2. ABOUT THE CITY
Dzierżoniów is a city
located in south-west
poland, in the valley at the
foot of the Owl Mountains
to the south and the
Massif Ślęża from the
north. The city lies on the
river Piława.
3. HISTORY OF THE CITY
The legendary origins of the city began in the twelfth
century. In 1159r. Boleslaw the Curly built the St. George’s
Church.
First written traces about Dzierżoniów (Reinchenbach, as it
was German territory) come from 1250s. At the beginning of
its history Dzierżoniów was subordinated to Wrocław
princes but then it became one of the leading centers of
Świdnica-Jawor Duchy. The architectonic scheme, created
at that time, with huge market place, its Town Hall and
street coming out of the middle of its frontages may be seen
today.
In the 14th century Silesia gradually became more and
more dependent on the Czech Crown. Świdnica-Jawor
Duchy came under Prague control in 1392. the following
century passed under the shadow of Hussite revolt which
resulted in a great damage not only in Dzierżoniów but also
in the whole region cause by marching armed bands and
4. In 1526 the Bohemian Kingdom including Dzierżoniów went under
the Habsburgh's rule. In the 16th century there was a great
development of trade and handicraft as well canvas and other textile
industry. The second half of that century and the beginning of the
17th century were sometimes even called "the golden age" of the
town. Unfortunately, the fortunate period finished in 1618 with the
beginning of the Thirty Years War. Following one hundred years
were a period of a relative peace and quiet broken with the
beginning of Silesian Wars (1740-1763). As their result Dzierżoniów
like the major part of Silesia were joined to Prussia. In the years
1816-1820 our town became the capital of four regions of Silesian
province. During the Prussian reign Dzierżoniów marked its place in
history. In 1790 important diplomats from Prussia, Austria, Holland,
England and the Republic of Poland visited the town. During their
second meeting in 1813 crowned heads: Prussian king Frederic
Wilhelm III and tsar Alexander I appeared in Dzierżoniów. In 1800
Dzierżoniów also hosted John Quincy Adams, the future 6th
president of the United States of America. The 19th century - the
town and the whole region became the centre of Silesian textile
production.
5. In the half of that century because of the crisis in textile branch
Dzierżoniów faced acute workers' protests which in the history were
known as Silesian Weavers' Rebellion. The incidents of June 1848
were later described in one of the works of Nobel prize winner Gerhard
Hautmann.
In 19th century the town accomplished many communal
investments, many public buildings were constructed and many new
private houses were built. In 1855 Dzierżoniów was joined with
Świdnica by railaway and on the turn of the 19th century a local "Owl
Mountains" railway which joined Dzierżoniów and neighboring towns
was established. At the
beginning of the 20th century Dzierżoniów owning to incorporation a
small village Ernsdorf (now Lower Dzierzoniów) into its boundaries was
the sixth biggest town in Silesia.
The same century also meant two World Wars. After the Second
World War Dzierżoniów was on so called regained lands which were
joined to Poland again. Two main industries - textile and
electromechanical developed and radio-technical factory "Diora" is well-
known not only in whole Poland but also abroad. In 1946 the town’s
name was changed from Reichenbach into Dzierżoniów, after a
surmane of a famous Polish beekeeper Jan Dzierżon.
6. THE MOST IMPORTANT MONUMENTS
ST. George’s Church
Church of the Immaculate Conception of Blessed Virgin
Mary
