Przemyśl

Geographical location

Przemyśl owes its development with a particularly interesting geographical location. The city occupies a key position in the corridor connecting the Carpates to the plain. It was the crossroads of trade route in the center of a very fertile area. It is crossed by the San, a navigable river.

History

Przemyśl (Peremychl) is one of the cities of current Poland (with also Sanok and Chełm) which was rested by Ukrainian princes.

Przemyśl is the second plus old city of the south of Poland after Cracow. It is founded with the 8th century and fact part of the Large-Moravie . Archaeological traces attest already presence monacale at the 9th century. The invasion of Large-Moravie by the Magyars towards 899 push the inhabitants to be put under the protection of the Rus' of Kiev. For this time, Przemyśl has become a subject of dispute between Poland, Rus' of Kiev and the Hungary. The first historical mention of the city goes back to 981 and relates to this competition.

XI {{E}} at the 12th century, Przemyśl is the capital of the red Ruthénie. The city is incorporated in Poland in the second part of the 13th century. At that time, it obtains the urban Privilège S (Droit of Magdeburg) confirmed by the king Ladislas II Jagellon in 1389.

During the Rebirth, the city thrives as a great shopping mall. Polish, Ruthènes, Jewish, German, Czech and Arménie NS cohabit. The city starts to decline in the middle of the 17th century following the war with the Sweden and with the collapse of the Union polono-Lithuanian. It is only at the end of the 18th century that the population finds its importance of antan.

In 1772, following the First division of Poland, Przemyśl is annexed by the Austria. In 1861, a railway line is built and connects the city to Cracow and Lwów. In the middle of the 19th century, following the tensions growing between Austria and the Russia about the Balkans, Przemyśl becomes a town of a considerable strategic importance for the Austrians. During the Crimean War, the city is transformed into a strengthened camp, surrounded by a belt of a circumference of 15 km containing 30 fortresses. The progress made by the Artillerie during the second part of the 19th century very quickly made these fortifications obsolete. Of 1888 with 1914, the Austrians build a second belt of 45 km circumference containing 44 forts while the interior ring is reinforced and modernized. After Antwerp and Verdun, Przemyśl becomes the third most strengthened city Europe. It can accommodate 85.000 soldiers and 956 guns.

In August 1914, at the beginning of the First World War, the Russians takes the advantage on the Austrians and advances quickly in Galicie. Przemyśl completely fulfills its mission by stopping the strong Russian army of 300.000 men. Starting from October 1914, the Russians besiege the city again. Following the lack of vivres and exhaustion, the defenders of the city deposit the weapons the March 22nd 1915 after having destroyed the fortifications. The Russians make 126.000 prisoners and seize 700 pieces of artillery. The central Empires take again Przemyśl the June 3rd 1915. The engagements in the area made 115.000 died, wounded or disappeared.

After the war, the city is the subject of a conflict between Poland and the Ukraine. The November 12th 1918, the city is entirely with the hands of the Poles.

Population of Przemyśl in 1931 Source: Census of 1931

In 1931, the city counts 62.272 inhabitants. In 1939, after the invasion of Poland by the Germany and the the USSR, Przemyśl is on the border between the zone of German occupation and the Soviet zone of occupation . Many a Jewish affluent to try to pass to the USSR. In June 1941, Germany attacks the USSR and takes the control of all the city. The June 20th 1942, a first group of 1000 Jews of the area of Przemyśl is sent to the Concentration camp of Janów. The July 15th 1942, the Nazi S create a Ghetto and lock up 22.000 Jews there. They all will be practically exterminated with Auschwitz and Belzec. Polish and Jewish resistance will succeed in saving 415 Jews. The study of the German files reveals that 568 Poles of the area were carried out to have helped of the Jews. The city is released by the Red Army the July 27th 1944. The territorial cutting of post-war period places Przemyśl in edge of the border with the USSR, depriving the town of most of its old area of influence. Following the extermination of the Jews and the expulsion of the Ukrainians, the population of the city crumbled. This loss gradually will be compensated by the arrival of thousands of Polish refugees of Ukraine.

Following all these disasters, the growth of the city stopped. The dissolution of the USSR in 1991 and the creation of an independent and democratic Ukraine open new prospects at the city.

External bonds

Official site of the city
Przemyśl - Foto Art
Przemysl Photo Gallery

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