Miasta Slupska,
Polska
Carlisle’s desire for an Eastern Bloc partner began in the early
1980s. In 1986 Carlisle raised the possibility of a three-way
twinning including an Eastern Bloc country with Stadt Flensburg,
Carlisle’s German twin town. Flensburg was enthusiastic and
suggested a Polish partner. It was agreed that any three-way link
would best be set up by Carlisle approaching the Polish town
first.
With the assistance of the British Council and the Polish
Embassy in London Miasta Slupsk in North Poland was proposed as a
suitable twinning partner in early 1987. During the Carlisle
Delegation visit in April 1987 Slupsk was acquainted with
Carlisle and Flensburg’s desire for a three way link.
Carlisle’s official partnership with Slupsk began on 3rd April
1987 and on June 1988 our two cities forged a ground breaking and
historic three-way link with Flensburg – the first such English,
German and Polish linkage in Europe.
Since 1993 Slupsk has participated in the Council of Europe ‘s
Europe Prize competition. This competition was set up in 1955 to
reward European municipalities and local and regional authorities
which have made a distinctive commitment to promoting the European
Ideal. Slupsk's honours so far include:- 1993 awarded the Diploma,
1994 the European Flag and in 1997 the Plaque of Honour.
Slupsk
Like Carlisle Slupsk is a northern city which through history
has been influenced by two cultures – Polish and German. At the
birth of the Polish state Slupsk was a castle settlement inhabited
by the Kashubian folk. By medieval times it had developed into an
urban centre under the authority of the princes of western
Pomerania. Its sovereign, Prince Swietopelk II, granted the town
city rights in about 1265.
The princes of Western Pomerania ruled Slupsk until their
extinction in 1637. The city’s economic, social and architectural
development progressed due to the affluence of the German people.
Slupsk became a brewing and amber processing centre and with its
own harbour at Ustka could participate in the Hansiatic Baltic
trade.
In 1653 Brandenburg Hohenzollern took over the eastern part of
the Pomeranian principality including Slupsk. The city was later
incorporated into Prussia and from the late19th century, Germany,
until the arrival of the Soviet Army on 8th March 1945.
From the mid 18th century handicrafts and industries such as
food processing, furniture making and agricultural machinery
production developed albeit disturbed by war.
By the end of 19th century the key industries were metal
processing and the production of building materials. Slupsk was
occupied – without any fight – by Soviet troops on 8th March 1945.
The next day suffered its second burning in its history resulting
in the loss of 35% of its buildings.
Today Slupsk is an open city shaped by two domains – tourism and
industry. Here the tourist can find many attractions including the
old town with its marvellous architecture, the rich collections of
the Museum of Mid-Pomerania and the beauty of the surrounding area
including the renowned Slowinski National Park. Slupsk’s business
community welcomes investors as Poland strives to meet the economic
requirements for joining the European Union.
For further information visit