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Revision as of 17:21, 24 March 2004 by Wik (talk | contribs) (+former)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Piła (former German name Schneidemühl) is a town in northwestern Poland with 77,000 inhabitants (2001).
Situated in the Greater Poland Voivodship (since 1999), previously capital of Pila Voivodship (1975-1998). Pila is the greatest town in northern part of Greater Poland, at now is headtown of county. Town is beautiful located on the Gwda (Kuddow) river. It is very important point of roads and railroads. First mentions about the town come from XV century.
Population
| 1905 | 21,600 |
| 1910 | 26,100 |
| 1919 | 32,600 |
| 1938 | 45,600 |
| 1948 | 10,700 |
| 1960 | 33,800 |
| 1970 | 43,700 |
| 1980 | 58,900 |
| 1990 | 71,100 |
History
Found 1380 or 1513. Pila was a part of Great Poland. In 1772 was incorporated into Kingdom of Prussia. 1806-1815 in Grand Duchy de Varsovie. Later in Grand Duchy de Posen. Since 1871 in Imperial Germany Province of Posen. In opposite to the rest of province it stayed in Germany, becoming the capital of Grenzmark Posen-Westpreussen. In 1938 included in Pommern. After 1945 annexed by Poland. Town after World War II was almost completely ruined.
Famous people: Stanislaw Staszic (1755-1826), a priest and the activist of Polish enlightment. Very active also as economist in times of Congress Kingdom.
What is interesting and old in town? For example: a XIX century building of former arsenal, St. Stanislaus Kostka church - built in neo-gothic style, Holy Family's church - built in noe-baroque style, St. Anthony church with biggest in Europe seven metre tall wooden figure of Jesus Christ (church built in 1930), museum in house of Stanislaw Staszic, two war cemeteries (prisoners from the World War I and polish and soviet soldiers killed during the battle of Wal Pomorski (Pommerstellung) during World War II). Cemeteries are in uptown part of Pila, in Leszków.
Pila is cooperated as partner with towns in Europe: Chatellerault (France), Kronsztadt (Russia), Schwerin and Cuxhaven (Germany). Town has very good speedway club Polonia, four times polish championship women volleyball team "Nafta-Gaz" and fourth division soccer club MKP 1999.
Pila is also the plural form of the Roman weapon, the pilum. Piła - polish word, in english language means "saw". German name Schneidemuehl means sawmill in English.