Drohiczyn

Drohiczyn is small a Ville of Poland which counts 2.112 inhabitants (2003). The city is a Chef-lieu of district of the Voïvodie de Podlachie.

Geographical location

Drohiczyn is located on Right Bank of the Bug, in the North-East of the Poland, in the southernmost part of the Voïvodie de Podlachie. It is crossed by the trunk road connecting Siemiatycze to Włocławek.

History

The excavations archaeological showed that the site was already occupied with the Neolithic . Drohiczyn is the historical capital of the Podlachie. At the 11th century, it is a fortified town at the border between the pagan Mazovie and territories of the east. The first historical mention of the city goes back to 1142. At the beginning of the 12th century, Drohiczyn belongs to the Rus' of Kiev. In 1181, Drohiczyn becomes the capital of an autonomous duchy. At the beginning of the 13th century, it becomes briefly property of Conrad Ier de Mazovie before returning in the Principauté of Galicie-Volhynie. In 1253, Daniel de Galicie is crowned there by an envoy of the Pape. In 1280, the Lithuania appendix the city. In 1498, Drohiczyn obtains the Droits of Magdeburg hands of the Large-duke of Lithuania. In 1520, it becomes the capital of the Voïvodie of Podlasie. In 1569, the city is incorporated in the kingdom of Poland.

The city knows its golden age at the 16th century. At the beginning of the 17th century, there is in Drohiczyn 3 churches Catholique S, 5 churches orthodoxe and 5 Monastère S including 2 catholics. There are also a hospital, a pharmacy and a school. The Swedish Déluge puts an end to the urban development which is devastated. The churches and the monasteries are rebuilt or renovated at the 18th century. Schools held by Franciscains and Jésuites appear. In 1795, after the Third division of Poland, the city is annexed by the Prussia. In 1807, Drohiczyn is divided into two: the city of left bank is found in the Duché of Warsaw, the city of Right Bank in Russia. In 1815, the city is incorporated in the Royaume of the Congress. At the 19th century, the decline of the city is brutal. The city, far away from the new main roads of communication, becomes a small town of Province without any future prospect. The population of the city passes from 2.000 inhabitants in 1775, with 835 inhabitants in 1857.

In 1918, Drohiczyn becomes a city of ressuscitée Poland. At the beginning of the 20th century, a many surge Juif S makes it possible the town of find 2000 inhabitants. During the First and Second world war, the city each time is destroyed, then rebuilt. During the last war, the Nazi S locked up approximately 700 Jews in the Ghetto. They were exterminated with Treblinka.

Today, Drohiczyn, where the services and the trade developed, plays the part of central place for the Village S of the surroundings. Its picturesque character attracts also tourists. In 1991, the city became the seat of a Diocèse. There are today 3 Catholic churches and one elects orthodoxe. The June 10th 1999, the city accommodated an oecumenical meeting in which Jean-Paul II took part.

Tourism

To see:

the hill of the Castle (old Fortified town)
the church of the Franciscains and its Monastère
the church of the Bénédictin be and his Couvent
the orthodoxe church of the 19th century
the museum diocesan
the regional museum

Economy

Center of service for the rural communes close
Sawmills
Agro-alimentary leather
Production
Tourism

External bonds

Official site of the topographic city
Chart (1: 50 000) of the North-East of Poland

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