Country Poland Gmina Kisielice Area 3.37 km² Local time Wednesday 8:22 PM | County Iława Postal code 14-220 Population 2,208 (2006) | |
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Weather 6°C, Wind W at 24 km/h, 68% Humidity Voivodeship Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship | ||
Kisielice [kʲiɕɛˈlʲit͡sɛ] (German: Freystadt in Westpreussen) is a town in Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland, with 2,222 inhabitants (2004).
Contents
Map of Kisielice, Poland
Geographical location
Kisielice is located on a hill in the vicinity of a small lake in the south of Dolne Powiśle region, approximately 20 km (12 mi) west of Iława, 36 km (22 mi) north-east of Grudziądz, 60 km (37 mi) south of Elbląg, 25 km (16 mi) south-east of Kwidzyn and 80 km (50 mi) south-east of the voivodeship capital of Olsztyn.
History
The town has been founded in the Old Prussian area formerly settled by the Pomesanians and conquered by the Teutonic Knights until the mid 13th century. First mentioned as Vrienstadt in a 1255 deed, the estates were ceded to the distinguished Stangen noble family by the Bishop of Pomesania in 1293. The bishop vested the settlement with Kulm law and the present-day townscape was laid out from a bout 1315 onwards. Already in 1331 it held town privileges, was well developed as a community, and had a priest. The town's parish church was built from stone during the first half of the 14th century. A town hall is mentioned in 1406; it has not been rebuilt after it burnt down in 1860.
In 1397 Freystadt was repurchased by the Bishop of Pomesania. Upon the Second Peace of Thorn in 1466 it came under the direct rule of the State of the Teutonic Order. Soon after, in 1525, in became part of the newly established Duchy of Prussia under the Hohenzollern duke Albert. The inhabitants of the town acquired their earnings to the most part from professions related to agriculture. In the town lived also a few craftsmen.
From 1818 until 1920 Freystadt belonged to Kreis Rosenberg in the administrative district of Regierungsbezirk Marienwerder in the province of West Prussia, part of Germany from 1871. In 1899 the town was connected to the railway line from Riesenburg (Prabuty) to Jablonowo. In 1928 about 50% of the working people were involved in trade, 20% were workmen, and 13% were civil servants, employees, pensioners and others.
After World War II the remaining German inhabitants of Freystadt, which had not fled prior to the end of war or which had returned, were expelled by Soviet and Polish authorities during subsequent months.