GUS. 1938. p. 31. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-08-30. Retrieved 2019-09-30.
  11. (Polish Census of 1921, Białystok Voivodeship) Skorowidz miejscowości Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej opracowany na podstawie wyników Pierwszego Powszechnego Spisu Ludności z dn. 30 września 1921 r. i innych źródeł urzędowych, Vol. 5, Województwo Białostockie (PDF) (in Polish). GUS. 1924. p. 80. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-11-10. Retrieved 2019-09-30.
  12. "Russian Empire Census of 1897". demoscope.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  13. Krzysztofiak, Lech, ed. (2010). Śluzowce Myxomycetes, grzyby Fungi i mszaki Bryophyta Wigierskiego Parku Narodowego (PDF) (in Polish). Suwałki: Stowarzyszenie "Człowiek i Przyroda". p. 4. ISBN 978-83-60115-40-4. OCLC 750863031.
  14. ^ Górniak, Andrzej (2021). Klimat województwa podlaskiego w czasie globalnego ocieplenia (PDF) (in Polish). Białystok: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku. ISBN 978-83-7431-694-1.
  15. Żukowska, Jadwiga; et al. (2001). Mizerski, Witold; Żukowski, Jan (eds.). Tablice geograficzne (8 ed.). Warszawa: Wydaw. Adamantan. ISBN 83-7350-025-1. OCLC 749873395.
  16. Angel, Marek; et al. (2004). Jackowski, Antoni (ed.). Geografia : encyklopedia szkolna. Kraków: Wydaw. Zielona Sowa. ISBN 83-7389-845-X. OCLC 749854477.
  17. Dragańska, Ewa; Szwejkowski, Zbigniew; Cymes, Iwona; Panfil, Monika. "Charakterystyka leśnego okresu wegetacyjnego w Polsce na podstawie wybranego scenariusza zmian klimatu". Sylwan. 161 (4): 303–311.
  18. Czapaj, Rafał (2019-07-05). "Prognozowanie krótkoterminowe zapotrzebowania na energię elektryczną w KSE z wykorzystaniem metody MARSplines". Przegląd Elektrotechniczny. 1 (7): 135–138. doi:10.15199/48.2019.07.27. ISSN 0033-2097.
  19. Zubek, Adam (2011-08-14). "Suwalski biegun zimna. Dlaczego tam?". Polityka (in Polish). Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  20. "Polski biegun zimna". Archiwum Rzeczpospolitej. 1999-01-15. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  21. ^ "Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020 - Portal Klimat IMGW-PiB". Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (in Polish). Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  22. Czarnecka, Małgorzata; Nidzgorska-Lencewicz, Jadwiga (2017). "Zmienność termicznej zimy w Polsce w latach 1960-2015" (PDF). Acta Agrophysica (in Polish). 24 (2): 205–220.
  23. ^ "Średnie i sumy miesięczne: Suwałki". meteomodel.pl (in Polish). 2018-04-06. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  24. "Mapy klimatu Polski - Portal Klimat IMGW-PiB". klimat.imgw.pl. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  25. "Suwałki (12195) - WMO Weather Station". NOAA. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  26. "pwsz.suwalki.pl". Archived from the original on 2021-08-13. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  27. "Tarptautinis Bendradarbiavimas" [Druskininkai international cooperation]. Druskininkų savivaldybės administracija (in Lithuanian). 2012-03-22. Archived from the original on 2016-10-08. Retrieved 2013-08-03.

Bibliography

  • Zwolski, Marcin (2013). Śladami zbrodni okresu stalinowskiego w województwie białostockim (in Polish). Białystok: IPN. ISBN 978-83-62357-25-3.

External links

Suwałki County
Rural gminas
Seat (not part of the county)
Counties of Podlaskie Voivodeship
City counties
Land counties
Categories: