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{{Infobox settlement {{Infobox settlement
| name = Braniewo | name = Braniewo
| image_skyline = Braniewo - Colegium Hosianum.JPG | image_skyline = {{Photomontage
| imagesize = 250px | color = #ffffff
| photo1a = Braniewo - bazylika 2.jpg{{!}}Saint Catherine Basilica
| image_caption = ] - defensive walls
| photo2a = Braniewo sankt sw krzyza klasztor.jpg{{!}}Holy Cross Sanctuary
| image_shield = POL Braniewo COA.svg
| photo2b = Braniewo Portowa 6 spichrz Mariacki.JPG{{!}}Old granary
| pushpin_map = Poland
| photo3a = Braniewo Urząd Miasta 2023 2.jpg{{!}}Municipal office
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| spacing = 2
| subdivision_type = Country
| border = 0
| subdivision_name = {{POL}}
| size = 266
| subdivision_type1 = ]
}}
| subdivision_name1 = ]
| imagesize = 250px
| subdivision_type2 = ]
| image_caption = {{hlist|From top, left to right: Saint Catherine Basilica|Holy Cross Sanctuary|Old granary|Municipal office}}
| subdivision_name2 = ]
| image_shield = POL Braniewo COA.svg
| subdivision_type3 = ]
| image_flag = POL Braniewo flag.svg
| subdivision_name3 = Braniewo <small>(urban gmina)</small>
| pushpin_map = Poland
| leader_title = Mayor
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| leader_name = Monika Trzcińska
| subdivision_type = ]
| established_title = Established
| subdivision_name = {{POL}}
| established_date = 13th century
| subdivision_type1 = ]
| established_title3 = Town rights
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship|name=Warmian-Masurian}}
| established_date3 = 1284
| subdivision_type2 = ]
| area_total_km2 = 12.36
| subdivision_name2 = ]
| population_as_of = 2006
| subdivision_type3 = ]
| population_total = 17875
| subdivision_name3 = Braniewo <small>(urban gmina)</small>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone = ] | leader_party = ]
| leader_title = Mayor
| utc_offset = +1
| leader_name = Tomasz Sielicki
| timezone_DST = ]
| established_title = Established
| utc_offset_DST = +2
| established_date = 13th century
| coordinates = {{coord|54|23|N|19|50|E|region:PL|display=inline}}
| established_title3 = Town rights
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| established_date3 = 1284
| postal_code = 14-500
| area_total_km2 = 12.36
| area_code = +48 55
| population_as_of = 30 June 2021<ref name="population">{{cite web|url=https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/BDL/dane/teryt/jednostka|title=Local Data Bank|access-date=2022-06-01|publisher=Statistics Poland}} Data for territorial unit 2802011.</ref>
| blank_name = ]
| population_total = 16907
| blank_info = NBR
| population_density_km2 = auto
| blank1_name = ]
| timezone = ]
| blank1_info = ]
| utc_offset = +1
| website = http://www.braniewo.pl/ }}
| timezone_DST = ]
| utc_offset_DST = +2
'''Braniewo''' ({{IPAc-pl|b|r|a|'|ń|e1|w|o}}), ({{lang-de|Braunsberg in Ostpreußen}}, {{lang-la|Brunsberga}}, ]: ''Brus'', {{lang-lt|Prūsa}}), is a ] in northeastern ], in the ], with a population of 18,068 (2004). It is the capital of ].
| coordinates = {{coord|54|23|N|19|50|E|region:PL|display=title,inline}}
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 14-500
| area_code = +48 55
| blank_name = ]
| blank_info = NBR
| blank1_name = ]
| blank1_info = ]
| blank_name_sec2 = ]
| blank_info_sec2 = ]
| blank1_name_sec2 = ]s
| blank1_info_sec2 = ] ]
| website = http://www.braniewo.pl/
}}

'''Braniewo''' ({{IPAc-pl|b|r|a|'|ń|e1|w|o}}) ({{langx|de|Braunsberg in Ostpreußen}}, {{langx|la|Brunsberga}}, ]: ''Brus''), is a ] in northern ], in ], in the ], with a population of 16,907 as of June 2021.<ref name = population /> It is the capital of ].

Braniewo is the second biggest city of ] after ] and one of the historical centers of the region.


== Location == == Location ==
Braniewo lies on the ] River about 5&nbsp;km from the ], about 35&nbsp;km northeast of ] and {{convert|55|km|0|abbr=on}} southwest of ] . The Polish border with Russia's ] lies 6&nbsp;km north, and may be reached from Braniewo via National Highway (Droga Krajowa) 54. Braniewo lies on the ] River about 5&nbsp;km from the ], about 35&nbsp;km northeast of ] and {{convert|55|km|0|abbr=on}} southwest of ] ({{langx|pl|Królewiec}}). The Polish border with Russia's ] lies 6&nbsp;km north, and may be reached from Braniewo via ].


==History== ==History==
===Middle Ages===
]]]
According to the German geographer ] (1748–1812), the town originally was named Brunsberg after ] (1205–1281), bishop of ] in ], who accompanied King ] in 1254 and 1267 when the latter participated in the crusade of the ] against the ].<ref>Bruno von Schauenburg is also known as the founder of the village of ] in ], the German name of which also is ''Braunsberg''.</ref> It has also been suggested that the name ''Braunsberg'' might stem from ''Brusebergue'' ("camp of the Prussians"), but this notion is not documented.


In 1243, the settlement and the surrounding region of ] was given by the Teutonic Order to the newly created ], whose ] built his cathedral in the town and made it his chief residence. The city was granted ] based on those of ] in 1254, but in 1261 was destroyed and depopulated during the second of the ]. It was rebuilt in a new location in 1273 and settled by colonists from ]. In 1284, it was given a new town charter, again based on that of Lübeck. However, the next bishop, Heinrich Fleming (1278–1300), transferred the chapter from Braunsberg to Frauenburg (now ]).
])]]
According to the Gernan geographer ] (1748-1812), the town originally was named Brunsberg after Bruno von Schauenburg (1205–1281), bishop of Olmütz (]) in Moravia, who accompanied King ] in 1254 and 1267 when the latter participated in the crusade of the ] against the ].<ref>Bruno von Schauenburg is also known as the founder of the village of ] in ], the German name of which also is ''Braunsberg''.</ref> It has also been suggested that the name ''Braunsberg'' might stem from ''Brusebergue'' ("camp of the Prussians"), but this notion is not documented.


In 1296, a ] abbey was built, and in 1342, a "new town" was added. As the most important trading and harbor city in Warmia, the town prospered as member of the ], which it remained until 1608.
In 1243 the settlement and the surrounding region of ] was given by the Teutonic Order to the newly created ] of ] (]), whose ] built his cathedral in the town and made it his chief residence. The city was granted ] based on those of ] in 1254, but in 1261 was destroyed and depopulated during the second of the ]. It was rebuilt in a new location in 1273 and settled by colonists from ]. In 1284 it was given a new town charter, again based on that of Lübeck. However, the next bishop, Heinrich Fleming (1278–1300), transferred the chapter from Braunsberg to Frauenburg (now ]).
In 1440, the town was one of the founding members of the ], which opposed Teutonic rule,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Górski|first=Karol|title=Związek Pruski i poddanie się Prus Polsce: zbiór tekstów źródłowych|year=1949|publisher=Instytut Zachodni|location=Poznań|page=11|language=pl}}</ref> and upon the request of which King ] incorporated the territory to the ] in 1454. The town pledged allegiance to the Polish King and recognized his rule in March 1454 in ].<ref>Górski, p. 72</ref> After the subsequent ], the Teutonic Knights renounced any claims to the town in the ] in 1466.<ref>Górski, p. 99</ref> Administratively, it was part of the ] in the new autonomous province of ], later on also in the ].


===Modern era===
In 1296 a ] abbey was built, and in 1342 a "new town" was added. As the most important trading and harbor city in Warmia, the town prospered as member of the ], which it remained until 1608.
After the secularization of the Teutonic Order in 1525, a large part of its residents converted to ] ]. Duke ], who had been grand master of the Order, sought to unite Warmia with Ducal Prussia (a nearby vassal state of Poland), causing the Catholics of the town to swear allegiance to the king of Poland in return for aid against Protestant Prussia. In 1526 a Polish royal commission released Braunsberg burghers from the oath to the Polish king and handed the town back to ] ]. However, just like the entire area of Warmia, Braunsberg swore allegiance to the ]s of Warmia, who were subjects of the popes. Additionally, it had to denounce all Lutheran teachings and hand over Lutheran writings. Thereafter Warmia remained predominantly Roman Catholic (even after the ], when it became part of ] in 1772).
It remained a part of the ] until 1466, when as a consequence of the ] ending the ], it came under jurisdiction of the ] as part of the new autonomous province of ].


])]]
After the secularization of the Teutonic Order in 1525, a large part of its residents converted to ] ]. Duke ], who had been grand master of the Order, sought to unite Warmia with Ducal Prussia, causing the Catholics of the town to swear allegiance to the king of Poland in return for aid against Protestant Prussia. In 1526 a Polish royal commission released Braunsberg burghers from the oath to the Polish king and handed the town back to ] ]. However, just like the entire area of Warmia, Braunsberg swore allegiance to the ]s of Warmia, who were subjects of the popes. Additionally, it had to denounce all Lutheran teachings and hand over Lutheran writings. Thereafter Warmia, though inhabited in part by ethnic Germans, remained predominantly Roman Catholic (even after it became part of ] in 1772).
Braniewo was occupied by ] for about three years during the ] in the 16th century. In Warmia, Lutheran teachings again were suppressed when Prince-Bishop ] (1504–1579) brought in the ] and founded the ] ]. Among the students of the school were Polish Catholic Saint ], Polish statesmen and high dignitaries ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kalwaria.eu/strona/dzieje-rodu-zebrzydowskich|title=Dzieje Rodu Zebrzydowskich|website=Kalwaria.eu|access-date=11 July 2020|language=pl}}</ref> and ], Europe's most prominent 17th-century Latin poet ],<ref>Maciej Kazimierz Sarblewski, ''Epigrammatum liber/Księga epigramatów'', Wydawnictwo IBL, 2003, p. 6 (in Polish)</ref> missionary, explorer, mathematician, astronomer and sinologist ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ipsb.nina.gov.pl/a/biografia/jan-mikolaj-smogulecki-h-grzymala|title=Jan Mikołaj Smogulecki h. Grzymała|website=Internetowy Polski Słownik Biograficzny|author=Ludwik Grzebień|access-date=11 July 2020|language=pl}}</ref> and Primate of Poland ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prymaspolski.pl/prymasi/gabriel-podoski/|title=Gabriel Podoski|website=Prymas Polski|access-date=1 July 2020|language=pl}}</ref> Prominent ] Renaissance poet ] stayed in the town in 1590–1591.<ref>Mike Pincombe "Life and Death on the Habsburg–Ottoman Frontier: Bálint Balassi's 'In Laudem Confiniorum' and Other Soldier-sings', in "Borders and Travellers in Early Modern Europe", edited by Thomas Betteridge, Ashgate, 2007, p. 85</ref> A priestly seminary was added in 1564. ] later added a papal mission seminary for northern and eastern European countries. ] (1552–1613), a native of Braunsberg (Braniewo), founded the ] Order of Sisters in the town, recognized by the church in 1583. The Jesuit theologian ] was instrumental in enlarging the Collegium Hosianum in the 1580s to counter the growing Protestant movement.
]
The Polish, and mainly Catholic town was annexed by the mostly Protestant ] in 1772 during the ] and made part of the newly formed province of ] the following year.


===19th and 20th centuries===
Braniewo was occupied by ] for about three years during the ] in the 16th century. In Warmia, Lutheran teachings again were suppressed when Prince-Bishop ] (1504-1579) brought in the ] and founded the ] ]. A priestly seminary was added in 1564. ] later added a papal mission seminary for northern and eastern European countries. ] (1552-1613), a native of Braunsberg (Braniewo), founded the ] Order of Sisters in the town, recognized by the church in 1583. The Jesuit theologian ] was instrumental in enlarging the Collegium Hosianum in the 1580s to counter the growing Protestant movement.
] in the 1840s]]
Braunsberg obtained its first railway connection with the rest of the kingdom via the ] in 1852. In the early 20th century, the town was the leading academic center of East Prussia next to ]. In 1912 the ] college became the State Academy of Braunsberg (German: ''Staatliche Akademie Braunsberg''). Prior to World War II, the population of Braunsberg had grown to more than 21,000, of whom 59 percent were listed as Catholic and 29 percent Protestant.


The Second World War turned much of the town into ruins. After three and a half years of savage warfare, Soviet forces began their assault on German land by attacking East Prussia on Jan. 13, 1945. Red Army formations reached the Vistula Lagoon north of Braunsberg on Jan. 26. In early February, German civilians began fleeing from Braunsberg across the ice of the frozen lagoon to the ], from which many journeyed to either ] (Gdańsk) or ] (Baltiysk), and managed to board German ships that made the ]. Braunsberg was captured by Soviet troops on March 20, 1945.
] train station, Braniewo, 2010]]
{{multiple image |align=right |caption_align=center |perrow=2 |total_width=350
The Polish, and mainly Catholic town was annexed by the mostly Protestant ] in 1772 during the ] and made part of the province of ] the following year. Braunsberg obtained its first railway connection with the rest of the kingdom via the ] in 1852. In the early 20th century, the town was the leading academic center of East Prussia next to ]. In 1912 the ] college became the State Academy of Braunsberg (German: ''Staatliche Akademie Braunsberg''). Prior to World War II, the population of Braunsberg had grown to more than 21,000, of whom 59 percent were listed as Catholic and 29 percent Protestant. In Braniewo and surroundings a powerful Germanization movement, directed from Berlin, took place, which, among others, prohibited native Poles from speaking Polish under penalty of imprisonment, or forbade those who declared Polish nationality from owning land. This action largerly contributed to the artificially inflated numbers of "Germans" in the area.
| header = Historic architecture of Braniewo (examples)
The Second World War turned much of the town into ruins. After three and a half years of savage warfare, Soviet forces began their assault on German occupied territory by attacking East Prussia on Jan. 13, 1945. Red Army formations reached the Vistula Lagoon (German: Frisches Haff) north of Braunsberg on Jan. 26. In early February German civilians began fleeing from Braunsberg across the ice of the frozen lagoon to the ] (German: Frische Nehrung; Polish: Mierzeja Wiślana), from which many journeyed to either Danzig ], (now in Poland) or Pillau (now ], Russia) and managed to board German ships that made the perilous voyage westward. Braunsberg was captured by Soviet troops on March 20, 1945.
| image1 = Braniewo zespół murów obronnych wieża.JPG
| image2 = 20100704 Braniewo, church 2, 1.jpg
| image3 = Braniewo Sądowa 1.JPG
| image4 = Braniewo Kościuszki 108-007.JPG
| image5 = Braniewo 012.jpg
| image6 = Braniewo - kościół ewangelicki ob. rzym.-kat. św. Antoniego.jpg
| caption1 = Defensive walls and towers
| caption2 = Holy Cross Sanctuary
| caption3 = Courthouse
| caption4 = Old granary
| caption5 = Monastery of Saint Catherine
| caption6 = Saint Anthony church
}}


Heavy fighting and wanton destruction afterwards had left the town about 80 percent destroyed, including much of its historic town center, largely consumed by fire. Under the Soviet Union's re-drawing of borders within the ], the town became again part of Poland, and was partially repopulated by Polish settlers, many of whom came from areas of eastern Poland ].
]
At the end of the war and thereafter, those German residents who had not fled or been killed were ] to what remained of Germany. Under border changes promulgated at the ], the region was returned to Poland and the town became Braniewo, being gradually repopulated by Polish settlers, many from areas of eastern Poland annexed by the Soviet Union under terms of the 1939 ]. Heavy fighting and wanton destruction afterwards had left the town about 80 percent destroyed, including much of its historic town center, largely consumed by fire.


In 2001 the St. Catherine Church, built in 1346, destroyed in 1945, and rebuilt after 1979, was declared a Basilica Minor. This Gothic Hall church was built on a site which had held a previous wooden Church of St. Catherine since 1280. Prince-Bishop ] of Warmia (1447-1512) had added extensively to the original building. In 2001 the St. Catherine Church, built in 1346, destroyed in 1945, and rebuilt after 1979, was declared a Basilica Minor. This Gothic Hall church was built on a site which had held a previous wooden Church of St. Catherine since 1280. Prince-Bishop ] of Warmia (1447–1512) had added extensively to the original building.


===Number of inhabitants by year=== ===Number of inhabitants by year===
Line 71: Line 109:
|- |-
! Year ! Year
! Number ! Number
|- |-
| 1782 || align="right" | 4,370 | 1782 || align="right" | 4,370
|- |-
| 1831 || align="right" | 7,144 | 1831 || align="right" | 7,144
|- |-
| 1900 || align="right" | 12,497 | 1900 || align="right" | 12,497
Line 84: Line 122:
|- |-
| 2004 || align="right" | 18,068 | 2004 || align="right" | 18,068
|-
| 2021<ref name = population /> || align="right" | 16,907
|} |}


==Political timeline== ===Political timeline===
*1240 first mentioned as part of the ]

*1240 first mentioned as part of the ] of the ]
*1254 ] rights granted *1254 ] rights granted
*1454 incorporation to the ], upon the request of the ]
*1466 ]: became part of the ] of ] and ] in Poland
*1466 ]: recognized as part of Poland, administratively part of the ] in the province of ], after 1569 in the ] of ]
*1772 ] of Poland: became part of the ]
*1772 ]: became part of the ]
*1871 ] founded: the town automatically part of it *1871 ] founded: the town automatically part of it
*1945 Occupation by ] ], then became part of ] *1945 Occupation by ] ], ].

==Economy==
The '']'' ("Braniewo Brewery") is located in the town.

==Sports==
The local ] team is {{interlanguage link|Zatoka Braniewo|pl}}, which competes in the lower leagues.


==Notable residents== ==Notable residents==
] and defensive walls]]
* ] (1504–1579), prince-bishop.
* ] (1504–1579), Polish Catholic cardinal, prince-bishop, founder of the ]
* ] (1522–1613), charity pioneer.
* ] (1522–1613), Polish Catholic nun, charity pioneer.
* ] (1591–1657), Polish missionary, martyr and Catholic saint.
* ] (1810–1878), German politician and general. * ] (1810–1878), German politician and general.
* ] (1815–1897), German mathematician. * ] (1815–1897), German mathematician.
* ] (1828–1868), German newspaper correspondent and soldier. * ] (1828–1868), German newspaper correspondent and soldier.
* ] (1852–1918), German historian * ] (1852–1918), German historian
* ] (1857–1928) an Austrian astronomer. * ] (1857–1928), Austrian astronomer.
* ] (1910-1995), German civil engineer, inventor and computer pioneer. * ] (1910–1995), German civil engineer, inventor and computer pioneer.
* ] (1924–2006), German politician (Christian Democratic Union). * ] (1924–2006), German politician (Christian Democratic Union).
* ] (born 1938), postwar German general (]). * ] (born 1938), postwar German general (]).
* ] (born 1987), Polish footballer (soccer player) on several British teams. * ] (born 1987), Polish footballer (soccer player) on several British teams.
* ] (born 1992), World famous sex symbol * ] (born 1992), Polish footballer for Zatoka Braniewo
* ] (born 1994), Freaky dog lover


==International relations== ==International relations==
Line 115: Line 162:
===Twin towns — sister cities=== ===Twin towns — sister cities===
Braniewo is ] with: Braniewo is ] with:
*{{flagicon|RUS}} ], ]
*{{flagicon|GER}} ], ] *{{flagicon|GER}} ], ]
*{{flagicon|CZE}} ], ]

Former twin towns:
*{{flagicon|RUS}} ], ]

In March 2022, Braniewo terminated its partnership with the Russian city of Zelenogradsk as a reaction to the ].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://bogatyregion.pl/warmia-i-mazury/braniewo/2022/03/03/braniewo-zrywa-wspolprace-z-rosyjskimi-miastami-partnerskimi/ |language=pl |title=Braniewo zrywa współpracę z rosyjskimi miastami partnerskimi |access-date = 14 March 2022}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
Line 125: Line 177:
{{NIE Poster|year=1905|Braunsberg}} {{NIE Poster|year=1905|Braunsberg}}
{{EB1911 poster|Braunsberg}} {{EB1911 poster|Braunsberg}}
* {{pl icon}} * {{in lang|pl}}
* {{pl icon}} * {{in lang|pl}}
* {{pl icon}} * {{in lang|pl}}
* {{pl icon}} * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303211937/http://braniewo.info/ |date=2009-03-03 }} {{in lang|pl}}
* {{pl icon}} * {{in lang|pl}}
* {{pl icon}} * {{in lang|pl}}
* {{de icon}}
*{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{de icon}}

{{Coord|54|23|N|19|49|E|region:PL_type:city|display=title}}


{{Braniewo County}} {{Braniewo County}}
{{Gmina Braniewo}} {{Gmina Braniewo}}
{{Authority control}}


] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 15:41, 21 November 2024

Place in Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland
Braniewo
Saint Catherine BasilicaHoly Cross SanctuaryOld granaryMunicipal office
  • From top, left to right: Saint Catherine Basilica
  • Holy Cross Sanctuary
  • Old granary
  • Municipal office
Flag of BraniewoFlagCoat of arms of BraniewoCoat of arms
Braniewo is located in PolandBraniewoBraniewo
Coordinates: 54°23′N 19°50′E / 54.383°N 19.833°E / 54.383; 19.833
Country Poland
Voivodeship Warmian-Masurian
CountyBraniewo
GminaBraniewo (urban gmina)
Established13th century
Town rights1284
Government
 • MayorTomasz Sielicki (PSL)
Area
 • Total12.36 km (4.77 sq mi)
Population
 • Total16,907
 • Density1,400/km (3,500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code14-500
Area code+48 55
Car platesNBR
ClimateDfb
National road
Voivodeship roads
Websitehttp://www.braniewo.pl/

Braniewo () (German: Braunsberg in Ostpreußen, Latin: Brunsberga, Old Prussian: Brus), is a town in northern Poland, in Warmia, in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, with a population of 16,907 as of June 2021. It is the capital of Braniewo County.

Braniewo is the second biggest city of Warmia after Olsztyn and one of the historical centers of the region.

Location

Braniewo lies on the Pasłęka River about 5 km from the Vistula Lagoon, about 35 km northeast of Elbląg and 55 km (34 mi) southwest of Kaliningrad (Polish: Królewiec). The Polish border with Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast lies 6 km north, and may be reached from Braniewo via National road 54.

History

Middle Ages

Remains of the Braniewo Castle

According to the German geographer Johann Friedrich Goldbeck (1748–1812), the town originally was named Brunsberg after Bruno von Schauenburg (1205–1281), bishop of Olomouc in Moravia, who accompanied King Ottokar II of Bohemia in 1254 and 1267 when the latter participated in the crusade of the Teutonic Knights against the Old Prussians. It has also been suggested that the name Braunsberg might stem from Brusebergue ("camp of the Prussians"), but this notion is not documented.

In 1243, the settlement and the surrounding region of Warmia was given by the Teutonic Order to the newly created Bishopric of Warmia, whose bishop built his cathedral in the town and made it his chief residence. The city was granted town privileges based on those of Lübeck in 1254, but in 1261 was destroyed and depopulated during the second of the Prussian Uprisings. It was rebuilt in a new location in 1273 and settled by colonists from Lübeck. In 1284, it was given a new town charter, again based on that of Lübeck. However, the next bishop, Heinrich Fleming (1278–1300), transferred the chapter from Braunsberg to Frauenburg (now Frombork).

In 1296, a Franciscan abbey was built, and in 1342, a "new town" was added. As the most important trading and harbor city in Warmia, the town prospered as member of the Hanseatic League, which it remained until 1608. In 1440, the town was one of the founding members of the Prussian Confederation, which opposed Teutonic rule, and upon the request of which King Casimir IV Jagiellon incorporated the territory to the Kingdom of Poland in 1454. The town pledged allegiance to the Polish King and recognized his rule in March 1454 in Kraków. After the subsequent Thirteen Years' War, the Teutonic Knights renounced any claims to the town in the Second Peace of Thorn in 1466. Administratively, it was part of the Prince-Bishopric of Warmia in the new autonomous province of Royal Prussia, later on also in the Greater Poland Province.

Modern era

After the secularization of the Teutonic Order in 1525, a large part of its residents converted to Lutheran Protestantism. Duke Albert, who had been grand master of the Order, sought to unite Warmia with Ducal Prussia (a nearby vassal state of Poland), causing the Catholics of the town to swear allegiance to the king of Poland in return for aid against Protestant Prussia. In 1526 a Polish royal commission released Braunsberg burghers from the oath to the Polish king and handed the town back to Prince-Bishop Mauritius Ferber. However, just like the entire area of Warmia, Braunsberg swore allegiance to the Prince-Bishops of Warmia, who were subjects of the popes. Additionally, it had to denounce all Lutheran teachings and hand over Lutheran writings. Thereafter Warmia remained predominantly Roman Catholic (even after the Partitions of Poland, when it became part of Prussia in 1772).

17th-century view of the town (from Altes und neues Preussen, Christoph Hartknoch)

Braniewo was occupied by Sweden for about three years during the Livonian War in the 16th century. In Warmia, Lutheran teachings again were suppressed when Prince-Bishop Stanislaus Hosius (1504–1579) brought in the Jesuits and founded the Collegium Hosianum school. Among the students of the school were Polish Catholic Saint Andrew Bobola, Polish statesmen and high dignitaries Mikołaj Zebrzydowski and Piotr Gembicki, Europe's most prominent 17th-century Latin poet Maciej Kazimierz Sarbiewski, missionary, explorer, mathematician, astronomer and sinologist Jan Mikołaj Smogulecki, and Primate of Poland Gabriel Podoski. Prominent Hungarian Renaissance poet Bálint Balassi stayed in the town in 1590–1591. A priestly seminary was added in 1564. Pope Gregory XIII later added a papal mission seminary for northern and eastern European countries. Regina Protmann (1552–1613), a native of Braunsberg (Braniewo), founded the Saint Catherine Order of Sisters in the town, recognized by the church in 1583. The Jesuit theologian Antonius Possevinus was instrumental in enlarging the Collegium Hosianum in the 1580s to counter the growing Protestant movement.

Potocki Palace

The Polish, and mainly Catholic town was annexed by the mostly Protestant Kingdom of Prussia in 1772 during the First Partition of Poland and made part of the newly formed province of East Prussia the following year.

19th and 20th centuries

Collegium Hosianum in the 1840s

Braunsberg obtained its first railway connection with the rest of the kingdom via the Prussian Eastern Railway in 1852. In the early 20th century, the town was the leading academic center of East Prussia next to Königsberg. In 1912 the Jesuit college became the State Academy of Braunsberg (German: Staatliche Akademie Braunsberg). Prior to World War II, the population of Braunsberg had grown to more than 21,000, of whom 59 percent were listed as Catholic and 29 percent Protestant.

The Second World War turned much of the town into ruins. After three and a half years of savage warfare, Soviet forces began their assault on German land by attacking East Prussia on Jan. 13, 1945. Red Army formations reached the Vistula Lagoon north of Braunsberg on Jan. 26. In early February, German civilians began fleeing from Braunsberg across the ice of the frozen lagoon to the Vistula Spit, from which many journeyed to either Danzig (Gdańsk) or Pillau (Baltiysk), and managed to board German ships that made the perilous voyage westward. Braunsberg was captured by Soviet troops on March 20, 1945.

Historic architecture of Braniewo (examples)Defensive walls and towersHoly Cross SanctuaryCourthouseOld granaryMonastery of Saint CatherineSaint Anthony church

Heavy fighting and wanton destruction afterwards had left the town about 80 percent destroyed, including much of its historic town center, largely consumed by fire. Under the Soviet Union's re-drawing of borders within the Potsdam Agreement, the town became again part of Poland, and was partially repopulated by Polish settlers, many of whom came from areas of eastern Poland annexed by the Soviet Union.

In 2001 the St. Catherine Church, built in 1346, destroyed in 1945, and rebuilt after 1979, was declared a Basilica Minor. This Gothic Hall church was built on a site which had held a previous wooden Church of St. Catherine since 1280. Prince-Bishop Lucas Watzenrode of Warmia (1447–1512) had added extensively to the original building.

Number of inhabitants by year

Year Number
1782 4,370
1831 7,144
1900 12,497
1925 13,900
1939 21,142
2004 18,068
2021 16,907

Political timeline

Economy

The Browar Braniewo ("Braniewo Brewery") is located in the town.

Sports

The local football team is Zatoka Braniewo [pl], which competes in the lower leagues.

Notable residents

Collegium Hosianum and defensive walls

International relations

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

Twin towns — sister cities

Braniewo is twinned with:

Former twin towns:

In March 2022, Braniewo terminated its partnership with the Russian city of Zelenogradsk as a reaction to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

References

  1. ^ "Local Data Bank". Statistics Poland. Retrieved 2022-06-01. Data for territorial unit 2802011.
  2. Bruno von Schauenburg is also known as the founder of the village of Brušperk in Bohemia, the German name of which also is Braunsberg.
  3. Górski, Karol (1949). Związek Pruski i poddanie się Prus Polsce: zbiór tekstów źródłowych (in Polish). Poznań: Instytut Zachodni. p. 11.
  4. Górski, p. 72
  5. Górski, p. 99
  6. "Dzieje Rodu Zebrzydowskich". Kalwaria.eu (in Polish). Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  7. Maciej Kazimierz Sarblewski, Epigrammatum liber/Księga epigramatów, Wydawnictwo IBL, 2003, p. 6 (in Polish)
  8. Ludwik Grzebień. "Jan Mikołaj Smogulecki h. Grzymała". Internetowy Polski Słownik Biograficzny (in Polish). Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  9. "Gabriel Podoski". Prymas Polski (in Polish). Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  10. Mike Pincombe "Life and Death on the Habsburg–Ottoman Frontier: Bálint Balassi's 'In Laudem Confiniorum' and Other Soldier-sings', in "Borders and Travellers in Early Modern Europe", edited by Thomas Betteridge, Ashgate, 2007, p. 85
  11. "Braniewo zrywa współpracę z rosyjskimi miastami partnerskimi" (in Polish). Retrieved 14 March 2022.

External links

Gminas of Braniewo County
Seat
Urban-rural gminas
Rural gminas
Gmina Braniewo
Seat (not part of the gmina)
Villages
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