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Chapel in the Radzymin cementery
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Radzymin is situated 20 km from Warsaw along the route Warsaw - Bialystok. The town received city rights in 1475. Radzymin became famous for the victorious battle against Russians in August 1920. The town was visited by the Pope, John Paul II, in June 1999.
HISTORY
Radzymin included into a group of the oldest towns in Mazowsze, has got rich his-tory abounding with many important events. The history of this place goes back to the first half of the 13th century to the time of Prince Konrad Mazowiecki's reign. According to the historian's etymology of the town's name derived from an old Slavonic name Radzymir. However exists another explanation according to a legend saying, that the name is derived from the words "radze omin", which mean 'I advice you to avoid this place'. This phrase worked because of the localisation of the town surrounded by forest and swamps. It was warning for travellers not to visit this dangerous and wild region. Contrary to this, Radzymin just from the beginning of its existence- especially from getting the town rights in 1475, has been spot of a halt travelling merchants and has played very important role in a trading route. Giving the town rights, establishing the parish in Radzymin, and suitable geographical loca-tion contributed to a fast development of the town as an important economical centre in Ma-zowsze. About two hundred years has being lasted this comfortable situation, but the Swedish flood tragically impressed on the history of the town by causing enormous destruction and long lasting economical stagnation. The second half of the 18th century, often described as a 'golden period in the his-tory of the town' ended unprofitable period of town's development. Then Radzymin experi-enced an exuberant bloom during the period of perfect protection its excellent owners- Michal and Eleonora Czartoryski. At that time were constructed many beautiful buildings and objects interesting as architectonic projects, for example: the grand summer residence or a new brick-built church- designed by a royal architect Jan Ch. Kamsetzer. In 'golden period' the town was vibrant life, the court of Eleonora Czartoryska was frequently visited by king Stanislaw August Poniatowski- the nephew of Duchess- and it representatives of well-known magnate courts. What is more, Duchess Czartoryska published a unique in Poland collection of laws and obligations regulating the relations between the court and town people, that event was perceived as a leader of this kind of activity on the social area. Besides the parish during that time was managed by famous people such as- Kazimierz Narbutt- a well-known activist of the National Education Committee and Ignacy Nagurczewski- a brilliant translator of classical literature. Unfortunately the third partition of Poland limited the dynamic development of the town. At first Radzymin was the part of Austrian partition, later - it was the part of the Duchy of Warsaw, and finally- since Vienna congress in 1815- this town has belonged to the Polish Kingdom. In spite of numerous difficulties the town during the 19th century still has been playing the role as an important economical, administration and cultural centre. In 1867 the town became a seat of a newly established administrative district of Radzymin, what has increased the significance of the town and contributed to its faster devel-opment. In the latter part of the 19th century Radzymin counting about four thousand inhabi-tants was connected with Warsaw by the line of a narrow-gauged railway, which made ex-change easier and created better perspectives for small industrial companies existing here. The XX century has brought further development and has been combining economic, cultural and educational activities on this area.
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Radzymin - Grave of the casualties of the battle of Warsaw
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THE BATTLE OF RADZYMIN OF 1920
The outbreak of the World War I resulted in bringing to life an activity of the organi-sations fighting for independence. Soon after regaining the independence in December the events since the 13th till the 16th August 1920 focused the attention of the whole Poland and other countries. The direct turn in the whole battle of Warsaw and fighting associated with a defence of Warsaw against the Soviet invasion was called 'Miracle on the Vistula' and Radzymin became the symbol of these events and also of unexampled courage of the heroes taking part in the battle. For several days the name of the town was on the first pages of newspapers, because of further events and consequences of the battle. The future of Warsaw would have decided about the Polish independence and the development of situation in the whole Europe. Not accidentally these events were named 'the 18th deciding battle in the history of the world' by the chef of the British diplomatic mission in Poland in 1920- Lord d'Abernon. Especially to-day, from the perspective of the time, it is not possible to overestimate the significance of the battle for the our nation's future. The battle, that was also one of the most glorious events in the history of Polish arms. At the beginning of July 1920 Soviet troops started the main offensive in the direc-tion of Warsaw. The order of the Commander-in-chef, marshal Józef Pilsudski was sounded to defend the capital at any price. Meanwhile a replacement of Polish troops was started to prepare the offensive according to the order Józef Pilsudski, who had a plan to concentrate in the lower part of the Wieprz River and to attack from the line of river on the 17th August. Eve-rything was depended on this, whether the defenders of the capital had to suppress superior powers of the enemy until the attack group would be ready to attack. On the 12th of August were started first fights of an increasing intensity, especially in the region of Radzymin as the nearest neighbourhood of Warsaw. Firstly the enemy was disappointed that the resistance was so seriously and stronger than they had expected, so he failed. Another stronger attacks were started- Radzymin was captured by the enemy and next after the courageous attack of Polish troops-the town was recaptured. Unfortunately, the success was short-lived. There had place the most dramatic moments of the battle, when the enemy broke the second line of Polish de-fence and virtually the way to the capital was opened. The marshal Józef Pilsudski decided in this situation to attack from the Wieprz River earlier than he had planned, so the battle of Radzymin started on the 15th of August. The Soviet army's attacks in spite of primary success were ended with failure and finally in the evening that day the Soviet troops were dislodged from Radzymin. For a long time after World War II these events hasn't been celebrated, but since 1988 at the initiative of "Solidarity" and Radzymin Friend Society it has started to cele-brate the anniversary of that historical facts again. The place and its history has got a symbolic meaning underlining the significance of the battle of Radzymin to the whole defence. Also the spectacular celebrations are expressing the admiration, memory and estimation for the heroes of that battle. By no means to forget about the initiative of NSZZ 'Solidatity', which had a strong centre of activity just in Radzymin especially in teachers' environment. The activity of the union was also continued during the martial law. Elected in the first free elections in 1990 town self-government started activities aiming the delays in different fields in life of the town, which were created as the result of communist regime's proceeding.
CHARACTER OF REGION
The changes in the system on the turn of 80s and 90s as well as reactivation of the territorial self-government started a completely new chapter in over 500 years old history of Radzymin, described as a development of investment and cultural progress. There also has changed many areas of life from political sphere to economic, from education to social wel-fare and of course-in people' mentality. The citizens have involved in tackling issues of con-cern to society and have participated in decision-making and in finding solutions to society's problems. Generally over a thousand smaller and bigger economic units are acting on the area of the Town and Commune Radzymin, what does prove the significance of individual initia-tives and efficiently managed private enterprises. Despite of that, many investments should be enumerated, to prove the really high degree of modernisation and innovation. There are such a project as a gasification of the commune, modernisation of aerial and cable electric lines, works at water conditioning plant and sewage-treatment plant, building the School-Kindergarten Complex, Medical Centre, construction Radzymin ring-road, which is con-nected with the project of the enlargement of the 'Via Baltica'. Development of the town's infrastructure and permanent modernisation of access roads to the town as well as a lot of available areas for investments cause a stable increase of interest with the community of Radzymin. Radzymin is centrally located in relation to villages included into the community and the others ones, historical connected with the town villages of the neighbouring communities. The surroundings of the town are attractive for tourist because of big forests complex is in-terwoven by sandy dunes and young trees' schools create good conditions for trips and lei-sure. In this regions there are many outstanding trees, often monuments of nature, rich forest fleece and interesting, often unique animal world. The town and its surrounding have got a large number historical, mysterious and beautiful objects, which are proving its unbelievable richness and special atmosphere of this curious place. Especially the attention of foreign and native tourists is focused the church situated in the centre of the town founding by Duchess Eleonora Czartoryska and built in 1779-1781 according to the project of the royal architect- Jana Chrystiana Kamsetzera. In 1993 the church was given a significance of a Collegiate Church by the Heir in tail of Warsaw- Prague diocese. Doubtless the most excellent monument of classicist architecture is belfry design by this same architect. The whole complex: church, beautiful belfry, vicar's house and building of a former Elementary school belong to Duchess Eleonora Czartoryska foundation. Nearby on the Old Market, which is very attractive place, is situated a commemo-rating plate founded by rating the visit of Isaac Singer, the Nobel Prize in literature winner, who spent his childhood just in Radzymin. The town has got really many objects deserving for attention, for example: the plate dedicated to Cyprian Kamil Norwid - the poet coming from Radzymin land, the monument of Tadeusz Kosciuszko, the monument of Wincenty Witos - the Prime Minister of National De-fence Government. Also an old parish cemetery and 1920 Polish Soldiers Cemetery, where are four common graves of soldiers killed in the battle of Radzymin can't be forgotten. The certainly values of this region there are convenient communication location, many available territories for industrial, flat, commercial and service housing. On the other hand, there are attractive areas for use in the town's centre and meadow areas and a lot of recrea-tional territories around the town, forests, sandy dunes and two rivers.
