Olkusz

Olkusz [ˈɔlkuʂ] (Yiddish: עלקיש‎ Elkish, German: 1941-45 Ilkenau) is a town in south Poland with 36,607 inhabitants (2014). Situated in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship (since 1999), previously in Katowice Voivodeship (1975–1998), it is the capital of Olkusz County. From 1941 to 1945, the occupying Germans renamed the region to Ilkenau. Olkusz is called 'Silver Town" because of the large amount of silver that was found and mined here.

Olkusz
Olkusz market square
Flag
Coat of arms
Olkusz
Olkusz
Coordinates: 50°17′N 19°34′E
Country Poland
Voivodeship Lesser Poland
CountyOlkusz County
GminaGmina Olkusz
Government
 • MayorRoman Piaśnik
Area
 • Total25.63 km2 (9.90 sq mi)
Population
 (2014)
 • Total36,607
 • Density1,400/km2 (3,700/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
32-300 - 32-305
Car platesKOL
Websitehttp://www.olkusz.eu

Surroundings

The city is on the Baba (river), with a major road reaching it from Warsaw and Kraków, making it the central city of the vicinity. Tourists who wish to visit the nature and historical sites, start from here. Also, Olkusz is located on the main railroad line, which connects Upper Silesia and Zaglebie with Kielce.

On the city's website a myth is cited that the city was founded by ancient Phoenicians (Canaanites) who traveled here and found lead ore. The origin of the name Olkusz is cited as the ancient Phoenician (Canaanite Hebrew) "Elkhuds" meaning "to chisel." However, the Hebrew word for "to chisel" was "lakhrot" and the likelihood of the ancient Phoenicians having reached Poland is very low.

A first written historical document from the year 1299 refers to the city of Olkusz, located in the Lesser Poland province of the Kingdom of Poland. The city was initially ruled by ethnic Germans, and the inhabitants were mostly wealthy, due to the lead mines. Silver was discovered too. Various wars crossed the path of this city, which was at its lowest at the end of the 17th century (see: The Deluge).

Religions

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

Twin towns – Sister cities

Olkusz has a partnership with:

Notable people
Bloody Wednesday of Olkusz, photograph taken on July 31, 1940

References
  1. https://sztetl.org.pl/en/towns/o/321-olkusz/99-history/137785-history-of-community
  2. "Gemellaggi e relazioni internazionali" (official website) (in Italian). Comune di Bergamo. 7 April 2006. Archived from the original on 29 October 2007. Retrieved 2015-03-28.

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