Stargard Szczeciński

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Stargard Szczeciński

(Flag)	(Coat of arms)
Motto: Stargard - Pomerania's Jewel

Basic Information
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	West Pomeranian
Population	71 017
City rights	1243
Latitude Longitude	53° 20' N 15° 02' E
Area	40,1 km²
Density	1476/km²
Area code	+48 91
Car plates	ZST
Twin towns	Elmshorn, Saldus, Slagelse, Stralsund, Wijchen
Economy and Traffic
Administration
Mayor	Sławomir Pajor
Municipal Website

Stargard Szczeciński (-Polish, Kashubian/Pomeranian: Stôrgard, German: Stargard in Pommern) is a town in Pomerania, northwestern Poland, with 73,000 inhabitants (1995). Situated on the Ina river, it is the capital of Stargard County in West Pomeranian Voivodeship (since 1999), previously in Szczecin Voivodeship (1975-1998).

Brama Młyńska one of two water gates in Europe.

Gothic House

1 History
2 Landmarks and monuments
3 Sports
4 Historical population
5 See also
6 External links (in Polish)

[edit] History

Stargard, first mentioned around 1140, received Magdeburg city rights in 1253 from the Pomeranian duke Barnim I. The city joined the Hanseatic League (1363) and was strongly fortified. In the 15th century, the Pomeranian dukes chose it as their residence. During the Thirty Years' War, the city burnt down, and in 1648 it came – together with the rest of Pomerania – under Prussian influence. From 1871 to 1945, Prssia became part of the unified Germany.

During World War II the large prisoner-of-war camp Stalag II-D was located nearby.

After World War II, the city was renamed and placed under Polish administration; the German population was expelled and replaced by Poles, mainly from territories taken over by the Soviet Union.

[edit] Landmarks and monuments

St. Mary's Church with marketplace

St. Mary's Church (15th century) - one of the biggest brick churches in Europe;
St. John's Church (15th century) with high tower (99 m);
mediaeval fortifications - ramparts, walls, gates (Brama Młyńska "The Mill Gate" from 15th cent.) and towers (13th - 16th centuries) - i.e. Red Sea Tower (Polish: Baszta Morze Czerwone) from 1513;
renaissance townhall from 15th - 16th centuries;
gothic tenement-houses;
granary (16th century);
expiatory cross (1542);
column of victory (1945).

Until 1998 southeast of Stargard Szczeciński, there was a facility for mediumwave broadcasting at 15°7'E and 53°18'N used for foreign broadcasting on 1503 kHz with 300 kW. The two antenna towers of the facility are meanwhile dismantled.

[edit] Sports

Spojnia Stargard Szczeciński - men basketball team, 11th in Era Basket Liga in 2003/2004 season.

[edit] Historical population

1618: 12,000 inhabitants
1640: 1,200 inhabitants
1688: 3,600 inhabitants
1720: 400 inhabitants
1740: 5,529 inhabitants
1786: 6,243 inhabitants
1800: 7,000 inhabitants
1901: 25,000 inhabitants
1913: 28,000 inhabitants
1929: 34,600 inhabitants
1939: 39,760 inhabitants
1945: 2,870 inhabitants
1950: 20,684 inhabitants
1960: 33,650 inhabitants
1970: 44,460 inhabitants
1975: 51,400 inhabitants
1980: 59,227 inhabitants
1990: 71,000 inhabitants
1995: 72,254 inhabitants