Stargard

Flag

Coat of arms

Motto: Stargard - Klejnot Pomorza
Stargard - Jewel of Pomerania

Stargard

Coordinates: 53°20′N 15°2′E / 53.333°N 15.033°E

Country

Poland

Stargard Szczeciński (urban gmina)

Established

12th century

Town rights

1243

Government

• Mayor

Sławomir Pajor

Area

• Total

48.1 km² (18.6 sq mi)

Elevation

20 m (70 ft)

Population (2006)

• Total

70,534

• Density

1,500/km² (3,800/sq mi)

Time zone

CET (UTC+1)

• Summer (DST)

CEST (UTC+2)

Postal code

73-100
to 73-110

Area code(s)

+48 91

Car plates

ZST

Website

http://www.stargard.pl

Stargard [ˈstarɡart] (German: Stargard in Pommern; Kashubian: Stôrgard) is a city in northwestern Poland, with a population of 71,017 (2005). Situated on the Ina River it is the capital of Stargard County and since 1999 has been in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship; prior to that it was in the Szczecin Voivodeship (1975–1998). Before World War II the town was in Prussia, Germany. The city's name is of Pomeranian (Kashubian) origin and stands for old (stari) town/city (gard or gôrd). It's one of the biggest towns of Szczecin agglomeration. Stargard is a major railroad junction, where the southwards connection from Szczecin splits into two directions - one towards Poznań and the other towards Gdańsk. There is also another minor line to Pyrzyce from the town.

Until December 31, 2015, the town was known as Stargard Szczeciński.

Stargard, which was first mentioned in around 1140, received Magdeburg city rights in 1243 from Barnim I, Duke of Pomerania. The name itself is a combination of two Slavic words: stari (old) and gard (town). In this connotation, the term gard is still being used by the only surviving Pomeranian language speakers, the Kashubs. However, some experts say that the name is of Scandinavian origin: starn (star) and gate (as in English).

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Wikipedia