Pultusk

Establishment: 11th century
City rights: 1257
Area: 22,83 sq. Km
Elevation: 80 m
Population: around 20 000
Unemployment rate: 16,5 %
Average wage: N/A
Significant employers: Aleksander Gieysztor Academy of Humanities
Official website: www.pultusk.pl

Single public transport ticket - N/A
Monthly ticket - N/A
Taxi fares - N/A
A single room monthly rent - 200-400 PLN
A single room flat rent - 500 PLN
A double room flat rent - 900 PLN

In the Middle Ages Pułtusk was one of the most important castles defending Masovia against the attacks of Prussians and Lithuanians. In the 11th century the town became a part of the bishops of Płock heritage. Thanks to a ford on the river located nearby, Pułtusk 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. By 1595 there were more than 600 students, and their number reached 900 by 1696.

In the 14th century Pułtusk became the seat of the bishops of Płock. By the 15th century Pułtusk's merchants were among the richest in Poland. The town was granted a privilege of organizing nine grand markets a year and two small markets a week. The city also gained much profit from exporting wood and grain to Gdańsk, as well as from mead and beer production.

Around 1405 the Mayor House, also known as Dom Polonii, was constructed. In 1449 the Gothic church was added to the city's facilities. In the 16th century the castle was rebuilt by many famous Italian architects, including Giovanni Babtista of Venice and Bartolommeo Berrecci, and Giovanni Cini of Siena.

In 1566 one of the first public theatres in Poland was opened. In the 16th century the town was visited by many notable persons, such as Jan Kochanowski, King Sigismund III, and Maciej Kazimierz Sarbiewski. In 1530 the first printing house in Masovia was opened there.

On April 21, 1703 during the Great Northern War, a decisive battle was fought in Pułtusk where the Swedish army under Charles XII defeated and captured a large part of the Saxon army under Graf von Steinau. After the Partitions of Poland the town was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia. The Polish forces of General Antoni Madaliński stationed in Pułtusk in 1794 declined to obey Prussian orders and started their march towards Kraków. This marked the start of the Kościuszko Uprising.

Yet another Battle of Pułtusk was fought on December 26, 1806, between forces of Imperial Russia and Imperial France. The battle became so famous that its name is inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. After the fall of Warsaw in 1809 Pułtusk became the temporary capital of the Duchy of Warsaw. After the fall of Napoléon Bonaparte the town was annexed by Russia.

On January 30, 1868 a meteorite fell in Pułtusk. 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.

During the Nazi occupation in 1941-1945 Pułtusk was known as Ostenburg. Approximately 50% of the city's inhabitants were murdered. In the battle for Pułtusk during World War II over 16,000 soldiers of the Soviet Red Army fell. As a result of the battle approximately 85% of the city was destroyed.

• Pultusk Akademy of Humanities

Currently Pułtusk is one of the most picturesque towns of Masovia, and a popular weekend place for inhabitants of Warsaw. Tourist attractions include: a longest Main Market in Europe, Town Hall, the Castle, the Gothic Church wiith unique Renaissance stuccos, Collegiate Church and late gothic Saint Cross Church.

Pułtusk is a small town, and most of its inhabitants use the cultural and entertainment facilities of neighboring Warsaw.