Ostrów Wielkopolski
| Ostrów Wielkopolski | |||
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Skyline
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 Ostrów Wielkopolski
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| Coordinates: 51°39′N 17°42′E / 51.650°N 17.700°E | |||
| Country |
 Poland
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| Voivodeship | Greater Poland | ||
| County | Ostrów Wielkopolski County | ||
| Gmina | Ostrów Wielkopolski (urban gmina) | ||
| Established | 14th century | ||
| Town rights | 15th century | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Beata Klimek | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 41.9 km2 (16.2 sq mi) | ||
| Highest elevation | 175 m (574 ft) | ||
| Lowest elevation | 123 m (404 ft) | ||
| Population (2008) | |||
| • Total | 72,360 | ||
| • Density | 1,700/km2 (4,500/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Postal code | 63-400 to 63-417 | ||
| Area code(s) | +48 62 | ||
| Car plates | POS | ||
| Climate | Cfb | ||
| Website | http://www.umostrow.pl/ | ||
Ostrów Wielkopolski ([ˈɔstruf vʲɛlkɔˈpɔlskʲi]) (often abbreviated Ostrów Wlkp., formerly called only Ostrów, German: Ostrowo, Latin: Ostrovia) is a city in central Poland with 72,360 inhabitants (2008), situated in the Greater Poland Voivodeship; the seat of Ostrów Wielkopolski County.
Recently, a small fortified dwelling dating from the 10th century was discovered on the north-east side of the town's limits. An archeological excavation is now in progress.
Ostrów received town privileges in 1404 but the economic stagnation caused by fires, wars, and a weak 16th-century nobility, led to the town’s officials dropping its town status in 1711. In 1714, one of the nobility of Ostrów, Jan Jerzy Przebendowski, intervened at the royal court, for the status to be reinstated. By the power of a Royal Marshall (English: Marshal), Franciszek Bielinski, the town received its status back with greater privileges. Another noble family, the Radziwiłłowie took patronage over the town and looked over its many investments. The care of the town’s owners, work of its people, and dedication of its officials, as well as its location, favored the town’s continuous growth. The establishment of a railroad hub in Ostrów was a vital turning point in its development, helping to lend the town prominent status on the local and national scene.
During the time of Partition and both World Wars, Ostrów became an important center for nationalist movements. One of the town’s historic episodes was the so-called Republic of Ostrów (Republika Ostrowska), which was the citizens’ upheaval of 1918. No blood was shed at that upheaval and all political powers were taken over from the Prussian authorities. In between the First and Second World Wars, Ostrów was one of the fastest growing towns: the number of inhabitants doubled, showy houses were built and modern railcar manufacturing (Fabryka Wagon) began.
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Wikipedia