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| website = http://www.ustka.pl }} | website = http://www.ustka.pl }}
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'''Ustka''' ({{lang-de|Stolpmünde}}; ] and ]: ''Ùskô'') is a town in the ] region of northwestern ] with 17,100 inhabitants (2001). It is also part of ] in ] since 1999, and was previously in ] (1975-1998). '''Ustka''' ({{lang-de|Stolpmünde}}; ] and ]: ''Ùskô'') is a town in the ] region of northwestern ] with 17,100 inhabitants (2001). It is also part of ] in ] since 1999, and was previously in ] (1975-1998).


Ustka is a popular tourist destination and a fishing port on the south coasts of the ]. For a number of years, following the political changes in ], the town has won a string of local awards for the best summer place in the country. After the collapse of the Ustka Shipyard, the only shipyard in ] to have manufactured fire-proof lifeboats, and a number of ]s, the local authorities put tourism as a primary source of income for the town. Since the end of the 19th century, Ustka has been recognised as a summer holiday resort and various illnesses treament and recovery centre. Ustka is a popular tourist destination and a fishing port on the south coasts of the ]. For a number of years, following the political changes in ], the town has won a string of local awards for the best summer place in the country. After the collapse of the Ustka Shipyard, the only shipyard in ] to have manufactured fire-proof lifeboats, and a number of ]s, the local authorities put tourism as a primary source of income for the town. Since the end of the 19th century, Ustka has been recognised as a summer holiday resort and various illnesses treament and recovery centre.


There are two beaches in Ustka. The Eastern Beach and the Western Beach, divided by the river ]. Since the eastern part of the town contains the centre, the Eastern Beach is more popular than the Western Beach. The Western Beach runs into the territory of the Navy Training Centre (], ]), access to which was restricted beyond a certain point in the west. However, much more popular, developed and facilitated with numerous bars, restaurants, a concert hall, and a waterfront promenade (built in 1875), the Eastern Beach is more prone to ] (the ] of the sea). The maintenance of the beach, which after the winter storm season becomes very narrow, is one the considerable expenses of Ustka authorities. The Eastern Beach is signified by high sand cliffs. The Western Beach is flat. In the summertime, there is a regular ferry service linking both beaches. The nearest and only bridge over the river Slupia is located outside the centre, in the western part of the town - just beyond the main railway station. There are two beaches in Ustka. The Eastern Beach and the Western Beach, divided by the river ]. Since the eastern part of the town contains the centre, the Eastern Beach is more popular than the Western Beach. The Western Beach runs into the territory of the Navy Training Centre (CSSMW, ''Centrum Szkolenia Specjalistów Marynarki Wojennej''), access to which was restricted beyond a certain point in the west. However, much more popular, developed and facilitated with numerous bars, restaurants, a concert hall, and a waterfront promenade (built in 1875), the Eastern Beach is more prone to "abrasia" (the ] of the sea). The maintenance of the beach, which after the winter storm season becomes very narrow, is one the considerable expenses of Ustka authorities. The Eastern Beach is signified by high sand cliffs. The Western Beach is flat. In the summertime, there is a regular ferry service linking both beaches. The nearest and only bridge over the river Slupia is located outside the centre, in the western part of the town - just beyond the main railway station.


The railway in Ustka was opened in 1878. The rails were transported by the sea and the bedding for the track was formed by sand taken from the dunes on the Western Beach. The first passenger train departed Ustka (then Stolpmünde) on 1 October 1878. The rail was also used as a main transport facilitating the trade from the harbour. The rail track was extended to run into the harbour, trading mostly grain and spirits. Records state that in 1887, the Ustka harbour shipped 5 million litres of plain spirits. The Harbour declined after the ], fishing taking priority from trade. The current shape of the harbour is a result of a main investment between 1899 and 1903, which made Ustka the largest port between ] and ]. The railway in Ustka was opened in 1878. The rails were transported by the sea and the bedding for the track was formed by sand taken from the dunes on the Western Beach. The first passenger train departed Ustka (then Stolpmünde) on 1 October 1878. The rail was also used as a main transport facilitating the trade from the harbour. The rail track was extended to run into the harbour, trading mostly grain and spirits. Records state that in 1887, the Ustka harbour shipped 5 million litres of plain spirits. The Harbour declined after the ], fishing taking priority from trade. The current shape of the harbour is a result of a main investment between 1899 and 1903, which made Ustka the largest port between ] and ].
Following the creation of the ], the German province of ] returned to its former status as an exclave which it enjoyed in 1657-1772 as part of Brandenburg. In 1922 the Seedienst Ostpreußen ("Sea Service East Prussia") was established by the German Ministry for Transport to have a ferry connection to East Prussia that was not dependent on the transit through Polish territory. These ships also harboured to Ustka. Because of the increasing requirements it was planned to enlarge and modernize Ustka's harbour. The gigantic investment kicked off at the beginning of 1938. A third pier was started to create a massive station for the largest vessels. The construction of the new port was halted on 23 September 1939 after the ] made the Sea Service redundant. The unfinished third pier battered by the sea attracts legends and myths related to ] operations in the ]. Following the creation of the ] after ], the ] established the ] which separated the German province of ], once a part of Brandenburg (1657-1772), from Germany proper. In 1922 the German Ministry for Transport established a ferry connection to East Prussia ("Sea Service East Prussia" or ''Seedienst Ostpreußen'') so as not to be dependent on the transit through Polish territory. These ships also harboured in Ustka. Because of the increasing traffic it was planned for the harbour to be enlarged and modernized. The gigantic new development kicked off at the beginning of 1938. A third pier was started as docking station for the largest vessels. The construction of the new port was halted on 23 September 1939 after the ]. The unfinished third pier battered by the sea attracts legends and myths related to ] operations in the ].


The old part of the town has retained its layout since the ]. The small residential buildings were modernised in the thirties of the 19th century, however the layout of the streets was not changed. Since 2005, Ustka's authorities and the ] embarked on the Revitilisation Programme for Old Ustka. Many buildings have and are being restored. The old part of the town has retained its layout since the ]. The small residential buildings were modernised in the thirties of the 19th century, however the layout of the streets was not changed. Since 2005, Ustka's authorities and the ] embarked on the Revitilisation Programme for Old Ustka. Many buildings have and are being restored.


Monuments in the town include a lighthouse from 1871 (rebuilt to include the octagonal tower in 1892), Main Post Office from 1875 and church from 1882. The first historic records of Ustka mention the village of Ujsc or Ujscie of ] in 1310. Later on, it became ] due to German settlers entering the area, invited by the Slavic ]. As '''Stolpmünde''' it became part of the ], the ], the ] and, ]. In 1945 the city was ceded to ] at the ]; its population was ] to western ]. The town was resettled by ] refugees from ] and by colonists from central ]. Monuments in the town include a lighthouse from 1871 (rebuilt to include the octagonal tower in 1892), Main Post Office from 1875 and church from 1882. The first historic records of Ustka mention the village of Ujsc or Ujscie of ] in 1310. Later on, it became ] due to German settlers entering the area, invited by the Slavic ]. As Stolpmünde it became part of the ], the ], the ] and, ]. In 1945 the city was ceded to ] at the ]; its German population ] mostly to western ]. The town was resettled by ] refugees from ] and from the ] and central ].


After ], Ustka struggled clarifying its official name. It was know as: Ujść, Uszcz, Ustka - all three posted on the main railway station at a time in 1945, Nowy Słupsk - as stated at the Main Post Office, Postomino - as stated at the Townhall, Słupioujście - as stated at the Harbour Master's Office, and Ujście. The final name, Ustka, was decided upon in the late 1940s. After ], Ustka embarked at clarifying its official name. It was know as: Ujść, Uszcz, Ustka - all three posted on the main railway station in 1945, Nowy Słupsk - as stated at the Main Post Office, Postomino - as stated at the Townhall; Słupioujście - as stated at the Harbour Master's Office, and Ujście. The final name, Ustka, was decided upon in the late 1940s.


Near Ustka is a military exercise area from which ] were launched in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Near Ustka is a military exercise area from which ] were launched in the late 1960s and early 1970s.


Ustka is a host of the annual International Contest of Fireworks, which takes place in the middle of July. Ustka is a host of the annual International Contest of Fireworks, which takes place in the middle of July.
{{wide image|Ustka panorama.jpg|1000px|Panoramic view of beach and port in Ustka seen from pier}} <div style="width:100%; overflow:auto; padding:0px; text-align:left; border:solid 1px; color:gray" title="panorama">]</div><br style="clear:both;"/>

<br clear="left">
== Recent population growth ==
== Population ==
*1960: 6,100<br>
<!-50: ? inhabitants -->
1960: 6,100 *1970: 9,000<br>
<br> 1970: 9,<br> 1975: 12,400 *1975: 12,400<br>
<br> 1980: 15,200 *1980: 15,200<br>
*2001: 17,100
<!-- <br> 1990: ? inhabitants -->
<!-- <br> 2000: ? inhabitants -->
<br> 2001: 17,100


==Twin towns== ==Twin towns==
{{commons|Ustka}}
{{commons|Historia Ustki}}
{{commons|Historia Ustki po II Wojnie Światowej|Dziedzictwo Kultury}}
], ], ], ] ], ], ], ]


== External links == == External links ==
{{commons|Ustka}}
{{commons|Historia Ustki}}
{{commons|Historia Ustki po II Wojnie Światowej|Dziedzictwo Kultury}}
* {{pl icon}} * {{pl icon}}
* *

Revision as of 04:59, 6 March 2008

Place in Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland
Ustka
Port in UstkaPort in Ustka
Flag of UstkaFlagCoat of arms of UstkaCoat of arms
Country Poland
VoivodeshipPomeranian
CountySłupsk
GminaUstka (urban gmina)
Established13th century
Town rights1935
Government
 • MayorJan Olech
Area
 • Total10.14 km (3.92 sq mi)
Elevation3 m (10 ft)
Population
 • Total16,227
 • Density1,600/km (4,100/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code76-270
Area code+48 59
Car platesGSL
Websitehttp://www.ustka.pl

Ustka (Template:Lang-de; Kashubian and Pomeranian: Ùskô) is a town in the Middle Pomerania region of northwestern Poland with 17,100 inhabitants (2001). It is also part of Słupsk County in Pomeranian Voivodeship since 1999, and was previously in Słupsk Voivodeship (1975-1998).

Ustka is a popular tourist destination and a fishing port on the south coasts of the Baltic. For a number of years, following the political changes in Poland, the town has won a string of local awards for the best summer place in the country. After the collapse of the Ustka Shipyard, the only shipyard in Poland to have manufactured fire-proof lifeboats, and a number of fish processing enterprises, the local authorities put tourism as a primary source of income for the town. Since the end of the 19th century, Ustka has been recognised as a summer holiday resort and various illnesses treament and recovery centre.

There are two beaches in Ustka. The Eastern Beach and the Western Beach, divided by the river Słupia. Since the eastern part of the town contains the centre, the Eastern Beach is more popular than the Western Beach. The Western Beach runs into the territory of the Navy Training Centre (CSSMW, Centrum Szkolenia Specjalistów Marynarki Wojennej), access to which was restricted beyond a certain point in the west. However, much more popular, developed and facilitated with numerous bars, restaurants, a concert hall, and a waterfront promenade (built in 1875), the Eastern Beach is more prone to "abrasia" (the erosion of the sea). The maintenance of the beach, which after the winter storm season becomes very narrow, is one the considerable expenses of Ustka authorities. The Eastern Beach is signified by high sand cliffs. The Western Beach is flat. In the summertime, there is a regular ferry service linking both beaches. The nearest and only bridge over the river Slupia is located outside the centre, in the western part of the town - just beyond the main railway station.

The railway in Ustka was opened in 1878. The rails were transported by the sea and the bedding for the track was formed by sand taken from the dunes on the Western Beach. The first passenger train departed Ustka (then Stolpmünde) on 1 October 1878. The rail was also used as a main transport facilitating the trade from the harbour. The rail track was extended to run into the harbour, trading mostly grain and spirits. Records state that in 1887, the Ustka harbour shipped 5 million litres of plain spirits. The Harbour declined after the World War II, fishing taking priority from trade. The current shape of the harbour is a result of a main investment between 1899 and 1903, which made Ustka the largest port between Szczecin and Gdańsk. Following the creation of the Polish state which regained independence after World War I, the Treaty of Versailles established the Polish Corridor which separated the German province of East Prussia, once a part of Brandenburg (1657-1772), from Germany proper. In 1922 the German Ministry for Transport established a ferry connection to East Prussia ("Sea Service East Prussia" or Seedienst Ostpreußen) so as not to be dependent on the transit through Polish territory. These ships also harboured in Ustka. Because of the increasing traffic it was planned for the harbour to be enlarged and modernized. The gigantic new development kicked off at the beginning of 1938. A third pier was started as docking station for the largest vessels. The construction of the new port was halted on 23 September 1939 after the German invasion of Poland. The unfinished third pier battered by the sea attracts legends and myths related to Nazi Germany operations in the World War II.

The old part of the town has retained its layout since the Middle Ages. The small residential buildings were modernised in the thirties of the 19th century, however the layout of the streets was not changed. Since 2005, Ustka's authorities and the European Union embarked on the Revitilisation Programme for Old Ustka. Many buildings have and are being restored.

Monuments in the town include a lighthouse from 1871 (rebuilt to include the octagonal tower in 1892), Main Post Office from 1875 and church from 1882. The first historic records of Ustka mention the village of Ujsc or Ujscie of Pomerania in 1310. Later on, it became Germanized due to German settlers entering the area, invited by the Slavic Dukes of Pomerania. As Stolpmünde it became part of the Kingdom of Prussia, the German Empire, the Weimar Republic and, Nazi Germany. In 1945 the city was ceded to Poland at the Potsdam Conference; its German population fled or was expelled mostly to western Germany. The town was resettled by Polish refugees from Galicia and from the eastern and central Poland.

After World War II, Ustka embarked at clarifying its official name. It was know as: Ujść, Uszcz, Ustka - all three posted on the main railway station in 1945, Nowy Słupsk - as stated at the Main Post Office, Postomino - as stated at the Townhall; Słupioujście - as stated at the Harbour Master's Office, and Ujście. The final name, Ustka, was decided upon in the late 1940s.

Near Ustka is a military exercise area from which Meteor-type sounding rockets were launched in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Ustka is a host of the annual International Contest of Fireworks, which takes place in the middle of July.

Panoramic view of beach and port in Ustka seen from pier


Recent population growth

  • 1960: 6,100
  • 1970: 9,000
  • 1975: 12,400
  • 1980: 15,200
  • 2001: 17,100

Twin towns

Bielsko-Biała, Enkhuizen, Kappeln, Słupsk

External links

54°35′N 16°51′E / 54.583°N 16.850°E / 54.583; 16.850

Category: