Augustów

Top left: Augustów Basilica of Jesus in Skorupki; Top right: Former Water Management Authority's office (Budynek Zarzadu Wodnego); Middle left: An ancient house in Augustów Market Square; Middle right: Netta Nature Park and Augstow Canal; Bottom: Icy season in Studzieniczne Lake

Coat of arms

Augustów

Coordinates: 53°51′N 22°58′E / 53.850°N 22.967°E

Country

Augustów (urban gmina)

Established

1546

Town rights

1557

Government

• Mayor

Wojciech Walulik

Area

• Total

80.93 km² (31.25 sq mi)

Population (2011)

• Total

30,802

Time zone

CET (UTC+1)

• Summer (DST)

CEST (UTC+2)

Postal code

16-300 to 16-303

Area code(s)

+48 87

Car plates

BAU

Website

http://urzad.augustow.pl/

Augustów (Polish: [au̯ˈɡustuf]; Lithuanian: Augustavas), formerly known in English as Augustovo or Augustowo, is a city in north-eastern Poland with 30,802 inhabitants (2011). It lies on the Netta River and the Augustów Canal. It is situated in the Podlaskie Voivodeship (since 1999), having previously been in Suwałki Voivodeship (1975–1998). It is the seat of Augustów County and of Gmina Augustów.

In 1970, Augustów became officially recognized as a health and relaxation resort. In 1973, surrounding settlements were named a part of it, forming a popular resort town.

The town was first mentioned in 1496 and was granted city rights by king Sigismund II Augustus in 1557, changing its name in his honor. It was redesigned and laid out in a very regular manner, with a spacious market-place.

Until 1569 Augustów belonged to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania when the Real union called Union of Lublin was signed between Poland, Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Royal Prussia. As a result, the town became a part of the Kingdom of Poland, while its cemetery was left in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Tatar invaders destroyed Augustów in 1656, and the second half of the 17th century saw the town afflicted by plague.

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Wikipedia