Kalisz

Kalisz (in Latin Calisia , in German Kalisch , in Russian Кализ ) is a Ville of Poland which counts 110.000 inhabitants (30.12.2005). The city is a district ( powiat ) of the Voïvodie of Large-Poland.

Geographical location

Kalisz is located on the Prosna, in Large-Poland. The railway line connecting Ostrów Wielkopolski to Łódź passes by the city. Kalisz is with the crossroads of the road Łęknica - Dorohusk and of the road Oleśnica - Koszalin.

History

Kalisz is often described as “more old city of Poland” because it was already mentioned at the 2nd century by Ptolémée which spoke about Calisia , a city located on the road of the Ambre, which left the Roman Empire to join the shores of the the Baltic. Some Historien S dispute association between Calisia and Kalisz.

At the 9th century, Kalisz is a borough, with a extremely in which a castellan resides. This fort will be increases at the 10th century. In 1106, Boleslas III the Stop-Chest seizes the fort which was controlled by its rival Zbigniew. With Poznań and Gniezno, Kalisz is then one of the most important centers of Large-Poland. It becomes the seat of a governor (castellan) in 1136. In 1139, the first Juif S start to settle in Kalisz. Following the Feudal dismemberment of Poland, the city becomes the capital of a duchy in 1190. In 1233, Henri Ier Bearded the extremely destroys the old one in its war against Ladislas Odonic. It makes rebuild the city and new extremely.

Boleslas the Piles grants the Privilège S urban (Droit of Magdeburg) to Kalisz towards 1257. The August 16th 1264, the Jewish community of Kalisz is the first with being gratifiée by Boleslas the Piles of particular statuses, copied on the rights of the Jews of the Saint Empire: freedom of worship, distinct legal status (permission to trade and practice wear) and ducal protection (Charter of Kalisz). After the reunification of the Polish territories by Ladislas Ier the Brief, Kalisz becomes the Chef-lieu of a Voïvodie (1314). In 1343, Casimir III Large the concludes in Kalisz a peace treaty with the Teutoniques.

XIV {{E}} at the 17th century, the city becomes an economic and cultural center increasingly important. It becomes a place of Marché S. Of many clothiers and carpenters settle in the city. At the 15th century, the Université of Cracow creates a subsidiary company there. In 1574, Jésuites settle in Kalisz. They open a college in there 1584. The city becomes also an important religious center with the installation of the Czech Frères. Printing works develops at the 17th century.

The wars with the Swedish and the epidemic S cause the decline of the city starting from the second part of the 17th century. In 1792, a large fire devastates the city. The town hall and the castle are destroyed. In 1793, after the second division of Poland, the city is annexed by the Prussia. A theater is built in 1801. In 1807, Kalisz becomes the Chef-lieu of a department of the Duché of Warsaw. In 1815, the city is built-in the Royaume of the Congress. At the end of the 19th century, there is a spectacular development of light industries, in particular of the textile. In 1902, the railway line connecting Kalisz to Warsaw is brought into service.

At the beginning of the First World War, in August 1914, the city is bombarded and set fire to by the German . The population of the city passes from 68.000 inhabitants to 5.000 inhabitants. In 1918, Kalisz belongs to the Poland ressuscitée. The city is rebuilt and counts 89.000 inhabitants at the dawn of the Second world war. Of 1939 with 1945, the city is occupied by the Germans and is annexed by the Reich. The Germans build there a Concentration camp for the Polish children. The extermination of the 30.000 Jewish S of Kalisz, the exactions of the Nazi S and expulsions make fall the population from the city to 43.000 inhabitants at the end of the war.

The city reinstates Poland in 1945 and is rebuilt. In 1992, the Diocèse of Kalisz is created. The city receives Jean-Paul II the June 4th 1997.

Economy

• production of pianos ( Calisia ).

• production of laces and fabrics ( Wistil , Haft )
• production of machines and engines ( PZL )
• production of food concentrates ( Winiary )
• textile industries ( Runotex , Sports shirt )
• food industries ( Kaliszanka , Hellena )

Culture, architecture and monuments

Theater

• the theater Wojciech Bogusławski

Museum

• the regional museum

Structure

• church Stanislas saint (founded in 1257) of Gothic , interior style Baroque
• church Stanislas saint and holy Adalbert (founded in 1595) of style baroque
• cathedral Nicolas saint (Gothic - neogothic, interior baroques) with a vault Art nouveau)
• church Joseph saint of style baroque
• Notre-Dame church of the Annunciation (founded in 1607) of style baroque
• church saint Joseph and holy Pierre d' Alcantara of style Rococo

Cemeteries

• cemetery Protesting
• orthodoxe cemetery
• Military Jewish cemetery
• cemetery
• Soviet cemetery