Płock

Płock
Princely Capital City of Płock
Płock - the Tumskie Hill over the Vistula River
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Virtute et labore angere
Płock
Coordinates: 52°33′N 19°42′E / 52.550°N 19.700°E / 52.550; 19.700Coordinates: 52°33′N 19°42′E / 52.550°N 19.700°E / 52.550; 19.700
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	Masovian
County	city county
Established	9th century
Town rights	1237
Government
• President	Andrzej Nowakowski
Area
• Total	88.06 km2 (34.00 sq mi)
Elevation	60 m (200 ft)
Population (2009)
• Total	126,675
• Density	1,400/km2 (3,700/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	09-400 to 09-411, 09-419 to 09-421
Area code(s)	+48 024
Car plates	WP
Website	Płock City Hall

Płock (pronounced [pwɔt͡sk]) is a city on the Vistula river in central Poland. It is located in the Masovian Voivodeship (since 1999), having previously been the capital of the Płock Voivodeship (1975–1998). According to the data provided by GUS on 30 June 2009 there were 126,675 inhabitants in the city. Its full ceremonial name, according to the preamble to the City Statute, is Stołeczne Książęce Miasto Płock (the Princely or Ducal Capital City of Płock). It is used in ceremonial documents as well as for preserving an old tradition.

Płock is now a capital of the powiat (county) in the west of the Mazovian Voivodeship. From 1079 - 1138 it was the first historical capital of Poland. Its cathedral has the sarcophagi of the Polish monarchy. It is the cultural, academic, scientific, administrative and transportation center of the west and north Masovian region.

The first Jewish settlers came to the city in the 14th century, responding to the extension of rights by the Polish kings. They built a community and constituted a large portion of the population through the 19th century, sometimes more than 40%. Jews contributed to expansion of trades and crafts, and helped the process of industrialization. In 1939, they made up 26% of the city's population. After the 1939 invasion of Poland, the German Nazis established a Jewish ghetto in Płock in 1940. They deported many of the Jews to other areas but exterminated most of them in the Holocaust. By the war's end, only 300 Jewish residents were known to have survived, of more than 10,000 in the region.

The area was long inhabited by the pagan peoples. In the 10th century, a fortified location was established high of the Vistula River's bank. This location was at a junction of shipping and routes and was strategic for centuries. Its location was a great asset. In 1009 a Benedictine monastery was established here. It became a center of science and art for the area. In 1075, a diocese seat was created here for the Christian church. Płock was the capital city during the reign of the Polish monarchs Władysław I Herman and Bolesław III Wrymouth (1079–1138). It was also a seat of several of the dukes of Masovia.