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154-511: The province's name recalls the traditional name of a historic Polish region, Lesser Poland, or in Polish: Małopolska . Current Lesser Poland Voivodeship, however, covers only a small part of the broader ancient Małopolska region. Historic Lesser Poland is much larger than the current province. It stretches far north, to Radom , and Siedlce , also including such cities, as Lublin , Kielce , Częstochowa , and Sosnowiec . The province

308-467: A Polish custom, whenever a new village was formed next to an older one, the name of the new entity was presented with an adjective little (or lesser ), while the old village was described as greater . The same procedure was used in naming two Polish provinces – the "older" one, the cradle of the Polish state, was called Greater Poland , and its "younger sister", which became part of Poland

462-607: A battleground, with Battle of Kliszów taking place there in 1702, and the Sandomierz Confederation formed in 1704. After the conflict, Lesser Poland began a recovery, which was hampered by several other factors. Province's cities frequently burned (Lublin 1719, Nowy Targ 1784, Nowy Sącz, Dukla 1758, Wieliczka 1718, Miechów 1745, Drzewica), there also were numerous outbreaks of plagues and typhus (in 1707–1708, some 20,000 died in Kraków and its area ) Lesser Poland

616-561: A decree of Adolf Hitler , General Government , a separate region of the Greater German Reich was created, with Hans Frank as its Governor-General . Its capital was established in Kraków, and it covered most of the area of historical Lesser Poland, except for its western counties, which were directly incorporated into Nazi Germany's Upper Silesia Province ( Będzin , Sosnowiec , Zawiercie , Biała , Żywiec , Chrzanów , Olkusz ). In Lesser Poland, like in all provinces of

770-605: A few years later, was called Lesser Poland . The name Greater Poland ( Polonia Maior ) was for the first time used in 1242, by princes Boleslaw and Przemysław I , who named themselves Duces Majoris Poloniae ( Princes of the Older Poland ). Lesser Poland, or Polonia Minor , appeared for the first time in historical documents in 1493, in the Statutes of Piotrków , during the reign of King Jan Olbracht , to distinguish this province from Greater Poland ( Polonia Maior ). In

924-558: A major East – West rail line, linking Volhynia , and Upper Silesia , but they never materialized. Desperate situation and lack of jobs caused thousands of inhabitants of Lesser Poland (especially from its southern part) to leave their land, mostly for the United States of America, but also Brazil, and Canada. Lesser Poland remained a center of Polish culture, with Kraków's Jagiellonian University , AGH University of Science and Technology , and Catholic University of Lublin , which

1078-595: A major center of Polish aviation, when Polish Air Force Academy was opened there, and in Mielec , PZL Mielec was opened, which was the largest aerospace manufacturer in Poland. Central Industrial Region, however, did not affect western counties of Lesser Poland, which had already been urbanized and industrialized ( Biala Krakowska , Żywiec , Kraków , Jaworzno , Zagłębie Dąbrowskie , Zawiercie , and Częstochowa ). The government of Poland planned further investments, such as

1232-565: A move to the hi-tech industry. Nowy Sącz had one of the first computer companies in Poland, with the largest assembly plant in Europe, but this has closed due to ownership friction with the government. The building trade is also represented in the town, which has a major European window-manufacturer. Like all the bigger towns in Lesser Poland, it has seen a significant influx of the largest European grocery chains. A main economic problem now

1386-763: A museum of Polish national memorabilia and a major cultural and political centre. A number of prominent artists, both representing Romanticism , and Positivism was born in Lesser Poland, including Wincenty Pol (born in Lublin), Stefan Żeromski (born near Kielce), Aleksander Świętochowski (born near Łuków in extreme northeast corner of Lesser Poland), Walery Przyborowski (born near Kielce), Piotr Michałowski , Helena Modjeska , Henryk Wieniawski (born in Lublin), Leon Wyczółkowski (born near Siedlce), Juliusz Kossak (born in Nowy Wiśnicz ), Józef Szujski (born in Tarnów). In

1540-463: A narrow fess Or. In addition to traditional nationwide Polish cuisine , the voivodeship is known for its variety of regional and local traditional foods , which include especially various cheeses , including the Bundz , Oscypek and Bryndza Podhalańska from mountain areas, meat products, especially local types of kiełbasa and bacon , honeys and various dishes and meals, officially protected by

1694-516: A result of their support of the failed insurrection, several Lesser Poland's towns lost their charters and were turned into villages. Among them were Kraśnik , Bodzentyn , Opatów , Iłża , Małogoszcz , Wąchock , Busko-Zdrój , Jędrzejów, Cmielow , Zwoleń , Drzewica , Wierzbica , Czeladź , Kazimierz Dolny , Wolborz , Stopnica , Daleszyce , Wiślica , Pajęczno , Lipsko , Pacanów , Ożarów , Wolbrom , Proszowice , Nowe Miasto Korczyn , Włoszczowa , Przysucha , Opole Lubelskie . In

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1848-681: A small territory of Spisz , and next year, the towns of Czorsztyn , Nowy Sącz and Nowy Targ. In 1771, the Russians and the Prussians agreed on the first partition of the country, and in early 1772, Austrian Emperor Maria Theresa decided to join the two powers. In the first partition of the Commonwealth, the Austrians seized the territory which would later be called Galicia , and which included southwestern corner of Lesser Poland (south of

2002-401: A wide autonomy, the province of Galicia, whose western part was made of Lesser Poland, became a hotbed of Polish conspirational activities. In anticipation of a future war, Galician Poles, with help of their brethren from other parts of the divided country, created several paramilitary organizations, such as Polish Rifle Squads , and Riflemen's Association . The capital of Lesser Poland, Kraków,

2156-755: Is Battle of Szczekociny . During Napoleonic Wars , the Duchy of Warsaw was created by Napoleon Bonaparte out of Polish lands which had been granted to Prussia in the Partitions. In 1809, after the Polish–Austrian War , and the Treaty of Schönbrunn , the Duchy was expanded, when northern Lesser Poland was added to its territory (with Kielce, Radom, and Lublin). Following the Congress of Vienna , Duchy of Warsaw

2310-561: Is Lake Rożnów (Jezioro Rożnowskie), a reservoir (22 km (14 mi) long, covering an area of 16 km (6 sq mi), and having a capacity of 193,000,000 m ), with many dachas and camping sites. To the north of the lake is the Ciężkowice-Rożnów Landscape Park (Park Ciężkowicko-Rożnowski). An annual festival of dance featuring children from highland regions from around the world takes place in July. Nowy Sącz

2464-451: Is a historical region situated in southern and south-eastern Poland . Its capital and largest city is Kraków . Throughout centuries, Lesser Poland developed a separate culture featuring diverse architecture, folk costumes , dances , cuisine, traditions and a rare Lesser Polish dialect . The region is rich in historical landmarks, monuments, castles, natural scenery and UNESCO World Heritage Sites . The region should not be confused with

2618-782: Is a city in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship of southern Poland . It is the district capital of Nowy Sącz County as a separate administrative unit. With a population of 83,116 as of 2021, it is the largest city in the Beskid Sądecki Region as well as the third most populous city in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. Nowy Sącz has been known in German as Neu Sandez (older spelling Neu Sandec ) and in Hungarian as Újszandec . The Rusyn name

2772-656: Is about 9,000,000 inhabitants. Its landscape is mainly hilly, with the Carpathian Mountains and Tatra Mountain Range in the south; it is located in the basin of the upper Vistula river. It has been noted for its mighty aristocracy ( magnateria ) and wealthy nobility ( szlachta ). Between the 14th and 18th century, the Lesser Poland Province of the Kingdom of Poland also encompassed

2926-456: Is abundant in castles, including Mirów , Niedzica , Niepołomice , Nowy Wiśnicz , Pieskowa Skała and Wawel . The voivodeship contains 4 cities and 58 towns. These are listed below in descending order of population (according to official figures for 2019): Towns: Lesser Poland Voivodeship is divided into 22 counties ( powiats ): 3 city counties and 19 land counties. These are further divided into 182 gminas . The counties are listed in

3080-460: Is bounded on the north by the Świętokrzyskie Mountains ( Góry Świętokrzyskie ), on the west by Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska (a broad range of hills stretching from Kraków to Częstochowa ), and on the south by the Tatra , Pieniny and Beskidy Mountains . Politically it is bordered by Silesian Voivodeship to the west, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship to the north, Subcarpathian Voivodeship to

3234-1040: Is considered to be the best technical university in Poland. The Academy of Economics, the Pedagogical University, the Kraków University of Technology and the Agricultural Academy are also very highly regarded. There are also the Fine Arts Academy, the State Theatre University and the Musical Academy. Nowy Sącz has become a major educational center in the region thanks to its Higher School of Business and Administration, with an American curriculum, founded in 1992. The school has 4,500 students. There are also two private higher schools in Tarnów. In

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3388-736: Is marked by the Liwiec river, with both Siedlce , and Łuków being part of Lesser Poland. The line then goes south, with Miedzyrzec Podlaski being part of the historical Grand Duchy of Lithuania , and Radzyń Podlaski as well as Parczew left in Lesser Poland. Between the Vistula and the Bug Rivers, the eastern border of Lesser Poland goes west of Leczna , but east of Krasnystaw and Szczebrzeszyn , both of which historically belong to Red Ruthenia / Cherven Cities . Further south, Lesser Poland includes Frampol , and Biłgoraj , which lie in

3542-477: Is rich in historic architecture ranging from Romanesque and Gothic to Renaissance , Baroque and Art Nouveau . Numerous towns possess preserved historic market squares and town halls, as in Kraków and Tarnów . At Wadowice , birthplace of John Paul II (50 kilometers southwest of Kraków) is a museum dedicated to the late pope's childhood. The voivodeship, especially Kraków, is home to various museums, art galleries and cultural institutions. Major museums include

3696-566: Is the governmental seat of Nowy Sącz County part of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship , Województwo Małopolskie since 1999. Between 1975 and 1998 it was the provincial seat of Nowy Sącz Voivodeship . Before that and during the Second Polish Republic , Nowy Sącz was a county seat in the Kraków Voivodeship . In 1951 it became a town with the rights of a county. It is the historic and tourist centre of Sądecczyzna ,

3850-470: Is the high level of unemployment which, officially about 20%, is one of the highest in the European Union . Recently the local government has tried to address the persistent economic and social problems of the local Romani community, including access to utilities and education. The city has many historic features, including one of the largest marketplaces in Europe after Kraków , along with one of

4004-791: Is the second largest international airport in Poland (after Warsaw 's), the John Paul II International Airport . The gross domestic product (GDP) of the province was €40.4 billion in 2018, accounting for 8.1% of the Polish economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was €19,700 or 65% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 72% of the EU average. The region's economy includes high technology , banking, chemical and metallurgical industries, coal , ore , food processing , and spirit and tobacco industries. The most industrialized city of

4158-495: Is the warmest place in Poland with average summer temperatures between 23 °C (73 °F) and 30 °C (86 °F) during the day, often reaching 32 °C (90 °F) to 38 °C (100 °F) in July and August, the two warmest months of the year. The city of Tarnów , which is located in Lesser Poland , is the hottest place in Poland all year round, average temperatures being around 25 °C (77 °F) during

4312-586: The Archbishop of Kraków , merged with Lesser Poland in 1790. Other Silesian realms lost in 1179, also returned to Lesser Poland – Duchy of Zator (in 1513), and Duchy of Oświęcim (1564). Both duchies merged into a Silesian County of the Kraków Voivodeship, and shared the fate of Lesser Poland. Apart from Jews, among other ethnic minorities of the province were the Walddeutsche , who settled

4466-665: The Auschwitz concentration camp with a network of subcamps in various localities. There was also a German prisoner-of-war camp for French , Belgian, Dutch and Soviet prisoners of war. The Lesser Poland Voivodeship was created on 1 January 1999 out of the former Kraków , Tarnów , Nowy Sącz and parts of Bielsko-Biała , Katowice , Kielce and Krosno Voivodeships, pursuant to the Polish local government reforms adopted in 1998. Located in Southern Poland , Lesser Poland

4620-657: The Battle of Wojnicz , and the Battle of Golab . In those years, one of the most important and symbolic events in the history of the nation took place in Lesser Poland. It was the Siege of Jasna Góra , which, according to some accounts, turned the course of the war. Furthermore, following the Treaty of Radnot , Lesser Poland was invaded in January 1657 by George II Rákóczi , whose troops caused more destruction. Foreign armies were not chased out of Lesser Poland until 1657, Kraków itself

4774-423: The Carpathian Mountains , and, except in a few cases, it has not changed for centuries. The cities of Leżajsk , Rzeszów , Sanok , Brzozów , and Krosno do not belong to historical Lesser Poland, as they are part of Red Ruthenia/Cherven Cities ( Lwów Voivodeship , around today's Lviv , Ukraine). Historically, Lesser Poland was divided into two lands - Kraków Land and Sandomierz Land, both of which emerged after

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4928-756: The Carpathians in the south to Pilica and Liwiec rivers to the north. It borders Mazovia to the north, Podlaskie to the northeast, Red Ruthenia / Cherven Cities to the east, Slovakia to the south, Silesia to the west, and Greater Poland to the northwest. Currently, the region is divided between Polish voivodeships – Lesser Poland Voivodeship (whole), Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship (whole), Silesian Voivodeship (eastern half), Podkarpackie Voivodeship (western part), Masovian Voivodeship (southern part), Łódź Voivodeship (southeastern corner), and Lublin Voivodeship (western part). In Silesian Voivodeship,

5082-729: The Early Middle Ages , the territory was inhabited by the Vistulans , an old Polish tribe . It formed part of Poland since its establishment in the 10th century, with the regional capital Kraków becoming the seat of one of Poland's oldest dioceses, est. in 1000, contributing to the Christianization of Poland . In 1038, Kraków became the capital of Poland by decision of Casimir I the Restorer , retaining its role for several centuries with short-term breaks. It also became

5236-605: The Lemko Republic (1918–1920) with capital in Florynka . Within interwar Poland the city saw industrial expansion and the railway factory expanded. In 1936, the Museum of Sącz Land was opened in the restored royal castle. Nowy Sącz had a population of around 34,000 in 1939. During the invasion of Poland starting World War II , Nazi Germany carried out air raids on 1–2 September 1939, and then German troops entered

5390-470: The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland . There are local types of pierogi , kluski , kołacz and various soups . Local specialities include obwarzanek krakowski and krówki from Regulice . Local beverages include several types of nalewki and śliwowica , including Śliwowica łącka . The Lesser Poland Voivodeships has partnerships with the following regions: In February 2020,

5544-957: The National Museum in Kraków with the branch Czartoryski Museum , one of the oldest museums of Poland, which contains works by various artists including Leonardo da Vinci , Rembrandt and Kraków-native Jan Matejko , and the Archaeological Museum of Kraków , the oldest archaeological museum in Poland. There are museums dedicated to painters Jan Matejko and Józef Mehoffer at their former homes in Kraków, to composer and pianist Karol Szymanowski and writer Kornel Makuszyński at their homes in Zakopane, to writer Władysław Orkan at his home in Poręba Wielka and to writer Emil Zegadłowicz in his manor in Gorzeń Górny . Manggha ,

5698-534: The November Uprising , which began in 1830, missed Lesser Poland, as major battles took place in the area around Warsaw. In early 1831, when Russian forces advanced into Congress Poland, some skirmishes took place in northern counties of the province – at Puławy, Kurow, and Kazimierz Dolny. In early 1846, a group of Polish patriots attempted a failed uprising in the Free City of Kraków. The insurrection

5852-667: The Polish Golden Age was very fortunate for Lesser Poland. Kings of the Jagiellonian dynasty , especially Sigismund I the Old (himself born in Lesser Poland's Kozienice ), and his son Sigismund II Augustus (born in Kraków), resided in Kraków, which was the capital of the immense Polish – Lithuanian Commonwealth. Lesser Poland's prosperity was reflected in numerous examples of Renaissance architecture complexes, built across

6006-890: The Russo-Polish War (1654–1667) . In October 1655, the Russo-Cossack armies under Ivan Vyhovsky entered eastern Lesser Poland, reaching the Vistula, and pillaging Lublin, Puławy , and Kazimierz Dolny . The invaders quickly retreated, but a few months later, Lesser Poland was flooded by the Swedes . Swedish invasion of Poland had catastrophic consequences for the hitherto prosperous province. The attackers, supported by their allies from Transylvania , seized whole Lesser Poland, reaching as far south as Nowy Targ , Nowy Sącz , and Żywiec . All major cities were looted and burned, and some of them, like Radom, did not recover until

6160-608: The San river, was called Western Lesser Poland , while Eastern Galicia, east of the San, with the city of Lwów ( Lviv ), was called Eastern Lesser Poland (voivodeships of Tarnopol , Stanisławów , and Lwów ). According to a Polish historian Jan Pisuliński , using the term Eastern Lesser Poland to denomine Eastern Galicia is incorrect, as it has no historical justification, being only a designation of nationalist and propaganda significance (similarly to analogous term Western Ukraine used at

6314-527: The Testament of Bolesław III Krzywousty , the country was divided between his sons (see also Fragmentation of Poland ). Bolesław III Wrymouth created the Seniorate Province , which, among others, consisted of Kraków. At the same time, Lesser Poland was divided into two parts, when its eastern part formed the Duchy of Sandomierz , carved by the ruler for his son Henry of Sandomierz . During

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6468-553: The Testament of Bolesław III Krzywousty . In the 14th century, Sandomierz Voivodeship and Kraków Voivodeship were created, and in 1474, Lublin Voivodeship was carved out of three Sandomierz Voivodeship counties, located on the right bank of the Vistula . Historian Adolf Pawiński, who in the late 19th century was the director of the Polish Central Archives of Historical Records , estimated in his book "Polska XVI wieku pod względem geograficzno-statystycznym", that

6622-726: The fragmentation period , both lands of Lesser Poland were frequently ruled by the same prince. Among them were Bolesław IV the Curly , Mieszko III the Old , Casimir II the Just , Leszek I the White , Bolesław V the Chaste , Leszek II the Black , Władysław I the Elbow-high , and King of Bohemia , Wenceslaus II of Bohemia , who united Lesser Poland in 1290/1291. The province was pillaged during

6776-452: The grain trade , conducted along the Vistula, and among cities which prospered in the 16th century, there are Kraków, Sandomierz, Lublin, Kazimierz Dolny , Pilzno , Tarnów , Radom, Biecz . In later years of the 16th century, further palaces were built or remodelled in Baranow Sandomierski , and Niepołomice . In the early 16th century, Protestant Reformation spread across the Commonwealth, and Lesser Poland became one of early centers of

6930-406: The 16th century, Lesser Poland retained its position as the most important province of the country. As no major conflicts took place on its territory, it was the center of Renaissance in Poland . The province was home to numerous scholars, writers and statesmen, and it was here where Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was created in 1569 (see Union of Lublin ). In the Commonwealth, Lesser Poland proper

7084-410: The 19th century. The Swedes captured and pillaged Sandomierz (where they destroyed the Royal Castle, and after the invasion, the city never recovered ), Opoczno, Lublin, Kazimierz Dolny Pilzno, Szydlow, Szydłowiec, Tarnów, Kielce, Kraśnik, and Kraków. The invaders seized the capital of Lesser Poland after a short siege , and their occupation of the province was confirmed after their victories in

7238-435: The Battle of Iwonicz, the Russians ransacked Biecz. The movement ended in 1772, and its decline was connected with the Partitions of Poland . Another local center of the movement was Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa, which was defended by Kazimierz Pulaski for almost two years (1770–1772). The Partitions of Poland began earlier in Lesser Poland than in other provinces of the country. In 1769, Austrian Empire annexed

7392-530: The Elbow-high , and later his son, Casimir III the Great , for supporting him during the Rebellion of wojt Albert in 1311–1312. During these times, the majority of the town's inhabitants were German colonists . In the 15th century it produced steel and woollen products, and nearly rivalled Kraków in visual arts. In 1329, Nowy Sącz signed a treaty with Kraków, upon which Kraków merchants, on their way to Hungary, had to stop at Nowy Sącz; Nowy Sącz merchants, on their way to Gdańsk , were obliged to stay at Kraków. In

7546-437: The French region of Centre-Val de Loire suspended its partnership with the Lesser Poland Voivodeship as a response to the anti-LGBT resolution passed by the voivodeship's authorities. In September 2021, the voivodeships's authorities revoked the controversial declaration. Football , ice hockey and motorcycle speedway enjoy the largest following and greatest success in the voivodeship. Cracovia and Wisła Kraków contest

7700-810: The Kraków Derby, nicknamed the Holy War , considered the fiercest rivalry in Poland and one of the fiercest in Europe. Most accomplished hockey teams are Podhale Nowy Targ , Cracovia and Unia Oświęcim . Top speedway team is Unia Tarnów . Since the establishment of the province, various major international sports competitions were co-hosted by the province, including the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship , 2016 European Men's Handball Championship , 2017 Men's European Volleyball Championship , 2021 Men's European Volleyball Championship , 2023 World Men's Handball Championship , 2023 European Games . Ma%C5%82opolska Lesser Poland , often known by its Polish name Małopolska ( pronounced [mawɔˈpɔlska] ; Latin : Polonia Minor ),

7854-446: The Mongol invasion of Poland, when a combined army of Kraków and Sandomierz was destroyed by Baidar in the Battle of Chmielnik . The loss was so heavy that Norman Davies wrote: "At Chmielnik, the assembled nobility of Małopolska perished to a man." During their 1241 , 1259 , and 1287 invasions, the Mongols burned major cities of Lesser Poland, killing thousands of people. Furthermore, the province, especially its northeastern part,

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8008-403: The Pilica river, with such towns as Przedborz , Opoczno , Drzewica , Białobrzegi , and Kozienice located within Lesser Poland. East of Białobrzegi, the boundary goes mainly along the Radomka river, to the Vistula. East of the Vistula, the boundary goes north of Łaskarzew and Żelechów , and south of Mazovian town of Garwolin , turning northwest. The northernmost point of the province

8162-424: The Sandomierz Voivodeship. Borders of the province remained unchanged until 1772. The only exception was large part of contemporary Upper Silesia (the area around Bytom , Toszek , Siewierz , and Oświęcim ), which belonged to Duchy of Kraków until 1179. In that year, prince of Kraków Casimir II the Just , handed these lands to Prince of Opole Mieszko I Tanglefoot . The Duchy of Siewierz , ruled since 1443 by

8316-408: The Sądecki district. Nowy Sącz has an oceanic climate ( Köppen climate classification : Cfb ) using the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm or a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification: Dfb ) using the 0 °C (32 °F) isotherm. The climate is temperate, with an average annual rainfall of about 700 millimetres (27.6 inches). During the Polish communist regime , Nowy Sącz

8470-402: The Vistula river), with Żywiec, Tarnów, and Biecz, but without major urban centers of the province, such as Kraków, Sandomierz, Radom, Lublin, Częstochowa, and Kielce. Second Partition of Poland (1793) did not result in significant changes of boundaries in the area, as the Austrian Empire did not participate in it. However, the Prussians moved on, and in 1793 they annexed northwestern corner of

8624-422: The Vistula. Residents of the province tried to improve their conditions using legal means, but when it turned out to be impossible, they took to fighting ( 1923 Kraków riot , 1937 peasant strike in Poland ). As if to exacerbate the desperate situation, Lesser Poland witnessed a catastrophic flood in 1934, after which the government decided to construct dams on local rivers. Even though Lesser Poland's countryside

8778-601: The area. However, exact location of the Lendians has not been determined to this day. Some historians speculate that they occupied Cherven Cities, and their center was in Przemyśl . Around the year 1000, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kraków was created, and its borders covered whole area of Lesser Poland. During the reign of Casimir I the Restorer , Kraków for the first time became the capital of Poland (around 1040), since Greater Poland and Silesia , with main Polish urban centers, such as Gniezno and Poznań were ravaged by Duke Bretislaus I of Bohemia . In 1138, following

8932-581: The areas stolen by Russia are not aware of their Lesser Poland's heritage. Furthermore, current administrative boundaries of the country still reflect the defunct border between the former Russian and Austria–Hungarian Empires. In 1918, when Second Polish Republic was created, whole historical Lesser Poland became part of restored Poland . The historical area of the province was divided between four voivodeships: Kraków Voivodeship (whole), Kielce Voivodeship (whole), Lwów Voivodeship (northwestern corner), and Lublin Voivodeship (western part). Furthermore, in

9086-422: The basis of the new government of the country. In other parts of the province, other governments were formed – Polish Liquidation Commission in Kraków, also the short-lived Republic of Tarnobrzeg . The division of Lesser Poland along the Vistula river, which lasted from 1772 until 1918, is visible even today. For more than 100 years, southern Lesser Poland ( Kraków , Tarnów , Biala Krakowska , and Nowy Sącz )

9240-453: The border between Silesia and Lesser Poland is easy to draw, because, with only a few exceptions, it goes along boundaries of local counties . In the south, it goes along the western boundary of the ancient Duchy of Teschen , with the borderline along the Biała river, with Zwardoń , Milówka and Rajcza located in Lesser Poland. Bielsko-Biała is a city made up of two parts – Lesser Poland's Biala (also called Biala Krakowska ), makes up

9394-443: The borderland of Lesser Poland and Red Ruthenia (14th through 17th centuries). In the Middle Ages, the Germans inhabited several cities of Lesser Poland, especially Kraków and Sandomierz (see Rebellion of wójt Albert ). In the late Middle Ages , Lesser Poland gradually became the center of Polish statehood, with Kraków being the capital of the country from the mid-11th century until 1596. Its nobility ruled Poland when Queen Jadwiga

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9548-440: The central part of Nowy Sącz burned in a fire, with a town hall and ancient town records. At that time, the town was important in Hasidic Jewish history for the founding of the Sanz Hasidic dynasty during the 19th century, the precursor to the Bobov dynasty founded in nearby Bobowa (with a synagogue with occasional services by Kraków congregation) and the Klausenberg dynasty . At the beginning of World War I , Nowy Sącz

9702-421: The city of Kraków, killing with sword all Czechs he found there". Northern part of Lesser Poland (Lublin and Sandomierz) was probably inhabited by another tribe, the Lendians , and Dr Antoni Podraza, historian of the Jagiellonian University claims that ancient division of Lesser Poland into two major parts – Land (Duchy) of Kraków, and Land (Duchy) of Sandomierz, is based on the existence of two Slavic tribes in

9856-400: The city on 20 January 1945. The city was restored to Poland, although with a Soviet -installed communist regime, which remained in power until the Fall of Communism in the 1980s. At war's end, about 60% of the city had been destroyed. Nowy Sącz was honoured for its heroism with the Cross of Grunwald , third class in 1946. In 1947 much of the Lemko population, living in villages southeast of

10010-487: The city on 6 September. Afterwards, the German Einsatzgruppe I entered the city to commit various atrocities against the population , and then its members co-formed the local German police and security forces. Under German occupation the city was made part of the General Government . Poles expelled in December 1939 from several villages in the German-annexed Sieradz County were deported in freight trains to Nowy Sącz, while many locals were among Poles imprisoned in

10164-490: The counties of central Lesser Poland, another administrative unit, Sandomierz Voivodeship was planned, but due to the outbreak of World War II, it was never created. Boundaries between two major Lesser Poland voivodeships – Kraków, and Kielce, were the same as pre-1914 boundaries of Austria-Hungary, and Russia. Nevertheless, in the interbellum period, the notion of Lesser Poland was frequently associated only with former Austrian province of Galicia . Therefore, Western Galicia to

10318-447: The country, such as Kujawy , Mazovia , Podlachia , Pomerania , or Greater Poland , Lesser Poland is mainly hilly, with Poland's highest peak, Rysy , located within the borders of the province. Flat are northern and central areas of the province – around Tarnobrzeg , Stalowa Wola , Radom and Siedlce , also valleys of the main rivers – the Vistula, the Pilica , and the San . Apart from Rysy, there are several other peaks located in

10472-400: The daughter of Voivode of Sandomierz, Jerzy Mniszech , was wife of False Dmitriy I , as well as False Dmitriy II . Furthermore, Lesser Poland's lands, especially its northeastern part, became a base for Polish troops, fighting the Cossacks, and King John II Casimir Vasa often stayed in Lublin with his court, preparing military campaigns in Ukraine. The situation changed with the outbreak of

10626-460: The day in the three summer months and 3 °C (37 °F) during the day in the three winter months. In the winter the weather patterns alter each year; usually winters are mildly cold with temperatures ranging from −7 °C (19 °F) to 4 °C (39 °F), but the winter season changes often to a more humid and warmer winter, or more continental and cold, depending on the many various wind patterns that affect Poland from different regions of

10780-435: The early 14th century became the core of the reunited nation (together with Greater Poland). The period of nation's fragmentation came to a symbolic end on 30 January 1320, when Władysław I the Elbow-high was crowned as King of Poland . The ceremony took place in Kraków's Wawel Cathedral , and the king of the reunited country decided to choose Kraków as the capital. Through 14th and 15th centuries, Lesser Poland's position as

10934-432: The early 20th century, Lesser Poland, especially its part which belonged to Austria-Hungary, was a center of a cultural movement called Young Poland . Many artists associated with the movement were born in Lesser Poland, with the most prominent including Władysław Orkan , Kazimierz Przerwa-Tetmajer , Xawery Dunikowski , Jacek Malczewski , Józef Mehoffer , and Stanisław Wyspiański . Since Austrian part of Poland enjoyed

11088-588: The east, and Slovakia ( Prešov Region and Žilina Regions ) to the south. Almost all of Lesser Poland lies in the Vistula River catchment area. The city of Kraków was one of the European Cities of Culture in 2000. Kraków has railway and road connections with Katowice (expressway), Warsaw , Wrocław and Rzeszów . It lies at the crossroads of major international routes linking Dresden with Kyiv , and Gdańsk with Budapest . Located here

11242-460: The eastern Outer Western Carpathian Mountains : Beskid Sądecki to the south, Beskid Wyspowy to the west, Beskid Niski to the southeast, and the foothills of Pogórze Rożnowskie to the north. The geological basis is Carpathian flysch  – an undifferentiated grey-banded sandstone  – with alluvial sediment from the Dunajec , Poprad , and Kamienica rivers in the valley basin. Nowy Sącz

11396-492: The eastern half of the city, and only in 1951 was it merged with Silesian Bielsko. Further north, the border goes along the western boundaries of the cities of Jaworzno , and Sosnowiec , along the Przemsza and Brynica rivers. Then it goes northwest, leaving Czeladź , Siewierz , Koziegłowy , Blachownia , Kłobuck and Krzepice within Lesser Poland. From Krzepice, the border goes eastwards, towards Koniecpol , and along

11550-482: The environment of Lesser Poland . The region has areas for tourism and recreation, including Zakopane (Poland's most popular winter resort) and the Tatra, Pieniny and Beskidy Mountains. There are ten spa towns : Krynica-Zdrój , Muszyna , Piwniczna-Zdrój , Rabka-Zdrój , Szczawnica , Wapienne , Wieliczka , Wysowa-Zdrój , Zakopane , Żegiestów . The natural landscape features many historic sites. The voivodeship

11704-483: The first years of Polish statehood, southern Lesser Poland was inhabited by the West Slavic tribe of Vistulans , with two major centers in Kraków and Wiślica . Their land, which had probably been part of Great Moravia , and Bohemia , was annexed by Mieszko I of Poland some time in the late 10th century. Cosmas of Prague in his Chronicle of Bohemians wrote: "Polish prince Mieszko, a cunning man, seized by ruse

11858-435: The following table (ordering within categories is by decreasing population). Protected areas in Lesser Poland Voivodeship include six National Parks and 11 Landscape Parks . These are listed below. Lesser Poland Voivodeship's symbols can be blazoned as follows: Coat of arms: A traditional Iberian shield gules, an eagle argent displayed armed, legged, beaked, langued and crowned Or. Flag: Per fess argent and gules,

12012-439: The future Pope John Paul II, was born. On 1 September 1939, armed forces of Nazi Germany attacked Poland (see: Invasion of Poland ). Lesser Poland, due to its proximity to the then-border with Germany, became a battleground on the first day of the invasion. The Germans attacked the province both in its northwest (area west of Częstochowa), and in the south ( Podhale ), along the border with Slovakia , which also participated in

12166-536: The historical regions of Podlachia , Volhynia , Podolia and Red Ruthenia / Cherven Cities . In the era of partitions , the southern part of Lesser Poland became known as Galicia , which was under Austrian control until Poland regained its independence in 1918. As a result of this long-lasting division, many inhabitants of the northern part of Lesser Poland (including those in such cities as Lublin , Radom , Kielce and Częstochowa ) do not recognize their Lesser Polish identity. However, while Lublin (Lubelskie)

12320-400: The hitherto divided country. There was no direct rail link between Kraków, and Kielce, Radom, and Lublin, and until 1934, when line from Kraków to Tunel was opened, all travelers had to go via Sosnowiec – Maczki. Lack of rail communication between former Austrian and former Russian parts of Lesser Poland is visible even today. Between Kraków and Dęblin , there are only two rail bridges along

12474-655: The infamous Montelupich Prison in Kraków and then murdered in the Krzesławice Fort of the Kraków Fortress , as part of the Intelligenzaktion . Because of its proximity to Slovakia , it lay on a major route for resistance fighters of the Polish Home Army . The Gestapo was active in capturing those trying to cross the border, including the murder of several Polish pilots. In June 1940,

12628-608: The invasion . Lesser Poland was defended by the following Polish armies: After a few days the Battle of the Border was lost, and forces of German Army Group South advanced deep into Lesser Poland's territory. Polish troops resisted fiercely, and among major battles in initial stages of the war, which took place in Lesser Poland, there are Battle of Mokra , Battle of Jordanów , and Battle of Węgierska Górka . By 6 September, Polish forces were in general retreat and Marshal of Poland Edward Rydz-Śmigły ordered all troops to fall back to

12782-530: The largest Polish museum of Japanese art, is located in Kraków. There are numerous World War II memorials in the province, including a museum at the site of the former Nazi concentration camps Auschwitz -I and Auschwitz-II-Birkenau, as well as the Auschwitz Jewish Center , visited annually by a million people. There are memorials at the sites of German-perpetrated massacres of Poles, German-operated forced labour camps, etc. The voivodeship

12936-558: The largest old squares in Poland The mountainous country around Nowy Sącz is also popular with tourists, hikers and skiers, especially the Beskid Sądecki mountains (part of the Carpathians ), of which the highest peak is Radziejowa (1,262 m (4,140.42  ft ) above sea level ). Nearby popular mountain resorts include Krynica-Zdrój and Piwniczna-Zdrój (" Zdrój " means "health spa"). 15 km (9 mi) north of Nowy Sącz

13090-418: The late 19th and early 20th centuries, Lesser Poland remained one of the centers of Polish culture, especially the city of Kraków, where Jagiellonian University was one of only two Polish-language colleges of that period (the other one was University of Lwów ). Another significant center of national culture was the town of Puławy , where in the late 18th century, a local palace owned by Czartoryski family became

13244-803: The location of the Jagiellonian University , Poland's oldest university and one of world's oldest, established by King Casimir III the Great . In the Late Middle Ages , Oświęcim and Zator were ducal seats of local lines of the Piast dynasty . Following the late-18th-century Partitions of Poland , the region witnessed several uprisings against foreign rule, i.e. the Kościuszko Uprising of 1794, Kraków uprising of 1846 and January Uprising of 1863–1864, and Kraków remained one of

13398-644: The longest time, was the extreme northeastern corner of Lesser Poland, around Łuków, where reverend Stanisław Brzóska was active. Since Russian military supremacy was crushing, the Poles were forced to limit their actions to guerrilla warfare. Among the biggest battles which took place in Lesser Poland there are: Battle of Szydłowiec (23 January 1863); Battle of Miechów (17 February 1863); Battle of Małogoszcz (24 February 1863); Battle of Staszów (17 February 1863); Battle of Pieskowa Skała (4 March 1863); two Battles of Opatów (25 November 1863, 21 February 1864). As

13552-647: The main cultural centers of partitioned Poland, taking advantage of the more relaxed policies of the Austrian partitioners than those of the Prussians and Russians . In the interbellum , the region was part of reborn independent Poland. During World War II , it was occupied by Germany , with the occupiers committing their genocidal policies against Poles and Jews in the region, massacring civilians and prisoners of war, including at Szczucin and Olkusz , operating prisons, forced labour camps and, most notably,

13706-402: The mid-14th century, King Casimir the Great built a royal castle here and surrounded the town with a defensive wall . Nowy Sącz was the seat of a castellan and a starosta , becoming an important point in the system of defence of the southern border of Poland. The town was further elevated in 1448 when Bishop Zbigniew Oleśnicki promoted a local church to the status of a Collegiate . Nowy Sącz

13860-562: The middle of the country, away from both German and Soviet border, in the mid-1930s Polish government initiated one of the most ambitious project of the Second Polish Republic – Central Industrial Region , which was located almost exclusively in Lesser Poland. Even though the project was never completed, several plants were constructed, both in Old-Polish Industrial Region , and in other counties of

14014-440: The modern Lesser Poland Voivodeship , which covers only the southwestern part of Lesser Poland. Historical Lesser Poland was much larger than the current voivodeship that bears its name. It reached from Bielsko-Biała in the southwest as far as to Siedlce in the northeast. It consisted of the three voivodeships of Kraków , Sandomierz and Lublin . It comprised almost 60,000 km in area; today's population in this area

14168-563: The most important province of the nation was cemented. It became visible during the reign of Casimir III the Great , who favored less known Lesser Poland's noble families, at the expense of Greater Poland's nobility. The reign of Casimir the Great was a period of growing prosperity of Lesser Poland. With high density of population, fertile soils and rich deposits of minerals (especially salt in Bochnia and Wieliczka , as well as lead in Olkusz ),

14322-593: The movement was set in the town of Pińczów , which came to be known as Sarmatian Athens . It was in Pińczów, where a local nobleman converted a Roman Catholic parish into a Protestant one, opened a Calvinist Academy, and published its Antitrinitarian confession in 1560 and in 1561. Several Calvinist synods took place in Lesser Poland – the first one in Słomniki (1554), Pińczów (the first united Synod of Poland and Lithuania – 1556 1561), and Kraków (1562). In 1563, also in Pińczów,

14476-803: The movement, when students from Wittenberg brought the news to Cracow. In the first years of the century, professor of Jagiellonian University Jakub of Iłża (Jakub z Ilzy, died 1542) became one of the main promoters of the movement in the region. He actively supported the notions of Martin Luther , and in 1528 was called to the Bishop of Kraków's court. Convinced of heresy, he was forced to leave Poland in 1535. Reformation soon became very popular among Lesser Poland's nobility, especially Calvinism , and according to one estimate, some 20% of local szlachta converted from Roman Catholicism. They were attracted by Calvinism's democratic character, and Lesser Poland's center of

14630-612: The night of 6/7 November 1918, Polish People's Republic was proclaimed in Lublin, by Ignacy Daszynski and other activists. In 1919, the legislative election took place in Lesser Poland without major problems. At that time Lesser Poland, like other provinces of the country, faced several problems. Even though major post-World War I conflicts (such as Polish–Soviet War ) did not take place there, it suffered from unemployment, overpopulation, and poverty, especially in towns and countryside. Furthermore, Polish government had to connect parts of

14784-549: The occupied country, the Nazis ruled with savage brutality, killing hundreds of thousands of inhabitants, both Polish and Jewish (see: World War II crimes in Poland , Occupation of Poland (1939–1945) , Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Poland , Nazi crimes against ethnic Poles , German AB-Aktion in Poland , Sonderaktion Krakau ). The Auschwitz concentration camp , located at the border of Lesser Poland and Upper Silesia,

14938-520: The old salt mines of Bochnia (Europe's oldest) and Wieliczka , the pilgrimage town of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska , the former Nazi German concentration camp Auschwitz in Oświęcim , the wooden churches of Southern Lesser Poland , and the wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region in Poland and Ukraine . Four national parks and numerous reserves have been established in the voivodeship to protect

15092-538: The only Polish town founded by the Bohemian king. Its name was taken from the nearby town of Stary Sącz . As early as 1329, the name was spelled Nowy Sandacz. In the 14th and 15th century Nowy Sącz emerged as one of the most important economic and cultural centres of this part of the Kingdom of Poland . The town benefited from its proximity on the trade route to Hungary due to privileges granted by King Władysław I

15246-462: The palatinates were turned into governorates . Thus, Russian part of Lesser Poland was divided into Kielce Governorate , Lublin Governorate , Radom Governorate , Siedlce Governorate , and Piotrków Governorate (western counties, with Częstochowa and industrial area of Zagłębie Dąbrowskie ). Borders of these administrative units did not reflect historical boundaries of the province. Most of

15400-417: The province are the Vistula, upper Warta , Soła , Skawa , Raba , Dunajec , Wisłok , Wisłoka , San , Wieprz , Przemsza , Nida , Kamienna , Radomka , and Pilica. The major lakes of the province are Lake Rożnów , Lake Czchów , Lake Dobczyce , Lake Czorsztyn , Lake Czaniec , Lake Międzybrodzie , Lake Klimkówka and Żywiec Lake . Most of them are man-made reservoirs. Lesser Poland stretches from

15554-483: The province remained safe. Cossacks of the Khmelnytsky Uprising reached as far west as Zamość and Lwów , but did not enter Lesser Poland. The province did not witness other wars, such as Polish–Swedish War (1626–1629) , Polish–Russian War (1609–1618) , Polish–Ottoman War (1620–1621) , and Smolensk War . Nevertheless, Lesser Poland's nobility took active part in these conflicts – Marina Mniszech ,

15708-829: The province was the richest part of Poland. After the recapture of the Cherven Cities /Red Ruthenia, Lesser Poland lost its status of the borderland, and both regions created an economic bridge between Poland and the ports of the Black Sea . The king, who drew Jewish settlers from across Europe to his country , built several castles along western border of Lesser Poland, with the most notable ones in Skawina , Pieskowa Skała , Będzin , Lanckorona , Olkusz , Lelów , Bobolice , Krzepice , Ogrodzieniec , Ojców , Olsztyn , Bobolice , Mirów (see also Eagle Nests Trail ). Furthermore, he built or strengthened castles in other parts of

15862-872: The province which was taken by the Russian Empire) was one of the main centers of the January Uprising (1863–1864). In the first days of the insurrection, skirmishes with the Russian Army took place in such towns, as Łuków , Kraśnik , Szydłowiec , Bodzentyn , and Suchedniów . Since the Poles were poorly armed, the Russians did not have major problems with them, and soon afterwards, the insurrectionists decided to organize military camps. Among biggest camps in Lesser Poland, there were Ojców (3000 soldiers), and Wąchock , where Marian Langiewicz gathered up to 1500 people. The uprising died out by early spring of 1864, and among counties where it continued for

16016-542: The province – Pilsko , Babia Góra , Turbacz , as well as Łysica in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains. The southern part of the province is covered by the Carpathian Mountains , which are made of smaller ranges, such as Pieniny , Tatry , and Beskidy . Almost the whole area is located in the Vistula Basin, with the exception of the western and southern parts, belonging to the Odra and Dunaj Basins. The main rivers of

16170-646: The province, such as Szydlow , Chęciny , Wiślica , Radom, Niedzica , Opoczno, Lublin , Sandomierz , as well as the Wawel Castle . Also, during his reign (1333–1370), Casimir the Great founded on Magdeburg rights several cities, urbanizing hitherto rural province. Among major Lesser Poland's cities founded by the King, there are: In the Kingdom of Poland , Lesser Poland was made of three voivodeships – Kraków Voivodeship , Sandomierz Voivodeship , and Lublin Voivodeship , created in 1474 out of eastern part of

16324-532: The province, together with the city of Częstochowa, and its vicinity, which became part of the newly created province of South Prussia . Therefore, in late 1793, Lesser Poland was already divided between three countries – Austrian Empire (south of the Vistula), Kingdom of Prussia (Częstochowa and northwestern corner), and still existing Commonwealth. After the Third Partition (1795), most of Lesser Poland

16478-610: The province. In 1499, hitherto Gothic Wawel Castle was damaged in a fire, and a few years later, Sigismund I, with help of the best native and foreign artists (such as Francesco the Florentine, Bartholomeo Berrecci or Niccolo Castiglione ) refurbished the complex into a splendid Renaissance palace. Furthermore, in the early 16th century, several palaces were built in Lesser Poland – in Drzewica , Szydłowiec , Ogrodzieniec , and Pieskowa Skała . The province became rich mostly due to

16632-428: The province. The brand new city of Stalowa Wola was established in dense forests, around a steel mill . In the late 1930s, Lesser Poland was quickly changing, as construction of several factories, and job opportunities caused influx of rural inhabitants to the towns. Such towns, as Dębica , Starachowice , Puławy , or Kraśnik , quickly grew, with their population rising. Earlier, in 1927, Lesser Poland's Dęblin became

16786-409: The resistance rescued Jan Karski from a hospital there, and a year later 32 people were shot in reprisal for the escape; several others were sent to concentration camps . The regional Jewish community numbered about 25,000 before World War II, and nearly a third of the town's population was Jewish; ninety per cent of them died or did not return. The Nowy Sącz Ghetto for around 20,000 Jewish people

16940-507: The same time by the Ukrainian side), which served in the 1920s and 1930s to make a stronger connection of the area between rivers of San and Zbruch with the Polish state and to emphasize the allegedly indigenously Polish nature of that region. In late 1918, Lesser Poland emerged as one of main centers of fledgling Polish administration and independence movement. According to historian Kazimierz Banburski of Tarnów's District Museum, Tarnów

17094-655: The school, there were Johannes Crellius , Corderius , and Valentinus Smalcius (who translated into German the Racovian Catechism ). In 1572, the Jagiellon dynasty died out, and next year, Henry III of France became first elected king of the country. After his short reign, and War of the Polish Succession (1587–88) , which also took place in Lesser Poland, the new ruler was Stephen Báthory of Poland , who died in 1586. The ruler from Transylvania

17248-400: The secondary lines of defences at the Vistula and San Rivers. German units entered Częstochowa on 3 September (where on the next day they murdered hundreds of civilians ), Kielce on 5 September, Kraków on 6 September, and Radom on 8 September (see also Battle of Radom ). Within a week, almost whole Lesser Poland was under Nazi occupation. Northeastern part of the province, the area of Lublin,

17402-664: The size of Kraków Voivodeship was 19,028 km . Sandomierz Voivodeship had an area of 25,762 km , and Lublin Voivodeship had an area of 11,033 km . Together with the Duchy of Siewierz (607 km ), and the parts of Spiš that belonged to Poland after the Treaty of Lubowla (1211 km ), the total area of Lesser Poland was 57,640 square kilometers. Apart from the three historic lands, Lesser Poland includes other smaller regions, such as Podhale , Ponidzie , and Zagłębie Dąbrowskie . Zygmunt Gloger in his work Historical geography of land of ancient Poland ( Geografia historyczna ziem dawnej Polski ) states that according to

17556-693: The so-called Brest Bible was translated into Polish. In 1570, the Sandomierz Agreement was signed by a number of Protestant groups, with the exception of the Polish Brethren , another religious group very influential in Lesser Poland. The Brethren had their center in Lesser Poland's village of Raków , where a main Arian printing press, as well as a college, known as Akademia Rakowska ( Gymnasium Bonarum Artium ) founded in 1602 were located. Among distinguished European scholars associated with

17710-500: The social and political changes in Poland that started in 1989, the industry has faced economic problems. Nowy Sącz is also important in the food industry, specialising in processing fruits, especially apples. Most of the factories were in the Biegonice district. Now the local government is trying to change the structure of the industry, restructuring old factories and encouraging new companies to start up. This initiative also includes

17864-669: The southeastern corner on Lesser Poland's historical Lublin Voivodeship, close to the border with Red Ruthenia/Cherven Cities. The border then goes west of Biłgoraj, turning south, towards Leżajsk (which belongs to Red Ruthenia/Cherven Cities). The boundary between Lesser Poland and Red Ruthenia/Cherven Cities was described by Ukrainian historian and geographer Myron Korduba as being along the line Dukla – Krosno – Domaradz – Czudec – Krzeszów nad Sanem . The border towns of Lesser Poland were: Rudnik , Kolbuszowa , Ropczyce , Sędziszów Małopolski , Strzyżów , Jasło , Gorlice , and Biecz . The southern border of Lesser Poland goes along

18018-534: The town was annexed by the Habsburg Empire and made part of newly formed Galicia , where it remained until November 1918. Nowy Sącz rose to new prominence in the 19th century when the Austrian authorities built a railway connecting it with Vienna (1880s). Nowy Sącz was the seat of a county, new buildings were opened, the town was a rail hub with a large rail repair shop opened in 1876. On 17 April 1894,

18172-733: The town, and during the Swedish invasion of Poland , the town was captured by the Swedes (late 1655), who burned and looted it. Nowy Sącz was a centre of the rebellion against the invaders. The decline of the town continued in the 18th century, when Nowy Sącz suffered more destruction during the Great Northern War and the Bar Confederation , when the castle was burned. In 1772, during the First Partition of Poland ,

18326-652: The town, was deported in Action Vistula (mostly to land recently regained from Germany ) in reaction to the nationalist Ukrainian activity in the region. Nowy Sącz is located at the confluence of the Kamienica River and Dunajec , about 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of the Slovak border, in the Sądecka Valley ( Kotlina Sądecka ) at an altitude of 381 metres (1,250 feet ). It is surrounded by ranges of

18480-573: The verge of extinction, most notably Wymysorys -speaking Vilamovians , Halcnovians , Gorals , Lemkos , and once Polish Jews and Walddeutsche Germans . Lesser Poland lies in the area of the upper confluence of the Vistula river and covers a large upland, including the Świętokrzyskie Mountains with the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland further west, Małopolska Upland , Sandomierz Basin , and Lublin Upland . Unlike other historical parts of

18634-620: The voivodeship is Kraków . The largest regional enterprise operates here, the Tadeusz Sendzimir Steelworks in Nowa Huta , employing 17,500 people. Another major industrial center is located in the west, in the neighborhood of Chrzanów (chiefly the production of railway engines) and Oświęcim (chemical works). Kraków Park Technologiczny, a special economic zone , has been established within the voivodeship. There are almost 210,000 registered economic entities operating in

18788-552: The voivodeship, mostly small and medium-sized, of which 234 belong to the state-owned sector. Foreign investment, growing in the region, reached approximately US$ 18.3 billion by the end of 2006. A total of 130,000 students attend fifteen Kraków institutions of higher learning. The Jagiellonian University , the largest university in the city (44,200 students), was founded in 1364 as Cracow Academy . Nicolaus Copernicus and Karol Wojtyła ( Pope John Paul II ) graduated from it. The AGH University of Science and Technology (29,800 students)

18942-554: The world. Błędów Desert , the only desert in Poland, is located in Lesser Poland, where temperatures can often reach 38 °C (100 °F) in the summer. Lesser Poland Voivodeship is the voivodeship with the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Poland with six entries, encompassing the Kraków Old Town with the Wawel Royal Castle , former main royal residence and burial site of Polish monarchs,

19096-464: Was Novyj Sanc. Its Yiddish names include צאַנז ( Tsanz ) and נײַ-סאַנץ ( Nay-Sants ). Nowy Sącz was founded on 8 November 1292 by the Polish and Bohemian ruler Wenceslaus II , on the site of an earlier village named Kamienica. The foundation of Nowy Sącz took place due to the efforts of Bishop of Kraków , Paweł of Przemanków  [ pl ] , who owned Kamienica. Upon request of the bishop, Wenceslaus II granted it Magdeburg rights , making it

19250-492: Was a royal city of Poland, administratively located in the Kraków Voivodeship in the Lesser Poland Province . Nowy Sącz prospered in the Polish Golden Age (16th century). It was an important centre of the Protestant Reformation . Local leader of the Polish Brethren , Stanisław Farnowski, was very popular among local nobility . Good times ended in the 17th century. In 1611 a great fire destroyed much of

19404-511: Was a key center of pro-independence movements, with such individuals, as Józef Piłsudski , being actively involved in those activities. In August 1914, after the outbreak of World War I, Pilsudski's Legions crossed the Austrian – Russian border north of Kraków, and entered Congress Poland . However, the Pilsudski and his soldiers were disappointed to see that the inhabitants of Kielce did not welcome them with joy. The division of Lesser Poland

19558-517: Was administered by Austria, while northern, larger part of the province ( Częstochowa , Sosnowiec , Kielce, Radom, Lublin, Sandomierz ) was forcibly part of the Russian Empire . Inhabitants of Austrian part of Poland enjoyed limited autonomy, with Polish language institutions, such as Jagiellonian University . At the same time, Russian-controlled Poland was subject to Russification . As a result of decades of this division, most inhabitants of

19712-560: Was almost exclusively Polish, its towns and cities were inhabited by numerous Jews , whose communities were very vibrant. In Kraków, Jews made 25% of the population, in Lublin – 31%, in Kielce – 30%, and in Radom – 32%. Apart from the Jews, and Gypsies scattered in the south, there were no other significant national minorities in interbellum Lesser Poland. Since Lesser Poland was safely located in

19866-426: Was annexed by Austria, with all major cities. Prussia managed to seize a small, western part of the province, with the towns of Siewierz , Zawiercie , Będzin , and Myszków , calling this land New Silesia , while the Austrians decided to name newly acquired lands of northern Lesser Poland West Galicia . In 1803, West Galicia was merged with Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria , but retained some autonomy. Lesser Poland

20020-891: Was codified in the Łaski's Statute , and the Crown Tribunal (the highest appeal court in the Crown of the Polish Kingdom) held its sessions in Lublin. In 1525, the Treaty of Kraków was signed, ending the Polish–Teutonic War . Lesser Poland also is home to the oldest Polish university – the Jagiellonian University , founded in 1364 by Casimir the Great, and several outstanding figures of early Polish culture were born here, such as Jan Kochanowski , Mikołaj Rej , Jan z Lublina , Mikołaj Gomółka , Maciej Miechowita , Marcin Kromer , Łukasz Górnicki , and Mikołaj Radomski . In

20174-479: Was declared an independent Voivodeship as early as 1474, it still has speakers of the Lesser Polish dialect . Across history, many ethnic and religious minorities existed in Lesser Poland as they fled persecution from other areas or countries. Poland's once tolerant policy towards these minorities allowed them to flourish and create separate self-governing communities. Some minorities still remain, but are on

20328-652: Was discussed. Anti-Nazi resistance was particularly strong in Lesser Poland, and it was in the extreme northwestern corner of the province (around Opoczno), that armed struggle against the occupiers began in late 1939 and early 1940 (see Henryk Dobrzański ). Structures of the Home Army were well-developed in the region. Lesser Poland's independent areas of the Home Army were located in Kraków, Kielce-Radom, and Lublin. During Operation Tempest in mid-1944, several Lesser Poland's towns were liberated, also uprising in Kraków

20482-661: Was established by the German authorities near the castle. Its inhabitants were deported aboard Holocaust trains to Belzec extermination camp over three days in August 1942 and murdered. Across the river in the Jewish Cemetery, 300–500 Polish people were executed for their participation in the sheltering of Jews . Several Poles were also held by the occupiers in the local prison for helping Jews, before being deported to concentration camps. The Red Army fought its way into

20636-411: Was followed by Sigismund III Vasa of Sweden, whose election marked gradual decline of the province. Sigismund's eyes were set on Sweden, and for many years he concentrated his efforts on a futile attempt to regain his former Swedish throne (see Polish–Swedish union , War against Sigismund ). Therefore, Lesser Poland, located in southwestern corner of the Commonwealth, began to lose its importance, which

20790-574: Was held by the Poles until 17 September, but eventually, and after fierce battles (see Battle of Tomaszów Lubelski ), all Lesser Poland was firmly under Nazi control. First draft of Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact stipulated that northeastern Lesser Poland (east of the Vistula river) was to be occupied by the Soviet Union, and forces of the Red Army reached the area of Lublin after 20 September, but withdrew east on 28 September. On 12 October 1939, upon

20944-456: Was marked in 1596, when Sigismund moved his permanent residence, court and the crown headquarters to centrally-located Warsaw. Even though first half of the 17th century was filled with wars, all major conflicts did not reach Lesser Poland, and the province continued to prosper, which was reflected in its castles and palaces, such as the enormous Krzyztopor . Apart from minor wars, such as Zebrzydowski Rebellion , and Kostka-Napierski Uprising ,

21098-606: Was more visible than ever. During World War I, Lesser Poland became one of main theaters of the Eastern Front . Russian push into the territory of Austria – Hungary resulted in the Battle of Galicia . Among other major battles which took place in Lesser Poland, there are the Battle of the Vistula River , and the Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive . After Russian troops had retreated east , whole province

21252-475: Was occupied by the Russian Army . The Russians were driven back by the Central Powers in December 1914. In the final stages of the war, on 31 October – 1 November 1918, Poles stationed in the Austrian 10th Infantry Regiment in the city and local members of the secret Polish Military Organisation liberated it from Austrian rule, almost two weeks before Poland regained independence. Nowy Sącz and its surroundings, including Nowy Targ and Sanok , were claimed by

21406-492: Was often raided by the Lithuanians , Rusyns , Yotvingians , and Old Prussians . The city of Lublin suffered most frequently – among others, it was burnt by the Rusyns in 1244, the Lithuanians 1255, the Prussians in 1266, and the Yotvingians in 1282. Another center of the province, Sandomierz, was destroyed by the Tartars in 1260, and burnt by the Lithuanians in 1349. Unlike other Polish provinces, especially Silesia , Lesser Poland did not undergo further fragmentation, and in

21560-475: Was one of main centers of the Bar Confederation . On 21 June 1786 in Kraków, local confederation was announced, and on the same day Voievode of Kraków, Michal Czarnocki, urged his citizens to join the movement. Soon afterwards, Kraków was captured by the Russian troops, and the center of Lesser Poland's insurgency moved to the mountainous south – areas around Dukla and Nowy Sącz. During the Confederation, several battles and skirmishes took place there. In 1770, after

21714-420: Was one of major centers of Polish resistance against the occupiers. On 24 March 1794 in Kraków, Tadeusz Kościuszko announced the general insurrection (see Kościuszko Uprising ), mobilising all able males of Lesser Poland. Two weeks later, Battle of Racławice took place, ending with a Polish victory. The uprising was suppressed by combined Prusso – Russian forces, and among battles fought in Lesser Poland, there

21868-518: Was opened in 1918. Several important figures of interbellum political, military, and cultural life of Poland were born in Lesser Poland. Among them were Wincenty Witos , Władysław Sikorski , Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski , Józef Dowbor-Muśnicki , Józef Haller , Władysław Belina-Prażmowski , Tadeusz Kutrzeba , Feliks Koneczny , Stefan Żeromski , Tadeusz Peiper , Maria Pawlikowska-Jasnorzewska , Witold Gombrowicz , Jan Kiepura , Stefan Jaracz . In 1920, in Lesser Poland's town of Wadowice , Karol Wojtyla ,

22022-415: Was opened on 14 June 1940, and on 1 October 1941, the Germans opened Majdanek concentration camp on the outskirts of Lublin. The third concentration camp in Lesser Poland was in Kraków's district of Płaszów . In late 1939 and early 1940, in Lesser Poland's spa of Zakopane , and in Kraków, several Gestapo–NKVD Conferences took place, during which the mutual cooperation between Nazi Germany and Soviet Union

22176-503: Was prepared, but never realized. Apart from the Home Army, other resistance groups were strong in the province, such as pro-Communist Armia Ludowa , peasant's Bataliony Chłopskie , and right-wing National Armed Forces , with its Holy Cross Mountains Brigade . Nowy S%C4%85cz Nowy Sącz ( Polish pronunciation: [ˈnɔvɨ ˈsɔnt͡ʂ] ; Hungarian : Újszandec ; Yiddish : צאַנז , romanized :  Tsanz ; Slovak : Nový Sonč ; German : Neu Sandez )

22330-478: Was quickly suppressed by the Austrian troops, and as a result, the Free City was annexed by the Austrian Empire. In the same year, Austrian part of Lesser Poland was witness to a massacre of Polish nobility by the peasantry, known as Galician slaughter . The peasants, led by Jakub Szela , murdered about 1000 nobles, and destroyed about 500 manors. These events took place in three counties – Sanok , Jasło and Tarnów . Northern and central Lesser Poland (the part of

22484-445: Was recaptured on 18 August 1657. After these invasions, the province was ruined, with hundreds of villages, towns and cities burned. The population decreased (the urban population by nearly half ), the peasantry starved, and like other parts of the Commonwealth, Lesser Poland was devastated. The period of peace lasted for about forty years, when in 1700, another major conflict, the Great Northern War began. Lesser Poland once again became

22638-404: Was the base of the Lesser Poland Province , which covered southern lands of the vast country. The province was made of Lesser Poland itself, also Podlachia , Red Ruthenia / Cherven Cities , Volhynia , Podolia , and Ukrainian voivodeships of Kijów ( Kyiv ) and Czernihów ( Chernihiv ), which, until 1569, had been part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania . The period in Polish history known as

22792-446: Was the capital of Nowy Sącz Voivodeship (1975–98). In the 1950s the Polish authorities applied a special economic programme for the town, called the Nowy Sacz Experiment . The plan was to provide improvement and acceleration of the region's economic development, but it was only partially completed. The town was an important centre of the railway industry, and now contains one of the biggest railway engineering works in Poland. Since

22946-403: Was the first Polish city which became independent, after 123 years of oppression . On 31 October 1918, at 8 am, Tarnów's inhabitants began disarming demoralized Austrian soldiers, and after three hours, the city was completely in Polish hands. On 28 October 1918, Polish Liquidation Committee was created in Kraków. A few days later, socialist peasants founded the Republic of Tarnobrzeg . In

23100-406: Was the most important province of the country , several important events took place on its territory. In 1364, Casimir the Great called the Congress of Kraków , and in 1401, the Union of Vilnius and Radom was signed. In 1505 in Radom, the Sejm adopted the Nihil novi title, which forbade the King to issue laws without the consent of the nobility. In the same year, also in the same city, Polish law

23254-487: Was too young to control the state, and the Union of Krewo with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was the brainchild of Lesser Poland's szlachta . In the 15th and 16th centuries, Lesser Poland remained the most important part of the country. After the death of Casimir the Great, Lesser Poland's nobility promoted Louis I of Hungary as the new king, later supporting his daughter Jadwiga of Poland in exchange for Privilege of Koszyce . Since Jadwiga, crowned on 16 October 1384,

23408-622: Was too young to rule the country, Poland was in fact governed by the Lesser Poland's nobility, who decided to find her a husband, Grand Duke of Lithuania , Jogaila . Consequently, unions of Poland and Lithuania at Krewo and Horodło were the brainchildren of Lesser Poland's nobility, among whom the most influential individuals were Spytek z Melsztyna , and cardinal Zbigniew Olesnicki . Other famous Lesser Poland's families are Lubomirski family , Kmita family , Tarnowski family , Potocki family , Sobieski family , Koniecpolski family , Ossolinski family , Poniatowski family . Since Lesser Poland

23562-558: Was turned into Russian-ruled Congress Poland , and historical capital of the province, Kraków, was turned into Free City of Kraków , which also included the towns of Trzebinia , Chrzanów , Jaworzno , and Krzeszowice . In Congress Poland, the lands of Lesser Poland were initially divided between four palatinates – Palatinate of Kraków (with capital in Kielce), Palatinate of Sandomierz (with capital in Radom), Palatinate of Lublin, and Palatinate of Podlasie (with capital in Siedlce), (see also Administrative division of Congress Poland ). Later,

23716-400: Was under control of the Austrians and the Germans, and northern Lesser Poland was part of the German-sponsored Kingdom of Poland (1916–1918) . In later stages of the conflict, the divided province once again became a center of Polish independence movement. An independent Polish government was re-proclaimed in northern Lesser Poland's city of Lublin, on 7 November 1918. Soon afterwards, it formed

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