Reszel
Reszel | |
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 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Reszel | |
| Coordinates:54°3′5″N21°8′45″E/ 54.05139°N 21.14583°E | |
| Country |  Poland |
| Voivodeship |  Warmian-Masurian |
| County | Kętrzyn |
| Gmina | Reszel |
| Town rights | 1337 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.82 km2(1.47 sq mi) |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 4,896 |
| • Density | 1,300/km2(3,300/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1(CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2(CEST) |
| Postal code | 11-440 |
| Vehicle registration | NKE |
| Website | http://www.reszel.pl/ |
Reszel[ˈrɛʂɛl](German:Rößel;Prussian:ReselorResl) is a town in theWarmian-Masurian Voivodeship,in northeasternPoland.As of 2012 the population was 4,896. A small medieval town situated in the historicalWarmiaregion, Reszel possesses many architecturally-renowned monuments and various attractions. TheGothiccastle,the main square and the core surrounded by brick defense walls are very popular among incoming tourists.[1][2]
History
[edit]
Reszel was originally a settlement built by theBartiantribe ofOld Prussiansand conquered by theTeutonic Knightsin 1241.[3]The native Prussians later recaptured the settlement and held it for five years, but were eventually defeated by theGermancrusaders.Reszel received itstown privilegesin 1337[4]underChełmno Law.After the Polish victory in theBattle of Grunwaldin 1410, the town was briefly captured by Poles led by KingWładysław II Jagiełło.[4]
In 1440 the town joined the anti-TeutonicPrussian Confederation,and upon its request in 1454 Polish KingCasimir IV Jagiellonsigned the act of incorporation of the region along with Reszel toPoland,[5]an event that sparked theThirteen Years' War.In 1455, the Teutonic Knights captured the town and in 1462 ceded their power to the Warmian bishop, who once more in 1464 recognized the Polish King as the rightful ruler of Warmia with Reszel. The incorporation of Reszel to the Kingdom of Poland was confirmed in apeace treatysigned inToruńin 1466.[6][7]In the 17th century, theJesuitscame to Reszel and established a college in 1632 and the Polish KingJohn II Casimir Vasacreated a scholarship fund for its students.
In 1772 Reszel was annexed byPrussiain theFirst Partition of Poland,and became part of thePrussian Partitionof Poland. In the late 18th century the local parish priest was Marcin Krasicki, and he was often visited by his brotherIgnacy Krasicki,leading PolishEnlightenmentpoet and prince-bishop of Warmia.[4]
In 1811Barbara Zdunkwas sentenced by the Prussian court to death for witchcraft and setting the castle alight in 1807.[8][9]The trial is sometimes described as the last burning of witches in Europe.[9][10][11]
From 1871 the town was part of Germany and as a result of thetreaty of Versailleson 11 July 1920 the1920 East Prussian plebiscitewas organized under the control of theLeague of Nations,which resulted in 3,260 votes to remain in Germany and none for Poland, which just regained independence.[12][13]
Following thePotsdam Conferenceof 1945, just after theSecond World War,the town was transferred fromGermanyback to Poland.[4]
Tourist attractions
[edit]The main tourist attraction is the Gothic Episcopal castle. It was built 1350−1401 on a steep hill side above the right bank of the river Sajna by theTeutonic Order.
The Gothic St Peter's Church dating back to the 14th century boasts the painting of the church's patron dating back to the end of the 18th century. Other worthy of note buildings are the Jesuit complex, St John's Church and the church and convent of the nuns of the Order of St Catherine − all from the 15th and the 16th century. Large fragments of preserved defensive walls and the Classicist town hall in the market square dating back to the 19th century are also worth visiting.
Near Reszel is theCatholicshrine ofŚwięta Lipka,aBaroquechurch andLate Medievalshrine augmented in the 17th century. Since its beginning it has attractedpilgrims,Poles,GermansandLithuanians.
Sports
[edit]The localfootballteam isOrlęta Reszel.It competes in the lower leagues.
Notable residents
[edit]- Jodocus Willich(1501–1552), physician
- Barbara Zdunk(1769–1811),arsonistandwitch
- Andreas Thiel(1826–1908), Bishop ofWarmia(1885–1908)
- Julius Dinder(1830–1890),Archbishop of GnieznoandPoznań
- Karol Zalewski(born 1993), Polish athlete, Olympic medallist
Images
[edit]-
Historic city center -
Tenements, part of the gothic city center -
Town Hall -
Market Square -
Wyspiańskiego Street -
Former Jesuit College
See also
[edit]- Rema S. A.headquarters
References
[edit]- ^"Castle in Reszel".Retrieved2 April2017.
- ^"Reszel - Cittaslow International".Retrieved2 April2017.
- ^"Reszel Castle, Gmina Reszel, Poland - SpottingHistory.com".Retrieved2 April2017.
- ^abcd"Historia".Retrieved2 April2017.
- ^Karol Górski,Związek Pruski i poddanie się Prus Polsce: zbiór tekstów źródłowych,Instytut Zachodni, Poznań, 1949, p. XXXVII, 54 (in Polish)
- ^Górski, p. 99
- ^"Local history - Information about the town - Reszel - Virtual Shtetl".Retrieved2 April2017.
- ^"Burning of the Last Witch in Europe in Reszel".Retrieved2 April2017.
- ^ab"Reszel (The Town) - Further Afield - Warsaw".Retrieved2 April2017.
- ^says, Crystal Harvey (21 August 2015)."1811: Barbara Zdunk, the last witch (sort of)".Retrieved2 April2017.
- ^Fakt.pl (15 March 2016)."Spłonęła na stosie, ale wciąż jest groźna!".Retrieved2 April2017.
- ^Marzian, Herbert; Kenez, Csaba (1970).Selbstbestimmung für Ostdeutschland – Eine Dokumentation zum 50 Jahrestag der ost- und westpreussischen Volksabstimmung am 11. Juli 1920(in German). p. 115.
- ^"Historia miejscowości - Informacje o mieście - Reszel - Wirtualny Sztetl".Retrieved2 April2017.
External links
[edit]
- Municipal website(in Polish)
- Site of Reszel(in Polish)
- Site of Reszel(in English)
- Statistics of inhabitants, birth, marriage, deaths, from 1569
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