Sosnowiec

Infobox Settlement
name = Sosnowiec


imagesize = 250px
image_caption = Środula district in Sosnowiec

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image_shield = Sosnowiec Herb.svg
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = bottom
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = POL
subdivision_type1 = Voivodeship
subdivision_name1 = Silesian
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = "city county"
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Kazimierz Górski
established_title3 = Town rights
established_date3 = 1902
area_total_km2 = 91.26
population_as_of = 2006
population_total = 225202
population_density_km2 = auto
population_metro = 3487000
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd = 50 | latm = 18 | lats = | latNS = N | longd = 19 | longm = 10 | longs = | longEW = E
elevation_m = 250
postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = 41-200 to 41-225
area_code = +48 32
blank_name = Car plates
blank_info = SO
website = http://www.sosnowiec.pl Sosnowiec Audio-IPA-pl|Sosnowiec.ogg|s|o|s|'|n|o|w|j|e|c is a city located in the south of Poland. A county capital neighbouring Katowice, and a mining and industrial region, it was one of the largest cities in the Silesian Voivodeship and Upper Silesian Industry Area. Sosnowiec belongs to Zagłębie Dąbrowskie (which is part of Lesser Poland), not to Silesia. Its population as of 2006 numbers 225,202.

It is sometimes known by the names Sosnowietz, Sosnowitz, Sosnowjyc (Silesian), Sosnovitz (Yiddish), Sosnovyts, Sosnowyts, Sosnovytz, Sosnowytz, Sosnovets (Russian), Sosnovetz. There are 5 other smaller towns in Poland also called Sosnowiec. They are located in the regions of Bydgoszcz, Kielce, Łódź, Łomża, and Opole.

History

Sosnowiec is a young town, which was granted city rights only in 1902. It was created by joining together a number of villages and settlements, often several centuries old. The oldest, of them are Milowice, Sielec and Pogoń, while Modzejów,Niwka, Środula and Radocha are not much younger.

As a result of the third partition of Poland, Sosnowiec was given to Kingdom of Prussia and then it constituted a part of the Duchy of Warsaw and Congress Poland connected with Russia. Natural resources and good geographical location had an important influence on the development of Sosnowiec. Opening of branch line of the Warsaw-Vienna Railway in 1859 was of vital importance for the growth of the town. Development of industry, resulting in opening the rope and wire factory, rolling mill, steelworks, iron foundry, steam boilers factory, and later on spinning mill, dye - house and paper mill completely changed the image of the town, as well as its character from rural into urban one. In the second half of the eighties of the previous century successful attempts to obtain city rights were undertaken.

In June 1902, by the order of tsar Nicholas II, the city of Sosnowiec was established with the area of 19 km² with 60,000 inhabitants. Obtaining the city rights started the dynamic economic and cultural development of the town. Apart from steelworks and coal-mines and many enterprises of heavy and light industry, cultural and social establishments were opened as well. The Summer Theatre, and in 1887 the Winter Theatre were established, the second of which was called City Theatre from 1924, and later the Theatre of Zagłębie. Activities of Artistic and Literary Society of Zagłębie Dąbrowskie prove that Sosnowiec as an industrial centre was not only a working class town.

Sosonowiec suffered during both wars in the 20th century, the First World War caused mainly dismantling and destruction of industry, and World War II brought about the terror and numerous executions, which however, did not diminish the courage of Sosnowiec people, many of which were active in conspiracy. January 1945 brought about the liberation of the city, which gave it a chance for further development, which takes place until now.

Economy

It is characterized by its dynamism, economic activity, and care for its cultural heritage and natural environment. In recent years, Sosnowiec has been transformed from an industrial center with mainly mining and heavy industries into a trade and services hub. However, it still has several important coal mines, steel factories and other heavy industrial plants.

Its Special Economic Zone, which was established in Sosnowiec thanks to the efforts of local authorities, has played a major role in the establishment of new businesses in the area. As a result, several companies with Polish and foreign capital have decided to place their businesses in the city. Sosnowiec City Office was awarded the ISO 9001 2001 quality certificate for its management system for providing services for the local community.

From 2006 a new trade center Expo Silesia hosts numerous trade shows.

Points of interest

*The city has a 17th century castle known as the Sielecki Castle.

Sports

* Zagłębie Sosnowiec: men's football team, Polish Cup winner: 1962, 1963, 1977, 1978
* KP Polska Energia Sosnowiec - men's volleyball team playing in Polish Volleyball League (Polska Liga Siatkówki, PLS), 5th place in season 2003/2004.

Education and Science

As well as industry, services and trade, Sosnowiec is an academic centre with a well-developed research and educational infrastructure.

* The University of Silesia (schools of modern languages, natural science, technology and a language teacher training college)
** Faculty of Earth Science
** Faculty of Computer and Materials Science
** Faculty of Philology
* The Silesian Medical Academy,
** Faculty of Pharmacy
* The private School of Marketing and Management
* The Silesian University of Technology
** Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science
* The private School of Ecology

Tourist attractions

* Sielecki Castle, 17th century
* Dietla Palace
* Schöena Palace and museum
* Katedra Wniebowzięcia NMP w Sosnowcu
* Wilhelma Palace
* Church St Tomasza
* Railway Station Sosnowiec Główny
* Railway Station Sosnowiec Maczki
* Huta Buczek

Famous people

* Bella Darvi (born Bayla Wegier)
* Igor Muzyka
* Jan Ciszewski
* Konstanty Ćwierk
* Edward Gierek
* Jędrzej Giertych
* Marian Kantor-Mirski
* Paulina Kaczanow (Marianna Rokita)
* Teresa Janina Kierocińska
* Małgorzata Maier
* Marian Malina
* Marian Masłoń
* Krzysztof Materna
* Sławomir Matusz
* Jan Przemsza-Zieliński
* Arkadiusz Rybak
* Jacek Rykała
* Vladek Spiegelman
* Włodzimierz Sedlak
* Agnieszka Solska
* Bogdan Suchodolski
* Władysław Szafer
* Henryk Średnicki
* Waldemar Wspaniały
* Grzegorz Dorman - rally racing co-driver (2007 second runner up in Eastern States Rally Championship), currently resides in Port Chester, NY, USA

Famous school

general secondary school in Sosnowiec

*II im. Emilii Plater w Sosnowcu

*III Liceum Ogólnokształcące w Sosnowcu

*IV Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. St. Staszica w Sosnowcu

Musicians
* Jacek Cygan
* Paul Godwin
* Patrycja Gola
* Jan Kiepura
* Władysław Szpilman
* Adam Szerszeń
* Marcin Oles
* Bartlomiej Oles

Rivers

*Czarna Przemsza
*Biała Przemsza
*Brynica
*Bobrek
*Potok Zagórski

District

*Dańdówka
*Dębowa Góra
*Jęzor
*Juliusz
*Kazimierz Górniczy
*Klimontów
*Maczki
*Milowice
*Modrzejów
*Niwka
*Ostra Górka
*Ostrowy Górnicze
*Pogoń district in Sosnowiec
*Porąbka
*Radocha
*Rudna district in Sosnowiec
*Sielec
*Stary Sosnowiec
*Środula
*Śródmieście in Sosnowiec
*Zagórze

Famous Music Groups

* Skankan
* Ryczące dwudziestki

Twin towns

flag|France Les Mureaux flag|Romania Suceava flag|France Roubaix flag|Hungary Komárom flag|Morocco Casablanca

External links

* [http://www.sosnowiec.pl/ Official web site of Sosnowiec]
* [http://sosnowiec.tora.art.pl/ Sosnowiec on an old photography] (in Polish)
* [http://eclipse.astroinfo.org/sofi/inter/inter/P502191.HTM Solar Elipses for Sosnowiec, 1700-2100]
* [http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/local/PLXX0022 Local weather in Sosnowiec, Weather.com]
* [http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&formtype=search&countryid=PL&addtohistory=&country=PL&city=sOSNOWIEC&submit=Get+Map Mapquest link to 6 towns in Poland called Sosnowiec]
* [http://encarta.msn.com/map_701516637/Sosnowiec.html Encarta map of Sosnowiec, Śląskie, Poland]
* [http://nowy.sosnowiec.info/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=131 Pictures of Sosnowiec] (in Polish)
* [http://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/Sosnowiec/Sosnowiec.html#Soc Yizkor book of Sosnowiec]