Świdwin

Świdwin [ˈɕfidvin] (German: Schivelbein; Kashubian: Skwilbëno) is a town in West Pomeranian Voivodeship of northwestern Poland. It is the capital of Świdwin County established 1999, previously having been in Koszalin Voivodeship (1950–1998), and the administrative seat - though not part - of the Gmina Świdwin. Świdwin is situated in the historic Pomerania region on the left banks of the Rega river, about 100 km (62 mi) east of the regional capital Szczecin and 44 km (27 mi) south of the Baltic coast at Kołobrzeg. In 2018 the town had a population of 15,725.

Świdwin
Świdwin Castle
Coat of arms
Świdwin
Coordinates: 53°47′N 15°46′E
Country Poland
VoivodeshipWest Pomeranian
CountyŚwidwin County
GminaŚwidwin (urban gmina)
Government
 • MayorPiotr Feliński
Area
 • Total22.38 km2 (8.64 sq mi)
Elevation
99 m (325 ft)
Population
 (2018[1])
 • Total15,725
 • Density702/km2 (1,820/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Zip code
78-300 do 78-301
Area code(s)+48-(0)94
Car platesZSD
Websitewww.swidwin.pl

History
Schivelbein about 1860, with the new railway line to Stargard

In the 12th century there was a gród on the trade route from the coastal city of Kołobrzeg to Greater Poland.[2] In the 13th century the settlement belonged to the Duchy of Pomerania under the Griffin duke Barnim I. In 1248 the duke ceded the area to the Bishop of Cammin, who shortly afterwards sold it to the Ascanian margraves of Brandenburg. Schivelbein was incorporated as the northeastern outpost of the Neumark region. It was granted town rights by 1296.[2] From 1373 it was part of the Lands of the Bohemian (Czech) Crown as one of its northernmost towns, in 1384 it was passed to the State of the Teutonic Order, and in 1455 to Brandenburg, which possession it remained until the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806. In 1477 a Carthusian monastery was established, which was secularized in 1539.[2] Brewing developed at that time.[2] In 1550, around 30% of the population died in an epidemic.[2] In the 17th century the town suffered as a result of two fires and the Thirty Years' War.[2] In 1816 it became part of the Prussian province of Pomerania.

The Battle of Świdwin took place south of the town during 6–7 March 1945, in which a German SS corps was encircled and destroyed by two Soviet and one Polish armies.[3] After the town was captured, a Soviet general was killed by a member of the Hitler Youth. The reprisals that followed saw the men shot, and the women and girls raped by Soviet troops.[4][5]

After World War II Schivelbein with Farther Pomerania became part of the Republic of Poland and its name changed to Świbowina, which was officially renamed to Świdwin in 1946. The town's populace that had stayed or had fled their home and returned was expelled. The town's first post-war mayor was Jan Górski, and Polish schools, institutions and factories were established, however war damage was removed until the 1950s.[2]

Population
1960: 10,000 inhabitants
1970: 12,600 inhabitants
1975: 13,500 inhabitants
1980: 14,000 inhabitants
2004: 17,000 inhabitants
2005: 16,240 inhabitants
2008: 15,486 inhabitants
2009: 15,621 inhabitants
2010: 15,503 inhabitants
2018: 15,725 inhabitants

Sights
Historic sights of Świdwin (examples)
Historic center with the Stone Gate
Our Lady of Perpetual Help church

The main historic landmarks of Świdwin are the Gothic-Baroque castle, the Gothic Stone Gate (Brama Kamienna) and the Gothic church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help from the 14th century.

Świdwin's airport

The military airport operated by the Polish Air Force is located about 5 km (3.11 mi) from the city centre. Civilians are not permitted to enter, but this airport is often used for government's aircraft. The runway is 2.5 km (1.55 mi) length and 60 m (196.85 ft) width.

Świdwin County office

Notable residents

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

Twin towns — sister cities

Świdwin is twinned with:

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References
  • Werwolf!: The History of the National Socialist Guerrilla Movement, 1944-1946, Perry Biddiscombe, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1998. ISBN 0802008623.
  • Boje Polskie 1939-1945, Krzysztof Komorowski et al., Warszawa: Bellona, 2009. ISBN 978-83-11-10357-3.

Notes
  1. "Świdwin (zachodniopomorskie)". Polska w liczbach (in Polish). Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  2. "Historia". Świdwin. Miejski portal internetowy (in Polish). Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  3. Komorowski, p. 387
  4. (Biddiscombe 1998, p. 464)
  5. (Biddiscombe 1998, p. 270)
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