Włocławek

Wloclawek.ogg) is a town in central Poland on the Vistula river, with a population of approximately 123,000. It is situated in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodship and until 1999 was the capital of Włocławek Voivodship.

History

The Diocese of Włoclawek (Latin: Vladislaviensis) in Kuyavia, near Płock, was first mentioned in a papal bull issued by Pope Eugene III in 1148. The first bishop of Włocławek was Warner (presumably from Germany), whose name appears in the 1148 bull, followed by Onoldius from Italy. At some time the diocese was recorded as Vladislaviensis et Pomeraniae ("Włoclawek and Pomerania").

The name Vladislaviensis and the timeframe point to Władysław II the Exile or his grandfather Władysław I Herman, as well as to Vladislav II of Bohemia, as possible namegivers. Various unsubstantiated claims as to various different years of establishment have been made by several Polish historians since the 16th century.

When annexed by Nazi Germany during World War II from 1939-1945, Włoclawek was re-named to Leslau which is the name Germans used for the city since middle ages.

For reference see Catholic Encyclopedia outside link: ^*

Sports

Anwil Włocławek - men's basketball team, former Polish Champion, 4th in Era Basket Liga in 2003/2004 season.
Kujawiak Hydrobudowa Włocławek - men football team, winner of regional 3rg league group 2004, promoted to play in 2nd league in season 2004/2005

Major corporations

Akzo Nobel - Nobiles Kujawska Fabryka Farb i Lakierów Sp. z.o.o.
Anwil SA
Fabryka Lin i Drutu Drumet SA

Education

Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczno-Ekonomiczna* Wyższa Szkoła Informatyki in Łódź, branch in Włocławek

People

Sholem Asch
Bronisław Dembowski (b. 1927) - bishop of Włocławek (1992-2003)
Anton Denikin
Jan Nagórski
Leon Marchlewski
Henryk Muszyński - bishop
Marcel Reich-Ranicki
Tadeus Reichstein
Włodzimierz Stanny
Jakub Świnka
Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński, enrolled in the Roman Catholic seminary in Włocławek

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