 Danzig
is the German name for Gdansk.
The history of Prussia can be divided into
four periods. First period in until XIII century. Those are times when
those lands were occupied by Prussian tribes. Those tribes were trading on
a regular basis with Roman Empire and the visitors from Britain. In their
chronicles this country is described as rich and hospitable. The sign of
the dawn of those times comes with the arrival of Christian missionary,
known later as Saint Edelbert. Initially the newcomer is welcomed with
hospitality, but his strange and importunate behavior irritates the elders
and priests of the tribe, fearing of for their social position. The
missionary refusing to leave is killed by Prussians. This is the end of
the first period of the history of Prussia.
The next period starts
with forced conversion of Christianity of those lands. It begins with
prince Conrad of Masovia asking the Teutonic Order to support him
in his battles with Prussian tribes. The order supported by western
European knighthood conquers those lands and establishes here the country
of the Teutonic Order. The settlers start coming to those lands - the
German (to West Prussia) and the Masovians (to East Prussia). The towns
and castles are being built on the remains of Prussian settlements. The
country in this form lasts until XVI century, almost all the time fighting
with all its neighbors.
The year of 1525 begins
the next period - the order becomes a vassal of Poland and Lithuania.
Converts from catholic to protestant, what deprives them of support of
western European catholic countries. The new country with times grows in
strength, becomes a duchy, then a kingdom, and in XVIII century takes part
in partitioning of Poland.
In 1945 with the end of
World War II, as a result of Potsdam Conference, the Prussia is
divided between Poland and Soviet Union, and after its fall also between
Lithuania, Latvia and Russia. And those borderlines stay the same to this
day.
Gdansk (ger. Danzig) - capital city
of pomorskie province (460 thousand inhabitants in 2000), at escape of
Vistula river to Gdansk Gulf.
Old Postcards of
Danzig/Gdansk
Thanks to Castles of Poland for this information
Gdansk - Main railroad station
Gdansk - Long marketplace and city hall
Gdansk - Mary church 1910
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