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Słubice Main Facts First written record: 1250 City status granted: 1945 Population: city - 16 650, district - 19 050 City area 185. 42 km² Population density 90 p rs /km² Symbols Useful information City web portal: www.slubice.pl contact: slubice@slubice.pl Special Economic Zone: www.kssse.pl Collegium Polonicum (university): www.cp.edu.pl Euroregion Pro Europa Viadrina: www.viadrina.org.pl City Sport Centre: www.osirslubice.pnet.pl Border Towns Portal: www.forum-miastgranicznych.net City Twins project: www.citytwins.net Historical Facts Słubice is a new town. It has been independent since 1945, when Oder River flowing through Frankfurt became a border river, and the eastern parts of the German suburb called Dammvorstadt was annexed to Poland. Various historical sources say that in the area of the present Słubice a Slavic settlement developed in the early Middle Ages. It constituted a part of the historical Lubuska Land, which the Piast country lost in 1250 to Brandenburg. This way the area in question returned to Poland after seven centuries of existing within the borders of German country. Following the changes in the political system in 1990, Słubice started to prosper vigorously. After 1 January 1999, when the administrative and economic map of the country was changed, Słubice found itself within Lubuskie Province. It is one of 11 poviat cities and one of its 83 communities. The crest of Słubice reminds the Polish-German history of this land. After long discussions and examination, it was approved only at the end of 1975. Next to an eagle, which symbolises Piast roots, there is a Frankfurt rooster. Geographical location Słubice is a medium town located in the Central Oder River valley, in the Lubuska Land, on the border between Poland and Germany. There are three border crossings in the whole community. Thanks to railway stations the residents have convenient connections not only with the centers of Poland, but also with European metropolises: Berlin, Saint Petersburg, Moscow. Situation at the international motorway A2, which connect the capital of Germany with Moscow, as well as the neighborhood with Germany contributes to the economical attractiveness of the city. Here intersect routes Hamburg-Wrocław-Prague and Berlin-Poznań-Warsaw. The Oder River, which in the area of Słubice is navigable, becomes more and more important as regards transportation aspect. Slubice has river harbour. The following airports service community area: Zielona Góra-Babimost (90km) and Berlin Schonefeld in Germany (75km). Business activities The community of Słubice has The Special Economic Zone, which provides an exceptional chance for businesses established in the area of the Zone to develop. In the Zone operates 22 companies. Moreover in Slubice are located companies, which are engaged in international transport and logistic. The others domains of local economy are: services, building industry, trade, hotels and restaurants. There are about 3000 enterprises registered in Słubice Most local enterprises cooperate with partners from Germany. In Słubice operates incubator of enterprises - WTC (World Trade Center) Frankfurt/O-Słubice, first Polish- German joint-venture. WTC has objectives: help in Polish- German cooperation in the field of economy and support Polish-German companies. Church and religions Religions - Christianity Church - Roman Catholic Culture The chief propagator of the cultural life in the city is the Community Centre of Słubice, colloquially called SMOK (dragon). SMOK organises (in many occasions in cooperation with Frankfurt/O) events such as music concerts, local and international festivities. SMOK is also the place where many 17 18 www.citytwins.net cultural organisations, foundations and hobby clubs operate. Here is the “Window Art Gallery”, which initiates many famous international projects. Every year a famous common border party held on the border bridge takes place. The plan-air event lasting several days includes concerts, air shows, fairs and night campfires. Furthermore, in Słubice are: Public City Library, University Library, Public Music School, and Catholic Students Centre. Very important is Collegium Polonicum, a joint Polish- German university, where many famous concerts and shows are held. Moreover the Collegium Polonicum accepted the role of a meetings center, where conferences, seminars, exhibitions and popular science events in order to improve and strengthen Polish-German relations are organized. Main cultural events � Oder River Holidays - July � New-Year Symphonic Concert - January � European Days - May � Oder River Rafting - July � European Music Festival “transVOCALE” - November Tourism Location on the border decides the city's image. In only some years the town has been transformed from a centre of little significance into a town, which main income comes from servicing tourists and guests from all over Europe. Słubice is located in a region offering great natural features. It is also a centre from where you can organise trips to the town's surroundings - for hunters, anglers, amateur bicyclists or amateurs in water sports. The city is surrounded by vast woods, which local people as well as foreigners, who come here to collect mushrooms or organise hunting events and festivities, visit. The lakes and rivers offer great possibilities for anglers and amateurs of water sports. A very important spot is the historic Olympic Stadium, built before II World War. Now, after thorough modernisation, it is one of the most modern sporting venues in Poland.
Narva Main Facts First written record: 1240 City status granted: 1345 Population: 69 314 Area: 84.5 km² Population density: 820 prs/km² Symbols Useful information www.narva.ee http://tourism.narva.ee www.narvamuuseum.ee www.investinnarva.ee The border town Narva is situated on the border between Estonia and Russia, thus also on the border between European Union and Russia. Narva is the third largest town in Estonia and its human, industrial and tourist potential makes it attractive for tourists and investors. Historical Facts Narva is one of the oldest towns in Estonia. More than once has Narva found itself in the centre of the events that became crucial in the history of Estonia. The events that take place in Narva always trigger a response in Russia and in the Baltic states. In the medieval times Narva denoted the historic borderline dividing the two civilizations the Catholic European West and the Orthodox Slavic East. The waterway along the Narva River was made use of as early as in the times of the Vikings. Later on the surface road running through the town en route from Tallinn to Novgorod was used intensively. A trade settlement was founded on the road near the river crossing point in the 13 century, and in 1345 it was granted the status of a town by the Danish King Voldemar IV Atterdag. This is how the town of Narva was established. Narva has been known as a conventional cosmopolitan trading centre throughout the European history. Medieval Narva played an important role in the Baltic trade system and was an intermediary in the Russian-European trade relations. Narva has always been not only a trading town, but also a military forepost on the border, an urban fortress. Throughout its history, Narva has been under the Danish, Swedish, German and Russian rule. th In the 18-19 centuries Narva turned into a powerful industrial centre of Estonia. Built near the well-known Narva waterfalls, the Krenholm Manufacture became the largest th textile mill in Europe at the beginning of the 20 century. During WWII Narva was almost completely destroyed, and the town was eventually rebuilt anew after the War. Today Narva is one of the most important industrial centres of Estonia. By tradition basics of Narva's economics are textile industry, electric power generation and metalworking industry. th May 1, 2004 witnessed a new reference point in the history of the town - Narva became a bordertown between the European Union and Russia. Infrastructure Narva is an important transit point between Russia, Estonia and the EU states. The European motorway E20 as well as the railway Tallinn - St. Petersburg run through Narva. Both routes are used for transportation of the majority of imported and exported goods. Narva has a railway station, a bus station, open and closed bonded warehouses, and a customs terminal for cargo vehicles. The closest international airports are located in Tallinn (Estonia) and St. Petersburg (Russia). Narva has all modern means of communication and a welldeveloped banking system. Church and religion Various religions coexist in modern Narva: Orthodox, Lutheran and Catholic. In addition, there are Baptist, Adventist, Methodist, Pentecostal confessions as well as Jewish Religious Community functioning in the town. Culture and leisure The advantage of housing a large number of creative and arts organizations positions Narva at the centre of the cultural life in Ida-Virumaa county. To mention just a few, there is an 19 20 Art School, a Music School, a Choir School and Ilmarine Theatre that stages plays both for children and adults by Russian and Estonian playwrights. Main cultural events in Narva � � � � � � � International competition of young pianists from the Baltic Sea countries dedicated to the work of F. Chopin International Festival of Children's Choirs " Crystal Bell" International Bikers' Festival " Bike Fest" International Jazz Festival " Jazz karr" Jevgeni Mravinski International Music Festival Theatrical holiday " Narva Days" Celebrations of Old Narva Days Tourism www.citytwins.net As in the past , Narva remains a melting pot for nations, periods and cultures, old and new. This is what makes the town so special. The 13th century castle, a beautiful baroque Town Hall, the best preserved system of historic defence building (bastions) in Europe, Krenholm Manufacture (once Europe's largest, and an excellent example of British industrial architecture), waterfalls, and much, much more. Narva is the easternmost point of the European Union and the only location in Estonia that offers an unobstructed view of Estonia's neighbour Russia. Narva Castle on one shore of the river, and Ivangorod fortress on the other, form a unique architectural ensemble. Visitor canchoose from a variety of concerts, festivals and open-air shows that take place both in the newly-built ice skating stadium and sports centre. The most frequently visited touristic places in Narva are th Narva Castle and Narva Art Gallery, situated in a 13 century building. Narva Museum, accommodated in the precincts of Narva Castle with its expositions and exhibitions, plays a significant role in the cultural life of the town. There are some 75 thousand items stored in the reserves of the Museum. Narva Art Gallery is an integral part of the Museum. The works of both local artists and painters from Estonia, Russia and Western Europe are exhibited there. The Gallery owns a real treasure of Narva - a collection of paintings and artefacts of the Lavretsovs, a former family of wealthy merchants and patrons of art in Narva.
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