Administrative district Polessky District Area 11 km² Local time Thursday 1:33 AM | Town of district significance Polessk Founded 1258 | |
Municipal district Polessky Municipal District Weather 1°C, Wind SW at 10 km/h, 81% Humidity | ||
Polessk (Russian: Поле́сск), prior to 1946 known by its German name Labiau (Polish: Labiawa; Lithuanian: Labguva), is a town and the administrative center of Polessky District in Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia, located 49 kilometers (30 mi) northeast of Kaliningrad, the administrative center of the oblast, at the junction of a main road and a railroad at the Deyma River, shortly before it enters the Curonian Lagoon. Population: 7,581 (2010 Census); 7,681 (2002 Census); 6,859 (1989 Census); 4,744 (1885).
Contents
- Map of Polessk Kaliningradskaya Oblast Russia 238630
- Geography
- History
- Administrative and municipal status
- Notable residents
- References
Map of Polessk, Kaliningradskaya Oblast, Russia, 238630
Geography
The Polessk Canal begins in the town.
History
It was founded in the 13th century.
The town contains a castle built by the Teutonic Order, who gave it the German name Labiau. It became a part of the Duchy of Prussia and on November 20, 1656 was the location of the Treaty of Labiau. While part of East Prussia within the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire, Labiau was a district seat in the administrative region of Königsberg. In 1885, Labiau had 4,744 inhabitants, almost all of whom were Lutherans.
Labiau was overrun by the Soviet Red Army in 1945 near the end of World War II. It was transferred from German to Russian control according to the Potsdam Conference and the following year renamed Polessk. The remaining Germans who had not fled, perished or evacuated were subsequently expelled and replaced with Soviet citizens.
Administrative and municipal status
Within the framework of administrative divisions, Polessk serves as the administrative center of Polessky District. As an administrative division, it is, together with two rural localities, incorporated within Polessky District as the town of district significance of Polessk. As a municipal division, the town of district significance of Polessk is incorporated within Polessky Municipal District as Polesskoye Urban Settlement.