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Pułtusk

Pułtusk
City of Pułtusk
City of Pułtusk
Flag of Pułtusk
Flag
Coat of arms of Pułtusk
Coat of arms
Pułtusk is located in Poland
Pułtusk
Pułtusk
Coordinates: 52°42′N 21°5′E / 52.700°N 21.083°E / 52.700; 21.083
Country Poland
Voivodeship Masovian
County Pułtusk County
Gmina Gmina Pułtusk
Established 11th century
Town rights 1257
Government
 • Mayor Krzysztof Nuszkiewicz
Area
 • Total 22.83 km2 (8.81 sq mi)
Elevation 80 m (260 ft)
Population (2006)
 • Total 19,229
 • Density 840/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 06-100
Area code(s) +48 023
Car plates WPU
Website www.pultusk.pl

Pułtusk ([ˈpuu̯tusk]; German: Ostenburg) is a town in Poland by the river Narew, 70 kilometres (43 miles) north of Warsaw. It is located in the Masovian Voivodship and has about 19,000 inhabitants.

In 1339 Pułtusk was granted town rights and throughout the 15th and 17th centuries, it was one of the most important economic centres in the Masovian region. The favorable placement of the town on the Narew River, where grain and other goods were transported to Gdańsk, contributed to the town’s growth and importance. Moreover, the construction of Europe’s longest paved market square (380 meters in length) was a sign of the town’s economic success.

During the millennium of its existence, Pułtusk was possibly the most invaded town in Poland. Despite the extent of the destruction, especially during World War II, the town was reconstructed, and is now one of the most recognized and admired tourist destinations in the north-eastern part of the country because to its historical and unique architecture. It is one of the most popular weekend places for the inhabitants of Warsaw.

Pułtusk is one of the oldest towns in Poland and, due to its beauty and floating gondolas, it is known as "Little Polish Venice".

The town has existed since at least the 10th century. In the Middle Ages, the Castle in Pułtusk was one of the most important defensive forts in northern Masovia against the attacks of Old Prussians and Lithuanians. According to a legend, the town initially was known as Tusk, however, after a flood that destroyed half of the city it was renamed to Pułtusk (Pół- or puł- being a Polish prefix for a half). However, historians assume that the town got its name from a small river named Pełta.


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