Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Ratusz

The history of Opole dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries. The territory is politically disputed. Around 990 Silesia, together with the territory of Opole, was annexed by Mieszko I to the Polish state. In 1039 Břetislav I reconquered the territory for eleven years, after which Opole reverted to Bohemia. In 1050, Casimir I reconquered Silesia. It became a Polish duchy in 1172 and received city rights from Duke Casimir I of Opole in 1217. Opole was a center of trade. Several trade routes crossed here, which helped to make profits from transit trade. After the death of King Ludvík II Silesia was inherited by Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor, placing Opole under the sovereignty of the Habsburg monarchy of Austria. The Habsburgs took control of the region in 1532 but pawned the duchy to different rulers including several monarchs of Poland. In 1615, a fire destroyed all the houses within the city walls. After the Swedish invasion of Poland, in 1655 John II Casimir Vasa stayed with his court here. In November of that year, the "Uniwersał opolski" was issued here by the King, calling for Poles to rise against the Swedes. After 1668 the region passed again to the control of the Habsburgs. Frederick II of Prussia conquered most of Silesia from Austria in 1740 during the Silesian Wars. Under Prussian rule, the ethnic structure of the city began to change and a kind of "Germanization" set in. Nevertheless, Opole remained an important cultural, social and political center for the Poles in Upper Silesia. In the course of German unification in 1871 Opole became part of the German Empire. After WWI, a referendum was held with the result that Silesia remained part of the German Reich. After the end of WWII in 1945, Oppeln was transferred from Germany to Poland and the name changed from Oppeln to Opole. The Town Hall is located in the center of the Rynek (Market Square). The first wooden town hall was located here already in the early 14th century. In the 15th/16th century, the wooden building was replaced by one made of bricks. In the summer of 1615, the town hall and many buildings on the Rynek burned down. Already in 1619, the town hall was completed again. In 1739 there was another big fire in the town. Only the outer walls of the town hall remained standing. Some years later the town hall was restored. In 1818 the construction of the new town hall began. The tower was built in 1863. This tower collapsed during reconstruction works in the 1930s and was rebuilt in 1936.

Sandomierz was one of the most important cities in the Polish section of the Via Regia, taking advantage of the location at the junction of the Vistula and San rivers. The first known historical mention of the city comes from the early 12th-century when it was already ranked as one of the main cities of Poland. The testament of Bolesław III Wrymouth, in which he divided Poland among his sons, designated Sandomierz as the capital of one of the resulting principalities, the Duchy of Sandomierz. In the early 13th century, the second oldest Dominican monastery in Poland was founded in Sandomierz. Within the 13th century, the city suffered grievous damage during the raids by Mongols in 1241, 1260, and 1287. The wooden buildings of the town were completely destroyed. As a result, in 1286 Leszek II the Black, effectively refounded the city. After the reunification of the Polish lands in the 14th century, the former principality became the Sandomierz Voivodeship, incorporating large areas of southeastern Poland. In the middle of the 14th century, the city was burned again during a raid by the Lithuanians. It was rebuilt during the rule of Casimir III of Poland, who extended its privileges. The layout of the city has survived practically unchanged from that time until the present day. Sandomierz prospered until the middle of the 17th century, but the prosperity came to an end in 1655 when Swedish troops captured the city. After briefly holding out in the city, the withdrawing Swedes blew up the castle and caused heavy damage to other buildings. A great fire in 1757 and the First Partition of Poland in 1772, which placed Sandomierz in Austria, further reduced its status. In 1809, during the Napoleonic Wars, fighting between the forces of Austria and the Duchy of Warsaw caused damage to the city. It became part of the short-lived Polish Duchy of Warsaw and after 1815 it found itself in the Russian Empire ("Congress Poland"). - The Town Hall, located in the center of the Stary Rynek (Old Market), was erected after the Lithuanian Invasion in 1349. The formerly Gothic, building had an octagonal tower. In the 16th century, the building was expanded, in the form of an extended rectangular structure. The tower seen today was built in the 17th century.

The Teutonic Knights probably took over a wooden castle of the Baltic Prussians end of the 13th century. Already at the beginning of the 14th century, the place had developed into an urban settlement. In 1327 Mohrungen was granted the town charter. The knights of the order were followed by peasant treks, one of which, coming from the southern Harz region in Central Germany, settled near the castle of the order. After the 1410 Battle of Grunwald (Battle of Tanneberg) the town was occupied by the forces of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland. In 1440 Mohrungen joined the Prussian Confederation, which opposed the Teutonic Order. The town fought against the Order in the war from 1454 to 1466. Reconquered the town became his seat as deputy Grand Master. After the Torun peace treaty in 1466, the town became a part of Poland as a fief held by the Teutonic Knights. During the Polish–Teutonic War Morąg was again captured by Poland in 1520 and burned down. Upon the Protestant Reformation and the secularisation of the Order's State in 1525 it became part of Ducal Prussia, remaining a Polish fief until 1657. The Gothic town hall (1444), severely damaged in WWII, was rebuilt from 1947-1954 as it looked before.

Gdańsk is mentioned the Vita of Saint Adalbert of Prague who baptised the inhabitants of "urbs Gyddannyzc" in 997. Later the site was a duchy of Poland. In 1224/25, merchants from Lübeck were invited but already in 1238 they were forced to leave by Pomeralian Duke Swantopolk II during a war between him and the Teutonic Knights. Migration of merchants to the town resumed in 1257. Significant German influence did not reappear until the 14th century, after the takeover of the city by the Teutonic Knights. In 1263 Swantopolk II granted city rights ("Lübsches Stadtrecht") to the emerging market settlement. In a document of 1271 the Duke Mestwin II addressed the Lübeck merchants settled in the city as his loyal citizens from Germany. In 1300, the town had an estimated population of 2,000. While the town was not a really important trade centre at that time, it had relevance in the trade with Eastern Europe. Low on funds, the Pomeranian Samborides lent the settlement to Brandenburg, although they planned to give it to Poland. Poland threatened to intervene, and the Brandenburgians left the town. Subsequently, the city was taken by Danish princes in 1301. The Teutonic Knights were hired by Polish nobles to drive out the Danes. In 1308, the town was taken by the Teutonic Knights. Subsequently, the Knights took over control of the town. Primary sources record a large massacre carried out by the Knights against the local population. The events were used by the Polish crown to condemn the Teutonic Knights in a subsequent papal lawsuit. In 1340, the Teutonic Knights constructed a large fortress. In 1358, Danzig joined the Hanseatic League. After a series of Polish-Teutonic Wars, the Order had to acknowledge that it would hold Pomerelia as a fief from the Polish Crown. The city thrived as a result of increased exports via the Vistula River trading routes. While under the control of the Teutonic Order German migration increased. A new war broke out in 1409, culminating in the Battle of Grunwald in 1410 and the city came under the control of the Kingdom of Poland. Only a year later, with the Peace of Thorn, it returned to the Teutonic Order. In 1440, the city participated in the foundation of the "Prussian Confederation", an organisation opposed to the rule of the Teutonic Knights. Upon the request of the organisation King Casimir IV of Poland reincorporated the territory to the Kingdom of Poland in 1454. This led to a war between Poland and the Teutonic Order. The local mayor pledged allegiance to the King during the incorporation in March 1454 in Kraków. In 1457 the city gained its rights as an autonomous city. Casimir IV of Poland granted the town the Great Privilege. With this, the town was granted full autonomy and protection by the King of Poland. The privilege removed tariffs and taxes on trade within Poland, Lithuania and Ruthenia. Gaining privileged access to Polish markets, the seaport prospered while simultaneously trading with the other Hanseatic cities. Being the largest and one of the most influential cities of Poland, it enjoyed voting rights during the royal election period in Poland. In the 1575 election of a king to the Polish throne, Danzig supported Maximilian II in his struggle against Stephen Báthory. Stephen became monarch but the city shut its gates against him. After the 6 months siege of Danzig in 1577 the city's army was defeated. Since Stephen's armies were unable to take the city by force, a compromise was reached: Stephen confirmed the city's special status and the privileges granted by earlier Polish kings. The city recognised him as ruler of Poland and paid the enormous sum of 200,000 guldens in gold as payoff. Beside a majority of German-speakers, the city was home to a large number of Polish-speaking Poles, Jewish Poles, Latvians, Flemings, Dutch and Scots. During the Reformation, most German-speaking inhabitants adopted Lutheranism. The "Battle of Westerplatte" was the first battle of the German invasion of Poland, marking the start of WW II in Europe. The historic city centre of Gdansk was 90% destroyed at the end of WWII. It was reconstructed by Poles at great expense and today attracts tourists. The Długi Targ (Long Market) in the early morning hours. The historic Ratusz (town hall) is in the backdrop. With about 84 metres the tower is the second-highest building in the city. The tower was completed in 1492. After a fire in 1556, the town hall was rebuilt and expanded with Renaissance influences. Heavily damaged in WW2, with the loss of the top of the tower, the town hall was carefully repaired and reconstructed, largely complete by 1952.

Gdańsk is mentioned the Vita of Saint Adalbert of Prague who baptised the inhabitants of "urbs Gyddannyzc" in 997. Later the site was a duchy of Poland. In 1224/25, merchants from Lübeck were invited but already in 1238 they were forced to leave by Pomeralian Duke Swantopolk II during a war between him and the Teutonic Knights. Migration of merchants to the town resumed in 1257. Significant German influence did not reappear until the 14th century, after the takeover of the city by the Teutonic Knights. In 1263 Swantopolk II granted city rights ("Lübsches Stadtrecht") to the emerging market settlement. In a document of 1271 the Duke Mestwin II addressed the Lübeck merchants settled in the city as his loyal citizens from Germany. In 1300, the town had an estimated population of 2,000. While the town was not a really important trade centre at that time, it had relevance in the trade with Eastern Europe. Low on funds, the Pomeranian Samborides lent the settlement to Brandenburg, although they planned to give it to Poland. Poland threatened to intervene, and the Brandenburgians left the town. Subsequently, the city was taken by Danish princes in 1301. The Teutonic Knights were hired by Polish nobles to drive out the Danes. In 1308, the town was taken by the Teutonic Knights. Subsequently, the Knights took over control of the town. Primary sources record a large massacre carried out by the Knights against the local population. The events were used by the Polish crown to condemn the Teutonic Knights in a subsequent papal lawsuit. In 1340, the Teutonic Knights constructed a large fortress. In 1358, Danzig joined the Hanseatic League. After a series of Polish-Teutonic Wars, the Order had to acknowledge that it would hold Pomerelia as a fief from the Polish Crown. The city thrived as a result of increased exports via the Vistula River trading routes. While under the control of the Teutonic Order German migration increased. A new war broke out in 1409, culminating in the Battle of Grunwald in 1410 and the city came under the control of the Kingdom of Poland. Only a year later, with the Peace of Thorn, it returned to the Teutonic Order. In 1440, the city participated in the foundation of the "Prussian Confederation", an organisation opposed to the rule of the Teutonic Knights. Upon the request of the organisation King Casimir IV of Poland reincorporated the territory to the Kingdom of Poland in 1454. This led to a war between Poland and the Teutonic Order. The local mayor pledged allegiance to the King during the incorporation in March 1454 in Kraków. In 1457 the city gained its rights as an autonomous city. Casimir IV of Poland granted the town the Great Privilege. With this, the town was granted full autonomy and protection by the King of Poland. The privilege removed tariffs and taxes on trade within Poland, Lithuania and Ruthenia. Gaining privileged access to Polish markets, the seaport prospered while simultaneously trading with the other Hanseatic cities. Being the largest and one of the most influential cities of Poland, it enjoyed voting rights during the royal election period in Poland. In the 1575 election of a king to the Polish throne, Danzig supported Maximilian II in his struggle against Stephen Báthory. Stephen became monarch but the city shut its gates against him. After the 6 months siege of Danzig in 1577 the city's army was defeated. Since Stephen's armies were unable to take the city by force, a compromise was reached: Stephen confirmed the city's special status and the privileges granted by earlier Polish kings. The city recognised him as ruler of Poland and paid the enormous sum of 200,000 guldens in gold as payoff. Beside a majority of German-speakers, the city was home to a large number of Polish-speaking Poles, Jewish Poles, Latvians, Flemings, Dutch and Scots. During the Reformation, most German-speaking inhabitants adopted Lutheranism. The "Battle of Westerplatte" was the first battle of the German invasion of Poland, marking the start of WW II in Europe. The historic city centre of Gdansk was 90% destroyed at the end of WWII. It was reconstructed by Poles at great expense and today attracts tourists. The Długi Targ (Long Market) was inhabited by the most prominent and the most wealthy citizens. The old Ratusz (town hall) is in the backdrop.

Słupsk (Stolpe) was a Pomeranian settlement in the early Middle Ages. The Dukes of Pomerelia granted the town charter (Lübsches Stadtrecht) in 1265. A decade later merchants and craftsmen from Westphalia and Holstein founded a new settlement. In 1294 Polish and Bohemian rulers tried to succeed in Pomerelia. Wenceslaus III awarded Stolp to the Brandenburg Ascanians After the fatal attempt on Wenceslas III's life, Wladyslaw I Ellenlang (aka "Ladislaus the Short") reasserted himself as ruler of Pomerelia in 1306 and declared themselves Brandenburg vassals in 1307. In 1308, the Brandenburg margraves invaded and tried to militarily enforce their previously acquired rights. However, they were ousted from Gdansk and the eastern parts of Pomerelia by the Teutonic Knights. However, they were able to hold their ground in the land of Stolp. In 1309, the Duchy of Pomerelia was divided between two feudal states. The western part went to the Brandenburgs, the larger rest including Danzig to the Teutonic Order. After Stolp became prosperous, the citizens acquired the port of Stolpmünde in 1337. In the 14th century the city was pledged to the Teutonic Order by the Pomeranian dukes, who were short of money because of numerous wars. Because the dukes could not redeem the town, but the inhabitants did not want to live under the rule of the Order, the citizens themselves raised the enormous redemption sum of 6,766 silver marks. In devastating fires of 1395 and 1477 the town burned down. In 1478 the plague raged in the town. A dispute with the dukes that lasted for years impoverished the town and forced it to leave the Hanseatic League. During the Thirty Years' War, Stolp was conquered by Swedes in 1630. Wallenstein's troops occupied the town in 1637, and Swedish troops drove them out and completely ruined Stolp. After the war ended in 1648, Stolp fell to Brandenburg in the Peace of Westphalia. The Ratusz (Town Hall) was constructed in 1901 under Prussian rule in the Gothic Revival style. The tower stands 56 meters tall.

A Slavic fortress of the Wends was mentioned in 1107. When Polish Duke Bolesław III conquered Pomerania, he brought Bishop Otto of Bamberg to the country for Christianisation. Otto stayed here in 1128 to baptize the Slavs. In 1128, Otto undertook another missionary journey to Pomerania, during which he again stayed in Cammin. Duke Wartislaw I, who ruled between 1121 and 1135, had his residence in Cammin - thus this was the first known seat of a Pomeranian duke. The bishopric of Cammin was founded by Henry the Lion in 1175 with Bishop Konrad I of Salzwedel. At this time, Duke Casimir I had St. John's Cathedral built. Brandenburg troops destroyed the town in 1273, which was rebuilt a year later with the participation of German immigrants. Duke Barnim I granted city rights (Lübsches Stadtrecht) in 1274. In 1308, the city, including the cathedral, was partially destroyed as a result of disputes between the Margrave of Brandenburg and the Duke of Pomerania. The Reformation was introduced in Pomerania in 1535. From 1556 the Pomeranian dukes administered the bishopric of Cammin until 1648, when it fell to the Electorate of Brandenburg as a secular principality. The late Gothic town hall stands in the middle of the market square. Its origins date back to the middle of the 14th century. The building was restored after WWII.