Nowogard

Nowogard
Coat of arms
Nowogard
Coordinates: 53°40′N 15°7′E / 53.667°N 15.117°E / 53.667; 15.117
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	West Pomeranian
County	Goleniów
Gmina	Nowogard
Area
– Total	12.46 km2 (4.8 sq mi)
Population (2006)
– Total	16,745
– Density	1,343.9/km2 (3,480.7/sq mi)
Postal code	72–200
Website	http://nowogard.pl

Nowogard ([nɔˈvɔɡart] (German: Naugard; Kashubian: Nowògard) is a town in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship (Province) of northwestern Poland, with some 16,733 inhabitants (2004)

Location

Situated in the Goleniow County of West Pomeranian Voivodship (since 1999), previously in Szczecin Voivodship (1975–98).

Nowogard is located 60 km to north-east from Szczecin and 55 km south of Baltic coast, near important communication route Szczecin – Koszalin – Gdańsk.

20 km from the city is the Goleniów airport, connecting to bigger cities of Poland and some cities of Western Europe. In Świnoujście (75 km away from Nowogard) there is a ferry port connecting it to Scandinavian countries.

History

According to the city's official webpage its origins go back to a fortified Slavic settlement which was the seat of the local castellan.^[1] The settlemet was first mentioned in 1268 as "Nogart" ("Nogart Castrum et villa sive oppidum episcopi Caminensis") when Barnim I, Duke of Pomerania granted it as a fief to the Bishopric of Cammin, the bishops erected a castle on the territory of the town.^[1] In 1274 the town and its surrounding area was administered by Otto von Eberstein, it remained in the possession of the "von Eberstein" family until 1663. In 1309, the town was granted German town law.

In the first half of the 14th century fortifications were erected with an oblong market square in the center of the town. The town hall and the St. Mary's Church were erected.

In 1663, after the death of the last Eberstein, Naugard became property of Ernst Bogislaw von Croÿ and in 1684 property of the electors of Brandenburg.^[1]

Throughout the Soviet East Pomeranian Offensive of World War II up to 60 percent of Naugard was destroyed.^[1] On 5 March 1945, the town was taken by the Red Army, after which it became Polish, the population fled or was expelled^{[citation needed]} and the town was resettled with Poles.

Sights

Its main tourist attraction is a large lake which extends to the center of Nowogard. Its surface covers about 1.12 square kilometres (length 2680 m; width 620 m). People fond of water sports and sun bathing have a great opportunity to relax at the lakeside or on the camping site nearby. Surrounding forests abound in mushrooms, berries and game. Its location near the beautiful lake and sandy beaches, as well as good hotel and restaurants make Nowogard the real attraction for tourists.

Nowogard's lake during winter season

Worth seeing:

• Fragments of fortifications – 14th century

• The Gothic Church of Virgin Mary built in 1330–1334 (the main nave with stellar vaults; side naves separated with huge pillars; cross – ribbed vaults. In the presbytery – the baroque altar, one of the most beautiful ones in West Pomerania; in the church tower – the bell of 1485.

• Two Romanesque baptismal fonts on both sides of the main entrance to the Church of Virgin Mary.

• Halt – timbered house – 19th century

• The site of the former castle on the island.

• Two 700 year old yew – trees – the highest in Szczecin Province (10m).

Population

• 1875: 4,765 inbabitants
• 1880: 4,949 inbabitants
• 1890: 4,872 inbabitants
• 1925: 6,302 inbabitants
• 1933: 7,356 inbabitants
• 1939: 8,202 inbabitants^[2]
• 1960: 6,500 inbabitants
• 1970: 8,800 inbabitants
• 1975: 9,900 inbabitants
• 1980: 11,300 inbabitants

As of 31 December 2003 county – 24.925, including city – 17.099 inhabitants and village – 7.826 inhabitants).

International relations

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

Twin towns — sister cities

Nowogard is twinned with:

• Gützkow, Germany
• Heide, Germany
• Kävlinge, Sweden

In 1963 the West German town of Heide took over a partnership for the expelled populace of Naugard. In 1996 this led to the signing of a contract of partnership between Heide and Nowogard in which the former populace is regarded "constitutive partners".^[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} nowogard.pl (Polish)
2. ^ verwaltungsgeschichte.de (German)
3. ^ heide.de (German)

External links

• Homepage of City
• Homepage of High School no 1

Coordinates: 53°39′N 15°07′E / 53.65°N 15.117°E / 53.65; 15.117