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Wroclaw - History |
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At first Wroclaw was a group of settlements around the ducal castle town, which grew in number because new settlers were steadily coming in. In 1242 this informal organization changed into a Western- type city. The city was chartered by Duke Boleslaus Rogatka, and Wroclaw became a communities civium, a legal person. In 1261 Dukes Henry III and Vladislav granted the city the privilege of having a town council, a medieval self-governing body, and, with this, the privilege of using the new Magdeburg laws. The city was also awarded a number of exemptions, and enjoyed the widest range of privileges in Lower Silesia, which boosted further development of the city and trade, which became a source of its affluence. Wroclaw's history was rather complex. In the Middle Ages Bohemia and Poland viewed for control of the city. In 1335 Wroclaw was finally incorporated into Bohemia, and 1526 saw the start of the Habsburg rule in the province. Though still dynamically developing, the city became a capital of one of the numerous provinces. It was after the city was seized by, and incorporated into, Prussia in 1741 that Wroclaw underwent a period of intense development and administrative and political reforms. Wroclaw was changed into one of the largest fortresses in Prussia, at the same time it was made a capital and resident city. On the other hand, adoption of Prussian municipal laws meant that the self-governing council was abolished, and the council became a state agency under the control of the Wroclaw Kamera. The first general elections to Wroclaw's self-government were held as late as in 1809.
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Wroclaw is one of the oldest cities in Poland. It was probably established by the Czech duke Wratislav (died 921). At the end of the 10th century it was seized by Mieszko I and incorporated into Poland as one of the ducal residences and one of the most important defensive towns in the country. Wroclaw made history, however, in the year 1,000, when at the Gniezno meeting of Boleslaus the Brave with Holy Roman Emperor Otto III the Wroclaw bishopic was established. Situated at the intersection of main trade routes,
Wroclaw was already at that time a significant centre of administration and political life and of trade and crafts.
A new period in Wroclaw's history started after the occupation by the Napoleonic army (1806-1808). After demolishing the city walls and fortifications and implementing, in 1808-1839, the act of cities by the Prussian authorities, Wroclaw was quickly changing and developing. In 1808 it incorporated the suburbs and several adjacent villages. It was only at that time that Wroclaw extended beyond the boundaries that had been restricting it since the start of the 14th century. With the territorial expansion the industries were also developing, and this was boosted by the opening of the railway line from Wroclaw to Olawa in 1842. Soon new railway connections were established, and this made Wroclaw one of the first and largest railway hubs in Europe. These developments invigorated trade in the city, and were supported by the numerous financial and insurance companies. The development of the city was abruptly stopped by World War II; as a result of the defense of Festung Breslau at the close of the war about 70 % of the city was demolished. Restored and building on its rich historical traditions, Wroclaw is now one of the most important Polish centres of administration, industry, culture and science.
