Wronki
Wronki [ˈvrɔŋki] (German: Wronke) is a town in the Szamotuły County, western-central Poland, situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship (since 1999), previously in Piła Voivodeship (1975–1998). It is located close to the Warta River to the northwest of Poznań on the edge of Notec Forest, and has a population of approximately 11,000.
Wronki | |
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Town hall | |
Flag Coat of arms | |
Wronki | |
Coordinates: 52°42′N 16°23′E | |
Country | Poland |
Voivodeship | Greater Poland |
County | Szamotuły |
Gmina | Wronki |
Area | |
• Total | 5.81 km2 (2.24 sq mi) |
Population (2006) | |
• Total | 11,551 |
• Density | 2,000/km2 (5,100/sq mi) |
Postal code | 64-510 |
Website | http://www.wronki.pl |
History
The town's name comes from wrona, the Polish word for a crow, which is also reflected in the town's coat of arms. It has also been spelled Wronke at times during its history, specifically during the years when it was part of Prussia/Germany (1772–1919). At the beginning of the 20th century, Jews were 18% of the total population. After World War I, the number decreased because Wronki was incorporated to Poland and the Jews of Wronki belonged to the German culture[1] The town contains Wronki Prison, the largest prison in Poland.
According to local rumour, in 1002 Boleslaw the Bold was once caught offside on the banks of Wronki River.
Major corporations
- Amica Wronki SA, Wronki
- Samsung Electronics Manufacturing Poland produces in Wronki washing machines and fridges
Main Sights
- St. Katherine's church - gothic church built towards the end of the 15th century
- Franciscan monastery - built in the 17th century according to a design by Krzysztof Bonadura senior
- Holy Cross chapel - built in 1887 by Jadwiga Slodowicz
Sports
- Amica Wronki - men football team (Polish Cup winner: 1998, 1999, 2000; Polish SuperCup winner: 1998, 1999; 1st league in season 2003/2004 and 2004/2005)
People
- Adolf Pinner (1842–1909), German chemist
- Hans Ferdinand Emil Julius Stichel (1862–1936), German biologist
- Hermann Zondek (1887–1979), German-Israeli physician
- Bernhard Zondek (1891-1966 in New York), German-American gynaecologist
- Else Koffka (1901–1994), German lawyer
- Rafał Grupiński (1952-), Polish politician
- Wincenty Kruziński (1840–1928), Polish composer
Other residents
- Carl Maria Splett (1898, Zoppot/Sopot - Düsseldorf), bishop
- Rosa Luxemburg (1871–1919), Polish Marxist, imprisoned in Wronki by German authorities during World War I
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