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Habelschwerdt

Bystrzyca Kłodzka
Town panorama
Town panorama
Coat of arms of Bystrzyca Kłodzka
Coat of arms
Bystrzyca Kłodzka is located in Poland
Bystrzyca Kłodzka
Bystrzyca Kłodzka
Coordinates: 50°18′N 16°39′E / 50.300°N 16.650°E / 50.300; 16.650
Country  Poland
Voivodeship Lower Silesian
County Kłodzko
Gmina Bystrzyca Kłodzka
Established 11th century
Town rights 13th century
Government
 • Mayor Renata Lucyna Surma
Area
 • Total 10.74 km2 (4.15 sq mi)
Elevation 340 m (1,120 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 10,652
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 57-500
Area code(s) +48 74
Car plates DKL
Website http://www.bystrzycaklodzka.pl

Bystrzyca Kłodzka [bɨsˈtʂɨt͡sa ˈkwɔt͡ska] (German: Habelschwerdt, Czech: Kladská Bystřice) is a city in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship in Poland. It is famous for its historical buildings and is an important tourist centre. It has a population of 10,652 and is located on the Nysa Kłodzka and Bystrzyca Łomnicka rivers.

Bystrzyca Kłodzka lies near the Kłodzko Valley, at the feet of the Sudetes. It is located at the junction of Nysa Kłodzka and Bystrzyca Łomnicka rivers.

The area of today's Bystrzyca Kłodzka has been inhabited at least for six millennia. During the times of the Roman Empire the Celts have established numerous permanent settlements in the area of Glatz Kłodzko on the Amber Road. There are also numerous archaeological excavations of Lusatian culture remnants in the area.

The German town of Habelschwerdt was founded by Gallus of Lämberg (Havel of Markvartice) next to a Slavic village on the trade route leading through the Sudetes in the mid-13th century. It was granted the so-called Western Law (a variant of the Magdeburg Law). On 4 July 1319, John of Luxemburg, king of the Romans (of Holy Roman Empire), later king of Bohemia, granted the village vast autonomy and a right to construct city walls. The first noted mayor of Habelschwerdt was Jakob Rücker. The town was constructed almost from scratch. First the city walls were erected with three gates and several towers. Then the Market Square was planned on a slope and the Mayor House was constructed. Most of the Gothic architecture was preserved and the town is now considered one of the classical examples of Mediaeval architecture. The town started to grow rapidly. It was granted with several other privileges, among them the right to trade with salt, spices and fabric.


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