Lower Silesia 3589799 225739310 2008-07-15T04:26:32Z Olessi 220894 the duchies are frequently known in English by the German names :''This article is about the historical region. For the Polish administrative region see [[Lower Silesian Voivodeship]]. For the former Prussian province see [[Province of Lower Silesia]]. [[Image:Lower Silesia-CoatOfArms.png|thumb|130px|right|Coat of arms of Lower Silesia.]] [[Image:Z dolnoslaskie.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Traditional Silesian clothing]] '''Lower Silesia''' ({{lang-de|Niederschlesien}}; {{lang-la|Silesia Inferior}}; {{lang-pl|Dolny Śląsk}}) is the northwestern part of the historical and geographical region of [[Silesia]]; [[Upper Silesia]] is to the southeast. Throughout its history Lower Silesia has been under the control of medieval [[Poland]], [[Bohemia]], [[Habsburg Monarchy|Austria]], [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]], and [[German Reich|Germany]], and after 1945 was split between Poland and Germany. The southern border of Lower Silesia is mapped by the mountain ridge of the [[Sudetes]], which are located on the Polish-[[Czech Republic|Czech]] border. The western border is outlined by the [[Lusatian Neisse]] River, the northern by the Barych River and the southern by part of [[Greater Poland]]. Polish Lower Silesia, the bulk of the historical region, is located mostly along the [[Oder River]] and is divided between the [[Lower Silesian Voivodeship|Lower Silesian]], [[Lubusz Voivodeship|Lubusz]] and [[Opole Voivodeship]]s. Parts of the former Prussian [[Province of Lower Silesia]] on the western side of the Neisse are located in the [[Niederschlesischer Oberlausitzkreis]], the town of [[Görlitz]] and the former [[Hoyerswerda]] district within [[Oberspreewald-Lausitz]] in eastern [[Germany]]. That region historically belonged to [[Kingdom of Saxony|Saxon]] [[Upper Lusatia]], which became part of [[Province of Silesia|Prussian Silesia]] in 1815 after the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. == History == ===Ancient history=== At the close of the [[Ice Age]], the first man appeared at the [[Silesian Lowland]]. In the [[Lower Paleolithic]] (7,000 years ago), the first nomadic people settled in Lower Silesia lived in caves and primitive chalets. They were collectors, hunters, and fishers, and use weapons and other tools made of stone and wood. In the [[Mesolithic]] (7000-4000 BC), the oldest human remains of the nomadic people, which were 40,000 years old, were found in a tomb in [[Tyniec]] on the river [[Slęża]]. In the [[Neolithic]] (4000-1700 BC), the process of transformation into a settled way of life began. The first rural settlements were made. People began to breed animals and farm. Mining, pottery, and weaving were dated to this period. [[Serpentinite]] quarries came into existence, of which Silesian hatchets were made, and near [[Jordanów Sląski]] people extracted nephrite that was transformed into diverse tools. In the [[Bronze Age]] (1700-1500 BC), the evolution of different cultures developed to the existence of unetice<!--???--> culture that had an impact on the existence of [[Trzciniec culture]]. In next periods, since about 750 BC, it encompasses all of Europe. ===Early history=== Silesia was recorded in [[Magna Germania]] two thousand years ago with a number of [[Germanic tribes]] among them the [[Vandals]], [[Lugii]] and the [[Silingi]]. A number of groups of people came into eastern Magna Germania from [[Sarmatia]], [[Asia Minor]], and the Asian steppes during the [[Great Migrations]] at the beginning of the 6th century. The [[Bavarian geographer]] (ca. 845) reported the [[Ślężanie]] (from whom Silesia (Śląsk) probably takes its name) and [[Dziadoszanie]] tribes, while a document of the [[Bishopric of Prague]] (1086) listed the [[Zlasane]], [[Trebovane]], [[Poborane]], and [[Dedositze]] tribes. At the same time Upper Silesia was inhabited by the [[Opolanie]], [[Lupiglaa]], and [[Golenshitse]] tribes. In the 9th and 10th centuries the territory was subject to the [[Great Moravia]]n and then [[Bohemia]]n rulers of the neighbouring area covered by today's [[Czech Republic]]. In 990 Silesia was conquered and incorporated into an area later called [[Poland]] by the duke [[Mieszko I]]. === Feudal fragmentation of Poland === Silesia was split into lower and upper parts in 1172 during the period of [[History of Poland (966–1385)|Poland's feudal fragmentation]], when the land was divided between two sons of High Duke [[Władysław II the Exile|Władysław II]]. [[Bolesław the Tall]] ruled over Lower Silesia with his capital in [[Wrocław]] (then known as Vratislav or Prezla) and [[Mieszko Plątonogi]] ruled over [[Upper Silesia]] with his capital in [[Opole]]. Later Silesia was divided into as many as 17 [[duchy|duchies]]. Duchies of Lower Silesia in the 14th century (German names in italics): * [[Duchy of Wrocław|Wrocław]] (''Breslau'') * [[Duchy of Brzeg|Brzeg]] (''Brieg'') * [[Duchy of Oleśnica|Oleśnica]] (''Oels'') * [[Duchy of Legnica|Legnica]] (''Liegnitz'') * [[Duchy of Ziębice|Ziębice]] (''Münsterberg'') * [[Duchy of Świdnica|Świdnica]] (''Schweidnitz'') * [[Duchy of Głogów|Głogów]] (''Glogau'') * [[Duchy of Nysa|Nysa]] (''Neisse'') * [[Żagań]]-[[Szprotawa]] (''Sagan - Sprottau'') * [[Krosno Odrzańskie]]-[[Ścinawa]] (''Krossen - Steinau'') === The Bohemian Crown and Austria (1348-1742) === In 1348 most of the Silesian duchies were ruled by the Silesian [[Piast]] dukes under the feudal overlordship of the [[Kings of Bohemia|Bohemian kings]], and thus became part of the Crown of [[Bohemia]]. In 1476 the Crossen district became part of the [[Margraviate of Brandenburg]], when the widow of the Piast ruler, Barbara von Brandenburg, daughter of Elector [[Albert Achilles]], inherited Crossen. In 1526 Silesia was acquired by [[Austria]]'s [[Habsburg Monarchy]] after the death of King [[Louis II of Hungary and Bohemia|Louis II]] of Bohemia. Brandenburg contested the inheritance, citing a treaty made with [[Frederick II, Duke of Brieg]], but Silesia largely remained under Habsburg control until 1742. [[Image:Silesia coat of arms.png|thumb|200px|right|19th century coat of arms of Lower Silesia.]] === In Prussia (1742-1945) === Most of Silesia, including all of Lower Silesia, became part of the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] in 1742 after the [[Silesian Wars|First Silesian War]] and was turned into the [[Province of Silesia]], divided into the districts of Lower Silesia ([[Legnica|Liegnitz]]), Middle Silesia ([[Wrocław|Breslau]]), and Upper Silesia ([[Opole|Oppeln]]). The area around [[Görlitz]] in [[Upper Lusatia]] was added to Lower Silesia in 1815 following the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. By the beginning of the 20th century Lower Silesia had a predominantly German-speaking population. After [[World War I]], Upper Silesia was divided between [[Weimar Republic|Germany]], [[Second Polish Republic|Poland]], and [[Czechoslovakia]], while Lower Silesia remained in Germany. The Prussian Province of Silesia was reorganized into the Provinces of [[Province of Lower Silesia|Lower Silesia]] and [[Province of Upper Silesia|Upper Silesia]]. === After 1945 === Following the end of [[World War II]], Lower Silesia east of the [[Lusatian Neisse]] was placed under Polish administration according to the [[Potsdam Conference]] in 1945. The territory's [[Germans|German]] and [[Czechs|Czech]] population was [[Expulsion of Germans after World War II|expelled]] and replaced with [[Poles]], many of whom had themselves been expelled from [[Polish areas annexed by the Soviet Union]]. The [[Red Army]]'s [[Northern Group of Forces]] occupied part of the region till 1991, such as much of the city of [[Legnica]], part of [[Świdnica]], many air-fields, barracks, and one large proving ground. From 1945-1975 Lower Silesia was administered within the [[Wrocław Voivodeship]]. As a result of the Local Government Reorganisation Act (1975), Poland's administration was reorganized into 49 [[voivodeship]]s, four of them in Lower Silesia: [[Jelenia Góra Voivodeship|Jelenia Góra]], [[Legnica Voivodeship|Legnica]], [[Wałbrzych Voivodeship|Wałbrzych]], and Wrocław Voivodeships (1975-1998). As a result of the Local Government Reorganisation Act of 1998, these four provinces were joined into the [[Lower Silesian Voivodeship]] (effective [[1 January]] [[1999]]), whose capital is Wrocław. The section of Lusatia belonging to Lower Silesia since 1815, west of the Lusatian Neisse, which remained in Germany is divided between the districts of [[Görlitz]] (urban) and [[Niederschlesischer Oberlausitzkreis]] in [[Saxony]] and [[Oberspreewald-Lausitz]] in [[Brandenburg]]. ==Towns== Towns with over 20,000 inhabitants: *[[Wrocław]] *[[Wałbrzych]] *[[Legnica]] *[[Jelenia Góra]] *[[Lubin]] *[[Głogów]] *[[Świdnica]] *[[Bolesławiec]] *[[Oleśnica]] *[[Jawor]] *[[Kamienna Góra]] *[[Oława]] *[[Zgorzelec]] *[[Kłodzko]] *[[Nowa Ruda]] *[[Dzierżoniów]] *[[Bielawa]] *[[Polkowice]] ==Geography== === Sudetes === The [[Sudetes]] are geologically diverse mountains that stretch for 280 kilometers to [[Brama Łóżycka]] on the East and to [[Brama Morawska]] on the West. The Sudetes topographically are divided into West and East Sudetes. In the region of the Sudetes, the [[Jizera Mountains]] are spread ([[Wysoka Kopa, 1,126 m]]) along with [[Zaroślak]], 560 m, the [[Karkonosze]] ([[Śnieżka]], 1,602 m), [[Rudawy Janowickie]] ([[Skalnik, 945 m]]) and the [[Kaczawskie Mountains]] ([[Skopiec, 724 m]]) with [[Ostrzyca, 501 m]]. They are surrounded by [[Kotlina Jeleniogórska]] (420-450 m). ===Silesian Lowland=== The Silesian Lowland includes [[Nizina Śląska]] and [[Nizina Śląsko-Łużycka]]. These two lowlands are separated with each other by [[Dolina Kaczawy]], and from the [[Sudetes]] by steep morphological edge located along the Sudetic Marginal Fault, extended from [[Bolesławiec]] (the Northwest) to [[Złoty Stok]] (the Southeast). The southern part of the Lowland includes The Sudeten Foreland, consisting of quite low [[Wzgórze Strzegomskie]] (232m), Grupa Ślęży ([[Mount Ślęża]], 718m), and Wzgórza Niemczańsko-Strzelińskie ([[Gromnik Mountain]], 392m). Lower hills occur also in areas of Obniżenie Sudeckie, [[Równina Świdnicka|Świdnik]], and [[Kotlina Dzierżoniowska]]. The eastern part of Silesian Lowland consists of wide [[Nizina Śląska|Silesian Lowlands]], located along banks of [[Oder River]]. The eastern part includes also [[Równina Wrocławska]] with its surroundig lands: Równina Oleśnicka, Wysoczyzna Średzka, Równina Grodkowska and Niemodlińska. Dolina Dolnej Kaczawy (Kotlina Legnicka) separates Nizina Śląska from Nizina Śląsko-Łużycka, which includes Wysoczyzna Lubińsko-Chocianowska, Dolina Szprotawy, and wide areas of Bory Dolnośląskie, located to the north from Bolesławiec-Zgorzelec road. From the North, the lowlands are delimited by Wał Trzebnicki, consisting of hills that are 200km long and over 150m high, in comparison to neighboring lowlands (Kobyla Mountain, 284m). The range of hills includes: Wzgórza Dalkowskie, Wzgórza Trzebnickie, Wzgórza Twardogórskie, and Wzgórza Ostrzeszowskie. Obniżenie Milicko-Głogowskie, with Kotlina Żmigrodzka and Milicka, is located in the northern part, within the hills. The region of lowlands is coated with thick layer of glacial elements ([[sands|sand]], [[gravels|gravel]], [[clays|clay]]) that covers more diverse relief of the older ground. Generally flat and wide bottoms of the valleys are padded with river settlements. Slopes of the hills over 180-200m are coated with fertile clays and therefore, to begin with the [[Paleozoic]] era, they became the lands for people to settle and cultivate intensively. Later form of economy caused almost complete [[deforestation]] of the slopes. Not only fertile grounds, but also mild climate is conductive to development of agriculture and market gardening. Annual average temperature of [[Wrocław]] area is 8 degrees Celsius. Average temperature of the hottest month (July) is 18 degrees Celsius, and -1.5 degrees Celsius of the coldest month (January). The average amount of rainfall is between 500-620mm, with its maximum in July and minimum in February. The snow layer disappears after 45 days. The winds, similar to those appearing in the West side of Poland, are West and Southwest. Sudeten rivers are characterized by changeable water rates, and high pollution resulting from large industrialization of the area. The greatest rivers are [[Nysa Kłodzka]], which is the source of drinking water for Wrocław (the water is drawn by special channel); [[Stobrawa]], [[Oława]], [[Ślęza]], [[Bystrzyca]] with its tributaries – [[Strzegomka]] and [[Piława]]; [[Widawa]], [[Średzka Woda]], [[Kaczawa]] with [[Nysa Szalona]] and [[Czarna Woda]]. There is also the largest right-bank tributary of the area - [[Barycz]]. The other guite large rivers - Bóbr, Kwisa, and Nysa Łóżycka – flow into Oder River beyond Lower Silesia borders. Majority of the rivers is regulated and their basins are improved, which is conductive to the proper water economy. The characteristic feature of the lowlands landscape is the lack of lakes. Region of [[Legnica]] is the only place where a dozen or so of small lakes survived, but majority of them is already disappearing. The largest one is Jezioro Kunickie (95ha), Jezioro Koskowickie (50ha), Jezioro Jaśkowickie (24ha) and Tatarak (19.5ha) . In contrast to the number of lakes, there are large groups of artificial ponds founded in Barycz basin, in the Middle Ages. Their total area amounts around 80km square, and the largest ponds (Stary Staw, Łosiowy Staw, Staw Niezgoda, Staw Mewi Duży, and Grabownica) come to 200-300ha. The primeval flora has been transformed significantly as a result of [[deforestation]] and cultivation. The largest forest complexes are Bory Dolnośląskie (3 150 km²), Bory Stobrawskie in [[Stobrawa]] and [[Widawa]] areas, and smaller fragments of forests in [[Barycz]] and [[Oder River]] valleys. These forests are kind of multi-species [[deciduous]] forests, occurring in fertile grounds. Oder River valley is reach in groups of mixed forests ([[beech]], [[oak]], [[hornbeam]], [[sycamore maple]], and [[pine]]). These forests, with protected status, are: [[Zwierzyniec]], [[Kanigóra]] near [[Oława]], [[Dublany]], [[Kępa Opatowicka]] near [[Wrocław]], [[Zabór]] near [[Przedmoście]], and [[Lubiąż]]. The other forest areas are: Natural Park in Orsk, the areas of Jodłowice, Wzgórze Joanny near Milicz, and Gola near Twardogóra. Such types of forest like those up to 1.2m high, which are the mainstay for wild game, or nurseries, are inaccessible because of permanent fire hazard. Territories partly accessible (marked specially) are located in areas of Góra Śląska, Oborniki Śląskie, Wołowa, in Oder River valley, and in Wzgórza Niemczańsko-Strzelińskie. ===Flora=== The flora of Lower Silesia is specific and different for each zone. From the bottoms to the tops, plants form groups that are arranged in wide or narrow belts, called floral zones. Subsequently, these zones are divided into narrower belts, called vegetation belts. The zone of mountain forest is divided into two belts: [[subalpine]] and lower subalpine forest. Above, there is forestless zone divided into subalpine belt with dwarf pine, and alpine belt without shrubs. This vegetation is [[Glacial]], the former one – from [[Tertiary]] – was destroyed by the climate of [[Ice Age]]. Along with glaciation from the North, some tundra plants appeared, for example: [[Lapland Willow]] (Salix Lapponum) and [[cloudberry]] (Rubus chamaemorus). The flora of Lower Silesia is strongly influenced by geological and climatic history. The vegetation is formed by species deriving from various geographic regions. Particular regions are represented by: * Central European species: [[fir]] ([[Abies alba]]), [[beech]] (Fagus silvatica), [[oak]] ([[Quercus sessilis]]), [[maple]] ([[Acer pseudoplatanus]]) * European Syberian species: European [[spindle-tree]] (Evonymus europaea), [[alder]] (Alnus glutinosa), [[wicker]] (Salix purpurea) * Boreal-Sub arctic species: [[Cardamine pratensis|cress]] (Cardamine pratensis), [[Caltha palustris|yellow marsh marigold]] (Caltha palustris), [[Hepatica nobilis|liverleaf]] (Hepatica nobilis) * Boreal-Arctic species: [[bearberry]] (Arctostaphylos uvaxursi), [[dwarf willow]] (Sal herbacea), [[black crowberry]] (Empetrum nigrum), [[Sudetic Lousewort]] (Pedicularis sudetica), [[alpine saxifrage]] (Saxifraga nivalis), [[cloudberry]] (Rubus chamaemorus), [[lake quillwort]] (Isoëtes lacustris) * Alpine species: Alpine Bastard [[Toadflax]] (Thesium alpinium), Alpine [[coltsfoot]] (Homogyne alpina), [[mountain avens]] (Geum montanum), [[dwarf pine]] (Pinus mughus) * Sudetic and Sudetic-Carpathian species: [[mossy saxifrage]] (Saxifraga moschata ssp. Basaltica), Sudetic [[lousewort]] (Pedicularis sudetica) ===Lower subalpine forest=== Lower subalpine forest (450-1000m) {{lang-pl|Regiel Dolny}} is characterized by deciduous or mixed forest. The fragments of forests similar to natural complexes of [[pine]]-[[fir]]-[[beech]] with admixture of [[larch]], [[sycamore maple]] and [[lime]] occur near the Szklarski waterfall, in the Jagniątkowski complex, and [[Chojnik]] Mountain. Particular species of trees have different climatic requirements. The lowest parts are covered with [[oaks|oak]] and [[ashes|ash]] (up to 500m). On the level of 500-600m occurs pine; in the higher parts (up to 800m), there occurs [[European larch]] and above 800m – fir and beech. Despite of transformation of the basic tree vegetation, the same form of undergrowth survived. There occurs: [[daphne mezereum]], [[red elderberry]], [[hazel]], [[platanthera bifolian]], [[sweet woodruff]], [[herb paris]], [[cranberry]], [[wood sorrel]], [[chickweed wintergreen]], [[common cow-wheat]] and [[lily of the valley]]. The parts over 800m are mainly covered with grasses, purple small-reeds, cranberries, and [[willow gentian]]. In highlighted places, on meadows, and along roads, there occurs: [[spotted orchid]], [[bugleweed]], [[yellow archangel]], [[arnica montana]], [[sword-leaved helleborine]], [[rosebay willowherb]], [[Senecio vulgaris|groundsel]], and [[foxglove]]. Along riversides, there occurs white [[butterbur]]. Pine forests are rich in spruces, which are permanently weakened by atmospheric factors. Frayed roots are easily infected by harmful [[fungus]] and [[insects|insect]]. The most damaging is [[honey mushroom]], with edible [[specimen]], which grows in pulp – between the [[bark]] and [[timber]] - causing the death of tree. The other damaging fungus is [[bracket fungus]], which destroys roots and trunks from the inside. The honey mushroom devastates the tree within a few months, and the bracket fungus – within a few years – as a result of mechanic changes in wood structure. ==Sources== * Urbanek M., (2003), Dolny Śląsk. Siedem stron świata., MAK publishing, Wrocław, p. 240 + CD-ROM * Śląsk na weekend – touristic guide, Pascal publishing == See also == * [[Silesia Walls]] * [[Castle Chrobry in Szprotawa]] ==External links== *[http://www.dolnyslask.pl Lower Silesian Voivodeship Website] *[http://dolnyslask.org Lower Silesian official website for tourist information] *[http://dolnyslask.wikia.com Wiki Lower Silesia - tourist service] [[Category:Lower Silesian Voivodeship|*]] [[Category:Geography of Silesia]] [[Category:Czech historical regions]] [[da:Nedre Schlesien]] [[de:Niederschlesien]] [[pl:Dolny Śląsk]] [[ru:Нижняя Силезия]] [[szl:Dolny Ślůnsk]] [[uk:Нижня Сілезія]]