| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
The town existed since at least 10th century. In the Middle Ages it was one of the most important castles defending Masovia against the attacks of Prussians and Lithuanians. According to a legend, the town initially was known as Tusk. After an earthquake destroyed half of the city it was renamed to Pultusk (Pól- or pul- being a Polish prefix for a half). However, scientists assume that the town got its name after a small river named Pelta.
Since the early Middle Ages ( 11th century) the town belonged to bishops of Plock. Thanks to a ford on the river located nearby, Pultusk became an important centre of trade and commerce. In 1440 an Academy was founded in the town, one of the most influential schools of higher education in Poland. Among its professors were Jakub Wujek , Richard Singleton , Marcin Laszcz and Piotr SkargaJan Matejko, 1862, 224 x 397 cm, Royal Castle in Warsaw. Piotr Skarga ( 1536- 1612) was a theologist, writer and royal priest of Zygmunt III Waza in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. He was one of the leading figures of Polish counter-reformation. He is. By 1595Events January 30 William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is performed for the first time June 9 Battle of Fontaine-Francaise. Henry IV of France defeats the Spanish, but is nearly killed due to his rashness. October 28 Battle of Guirgevo. Transylvanian fo there were more than 600 students, and their number reached 900 by 1696The year 1696 had the earliest equinoxes and solstices for 400 years in the Gregorian calendar, because this year is a leap year and the Gregorian calendar would have behaved like the Julian calendar since March 1500 had it have been in use that long..
The town was destroyed several times. The first was due to Lithuanian raid in 1262Events Strasbourg becomes a Free City of the Holy Roman Empire First Visconti become the lord of Milan Leaders of Iceland swear fealty to the king of Norway, bringing an end to the Icelandic Commonwealth Births Ladislaus IV of Hungary Deaths Monarchs/Pres. In 1324Events Publication of Defensor pacis by Marsilius of Padua Mansa Kankan Musa I, ruler of the Mali Empire arrives in Cairo on his hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca. With an entourage numbering in the thousands, and so generous with his gold that the the price of the town was yet again seized - this time by Lithuanians - looted and burnt to the ground. In 14th century13th century 14th century 15th century more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 14th century was that century which lasted from 1301 to 1400. Events The transition from the Medieval Warm Period to the Little Ice Age Beginning of th Pultusk became the seat of all bishops of Plock. The town was again burnt by Lithuanians in 1368Events Timur ascends throne of Samarkand. Restoration of the Great Wall of China. Hongwu establishes the Ming Dynasty in China. Some Chinese scholars consider this the end of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. Emperor Chokei ascends to the throne of Japan Births Fe, but after the Union of Krewo the Lithuanian raids were stopped and the town quickly recovered. By 15th century14th century 15th century 16th century other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. Events Renaissance affects philosophy, science and art. The New Monarchs come to power i Pultusk merchants became one of the most important and rich in Poland. The town (located on the Chelmno Law in 1257) was granted with a priviledge of organizing 9 grand markets a year and 2 small markets a week. The city also gained much profit from exporting wood and grain to Gdansk, as well as from mead and beer production.
Around 1405 the Mayor House was constructed. In 1449 the gothical church was added to the city's facilities. In 16th century the castle was rebuilt by many famous Italian architects, among them Giovanni Babtista of Venice and Bartolomeo Berecci and Giovanni Cini of Siena.
In 1566 one of the first public theatres in Poland was opened. In 16th century the town was visited by many notable persons, among them Jan Kochanowski, king Zygmunt III Waza and Maciej Kazimierz Sarbiewski . In 1530 the first printing house in Masovia was opened there.
On April 21, 1703 a decisive battle was fought in Pultusk, where the Swedish army under Charles XII defeated, and captured a large part of, the Saxonian army under Graf von Steinau . The town and the castle were then conquered by Polish forces under Marshal Wincenty Gosiewski , but were then recaptured by the Swedish forces who looted and destroyed it. After the Partitions of Poland the town was annexed by Prussia. The Polish forces of Gen. Antoni Madalinski stationed in Pultusk in 1794 declined to obey Prussian orders and started their march towards Kraków. This marked the start of Kosciuszko Uprising.
Yet another Battle of Pultusk was fought on December 26, 1806, between forces of Russia and France. The battle became so famous that its name is inscripted on Arc de Triomphe in Paris. After the fall of Warsaw in 1809 Pultusk became the temporary capital of the Duchy of Warsaw. After the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte the town was annexed by Russia.
During the November Uprising the town changed hands several times. However, in 1831 the Russian forces brought a cholera epydemic to the town. Pultusk inhabitants took part also in the January Uprising. Afterwards the town was utterly destroyed and many prominent citizens were sent to Siberia. On January 30, 1868 a meteorite fell in Pultusk. It was one of the biggest to fall in Europe and large chunks of it (9 kg each) are nowadays present at the British Museum.
The heavy fire in 1875 destroyed most of the city and was depicted by Nobel Laureate Henryk Sienkiewicz in his novel Quo Vadis as the great fire of Rome.
The town was also a battleground for heavy fights in the Polish-Russian War of 1920, at the eve of Battle of Warsaw. In 1931 the town had some 16.800 inhabitants. As a result of the September Campaign it was incorporated into Germany. During the German occupation approximately 50% of the city's inhabitants were murdered. In the battle of Pultusk during the World War II over 16.000 soldiers of the Red Army fell. As a result of the battle approximately 85% of the city was destroyed.
Currently Pultusk is one of the most picturesque towns of Masovia. Located at the Bugonarew river, it is one of the most popular weekend places for inhabitants of Warsaw. Tourist attractions include: