Wolomin
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Wolomin_coa.png
Wołomin is the main town of the Wolomin county situated in Masovian Voivodship. Wołomin is located approximately 20 km from Warsaw, the capital of Poland, near the railway to Białystok. It has approx. 48 000 inhabitants and covers the area of 60 km².
History
Wołomin was first mentioned in the chronicles from 15th century. It remained a small village in central Masovia without much significance. Since 19th century, and especially after the foundation of the railway in 1862, Wołomin became the place for summer holidays of Warsaw citizens. In the beginning of 20th century the Wołomin glassworks were founded.
Wołomin was declared town in 1919. In 1920 near Wołomin the Polish counter-attack in Battle of Warsaw was conducted. In the interbellum Wołomin retained its status as a multinational town. There was a big Jewish and Russian minority.
Polish writer Zofia Nałkowska had a house in Wołomin, which became an inspiration of her 1925 book House over meadows (Polish Dom nad łąkami). During World War II Jews from Wołomin were moved to Warsaw Ghetto and exterminated by the Germans. Most of the Russian community has escaped westwards, before the arrival of the Red Army.
In 1944 a minor battle was fought near the town between Soviet armoured units and German infantry. Soviet losses were high and the Red Army was forced to retreat.
After the war, Wołomin became a capital of the Wolomin powiat and started to grow rapidly. The window assembly plant was founded and Wołomin soon became a suburb of Warsaw. Even today most of the towns inhabitants commute to Warsaw on a daily basis.
After 1989 Wolomin's glassworks were shut down in the big recession slowdown. However, the technology of production of temperature resist glass, invented in the facility, allowed the factory to continue production and recover under new ownership.
Sports
- BS Sure Shot Wołomin - women basketball team, 10th place in Sharp Torell Basket Liga in 2003/2004 season, will play in 1st Ligue
External links
- Wolomin County page (http://www.powiat-wolominski.pl/index.php?cmd=zawartosc&opt=pokaz&id=141&lang=eng)
- City Council (http://www.um.wolomin.pl/) (Polish)
- Wolomin Glassworks (http://www.hswolomin.com/main.php)