Wałbrzych
Wałbrzych (Polish: [ˈvawbʐɨx] ⓘ; German: Waldenburg; Silesian: Wałbrzich; Lower Silesian: Walmbrig or Walmbrich; Czech: Valbřich or Valdenburk) is a city located in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in southwestern Poland. From 1975–1998 it was the capital of Wałbrzych Voivodeship; it is now the seat of Wałbrzych County. Wałbrzych lies approximately 70 kilometres (43 mi) southwest of the voivodeship capital Wrocław and about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the Czech border. Wałbrzych has the status of municipality. Its administrative borders encompass an area of 85 km2 (33 sq mi) with 110,000 inhabitants, making it the second-largest city in the voivodeship and the 33rd largest in the country.
Wałbrzych | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Wałbrzych Wałbrzych Wałbrzych | |
| Coordinates: 50°46′N 16°17′E | |
| Country | Poland |
| Voivodeship | Lower Silesian |
| County | city county |
| Established | 9th century |
| City rights | 1400 to 1426 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Roman Szełemej (KO) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 84.70 km2 (32.70 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 350 m (1,150 ft) |
| Population (31 December 2021) | |
| • Total | 108,222 (33rd) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 58-300 to 58-309, 58-316 |
| Area code | +48 74 |
| Car number plates | DB, DBA |
| Website | www |
Wałbrzych was once a major coal mining and industrial center alongside most of Silesia. The city was left undamaged after World War II and possesses rich historical architecture; among the most recognizable landmarks is the Książ Castle, the largest castle of Lower Silesia and the third-largest in Poland.
In 2015 Wałbrzych became widely known due to the search for an allegedly buried Nazi gold train, which however was not found.