Kwidzyn

Kwidzyn (former German name Marienwerder) is town in northern Poland on Liwa River, with 39,300 inhabitants (1995). Situated in the Pomeranian Voivodship since 1999, previously in Elblag Voivodship (1975-1998).

Education

• Wyższa Szkoła Zarządzania

Major corporations

• International Paper Kwidzyn SA

Sightseeing

Among its important monuments is the Gothic castle of Pomesanian bishops from 14th c., modelled on Teutonic Knights' castles, partly pulled down in 1789. From east a cathedral church is connected with castle.

History

Kwidzyn was built in the historical Prussian province of Pomesania after the conquest by Teutonic Knights. Populated by Polish settlers from Masovia became part of Masuria. After 1525 was assigned to Lutheran Duchy of Prussia, Polish fief. Between 1772 and 1818 was passed from East Prussia to newly created province of West Prussia. According to statistics, in 1818 still populated by Polish speaking, Masur majority. However, the policy of forcefull Germanisation gradually decrease the share of Polish speaking inhabitants in the social life of the province and forced them to speak German. Especially Germanisation increased after 1871, when Kwidzyn was included in Imperial Germany, so Poles lost majority. According to official statistics, in 1910? still 35,7 % of population of the County was Polish. After World War I, the Versailles Treaty returned most of West Prussia to Poland. However, the plebiscite was held in atmosphere of Polish-Soviet war so a plebiscite was held on 11 July 1920 in Warmia i Mazury and 92% of the inhabitants chose the the province of East Prussia, and the district was placed under German control 16 August.

In 1945 after Potsdam Conference Kwidzyn was assigned to Poland.