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Greece / Thessaloniki / Development / Mobility

Thessaloniki gets ready for its metro launch in November

The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays

Sep 30, 2024 13:49
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Spain / Barcelona / Culture and Tourism / Development

These elements will crown the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona for the highest viewpoint in the city

The cross pinnacle on the Tower of Jesus Christ will be ready to receive visitors in 2026 on the centennial of Gaudi’s death

Sep 20, 2024 17:36

Economy and Finance

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France / Digital transformation / Economy and Finance

Shops in this Bordeaux suburb accept cryptocurrency as payment

Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin

Sep 24, 2024 16:47
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Germany / Economy and Finance / Mobility

Next year, Germany's Deutschlandticket will cost 58 euros

That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass

Sep 24, 2024 13:27

Politics and Reforms

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Germany / Politics and Reforms

Voters in a Bavarian town elected a mayor whose name wasn’t on the ballot

Steffen Romstöck said that he would respect the residents’ choice and would take over the helm of the municipality, even if he didn’t run

Sep 18, 2024 13:50
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Greece / Athens / Culture and Tourism / Politics and Reforms

Athens to ban new short-term lets

The measure, which will come into force from 1 January 2025, will be partial and temporary…for now

Sep 17, 2024 16:22

Innovation and Research

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Belgium / Brussels / Energy efficiency / Innovation and Research

Brussels tries out a novel rooftop wind turbine suitable for cities

Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape

Sep 27, 2024 12:52
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Finland / Innovation and Research

AI-powered drones in Finland could patrol the skies in search of wildfires

But operating them is still illegal under the country’s legislation

Sep 20, 2024 16:33

Digital transformation

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Digital transformation / Energy efficiency

New digital map showcases creative energy solutions across Europe

The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition

Sep 26, 2024 14:09
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France / Digital transformation / Economy and Finance

Shops in this Bordeaux suburb accept cryptocurrency as payment

Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin

Sep 24, 2024 16:47

Energy efficiency

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Belgium / Brussels / Energy efficiency / Innovation and Research

Brussels tries out a novel rooftop wind turbine suitable for cities

Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape

Sep 27, 2024 12:52
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Digital transformation / Energy efficiency

New digital map showcases creative energy solutions across Europe

The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition

Sep 26, 2024 14:09

Mobility

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Greece / Thessaloniki / Development / Mobility

Thessaloniki gets ready for its metro launch in November

The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays

Sep 30, 2024 13:49
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Germany / Mobility

Mannheim debuts longest tram in the world

Plus, it has a unique modular design that allows it to be shortened and lengthened like a train

Sep 27, 2024 17:03

Public Spaces

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France / Paris / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

The Olympic Rings have left the Eiffel Tower, but they’ll be back

At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo

Sep 30, 2024 17:57
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France / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

Marseille is home to this year's coolest neighbourhood in the world

Despite its church-y name, the district has long been known as the hangout spot for the artsy crowds

Sep 26, 2024 17:37

Culture and Tourism

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France / Paris / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

The Olympic Rings have left the Eiffel Tower, but they’ll be back

At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo

Sep 30, 2024 17:57
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Spain / Culture and Tourism

Oldest inn in Catalonia marked 500 years of non-stop business

Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region

Sep 30, 2024 16:57

Education and Sport

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Budapest / Prague / Education and Sport / Social City

Here are Europe’s 5 best student cities

On the eve of the new academic year, the ranking considers several distinct but essential factors

Sep 19, 2024 17:47
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Education and Sport

Kicking for the Future: How Football Clubs are Creating Sustainable Urban Spaces

Sep 19, 2024 10:06

Welfare and Health

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Belgium / Mobility / Welfare and Health

Shhh!: Belgian railways introduce silent compartments on board

Following a successful trial phase, these quiet areas will now be available on all main routes in the country

Sep 24, 2024 18:04
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France / Education and Sport / Welfare and Health

Check out these sleeping pods at the University of Lille library

The academic institution shows a deeper understanding of the well-being of its students

Sep 12, 2024 16:24
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Poland / Interviews

Hanna Zdanowska: We are one of the leaders in eco-transition and Łódź is much greener than before

Jul 24, 2024 14:48
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews

Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh: True urban development must be inclusive and affordable, otherwise it’s not sustainable

Jun 27, 2024 12:45
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Portugal / Lisbon / Interviews

Carlos Moedas: Our ambition is to become a city where entrepreneurs can come to scale their businesses

Jun 20, 2024 13:25
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Spain / Interviews / Mayor of Europe

María José Catalá: the Green Capital mindset is transversal to all action levels and will continue in the years to come

Jun 5, 2024 15:41
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Estonia / Tartu / Interviews

Urmas Klaas: Arts can and must give people the ability and courage to dream of a future

Mar 6, 2024 12:18
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews

Wolfgang Teubner: Тhe path towards the end of fossil fuels is irreversible

Dec 21, 2023 11:03
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews / Read Twice

Ibrahim Kraria: While AI can play a role in combating hate speech, it can also amplify its spread

Aug 16, 2023 17:08
Mihaela Roxana GODINAC
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Interviews

Bertrand Piccard: If something looks impossible, that’s why we try do to it!

Jun 9, 2023 15:40
Denis Balgaranov
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Interviews / Read Twice

Maja Sever: Journalism is a pillar of democracy

Apr 10, 2023 13:46
Magdalena Magdić
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Interviews

Kaisa Karjalainen: “It’s better to be an imperfect zero waster for the rest of our lives than a perfect one for two weeks”

Mar 14, 2023 12:56
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

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Poland
Olsztyn image

Olsztyn

Olsztyn
Robert Szewczyk
Mayor

Robert Szewczyk

Biography
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The Polish city was first mentioned in 1334, when Henryk von Luter erected a watchtower in the bend of the River Łyna. He gave it the name Allenstein (Gród nad Łyną) after the largest river flowing through Olsztyn. Allenstein (for the Poles Holstin and later Olstyn) received city rights in 1353. The principal and first mayor of Olsztyn was Johannes von Leysen.

Numerous wars between the Teutonic Order and Poland in the 15th century repeatedly destroyed the young city. In 1414, Olsztyn suffered from the army of King Władysław Jagiełło. In 1454 the local people took part in the uprising against the Order and occupied the castle, acknowledging the supremacy of the Polish king, but a year later the town returned to the control of the Knights again. It was only thanks to the Second Peace of Toruń (1466) that Olsztyn, along with Warmia, found itself within the borders of Poland. The next war with the Order in the years 1519-1521 ravaged Warmia. The contemporary administrator of the property of the Warmia chapter was the Frombork canon - Nicolaus Copernicus. In 1521, he successfully prepared the Olsztyn castle to defend against the expected attack of the Teutonic Knights.

The next century was a time of prosperity for the city, conveniently located on the busy route Królewiec-Warsaw. Development however was slowed down by war that raged in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the great plague of 1709-1712 that decimated the population of the city. As a result of the First Partition of Poland (1772), Warmia and Olsztyn were incorporated into Prussia.

During the Napoleonic wars, the city was once again destroyed. After 1818, the city buildings went beyond the walls of the Old Town. The second half of the nineteenth century was a time of dynamic development. In 1867, a modern hospital was built, in 1872, Olsztyn was the first railway stop to be included in the route connecting Toruń and Insterburg. In 1890, the first gas streetlamps were lit up. Two years layer the first telephone rang, six years later a modern sewage system was built, and in 1907 Olsztyn was electrified. Trams appeared on the streets of the city. In 1910, the first plane landed in Dajtki.

After the First World War - in 1920 - the Plebiscite decided on the future of the southern part of East Prussia. Olsztyn and Warmia remained in Germany. On January 22, 1945, Olsztyn was occupied by the Red Army. After a few days of stationing, the Red Army set fire to the city and almost half of the buildings, including the Old Town, were destroyed.

After 1945, Olsztyn became the capital of the province. Today, Olsztyn is also an important tourist centre, mainly thanks to its location among lakes and forests, but also thanks to numerous monuments and other tourist attractions. Olsztyn's monuments are located on the European Brick Gothic Route, the Gothic Castles' Route, the Copernicus Trail, the Św. Jacob Trail.

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Poland / Białystok / Bytom / Gdansk / Krakow / Lublin / Olsztyn / Płock / Poznan / Radom / Rzeszow / Stargard / Suwałki / Świdnica / Warsaw / Culture and Tourism / Politics and Reforms

30 years of democratic local governance this year in Poland

Check out the programme headlines

Mar 12, 2020 14:38
Aseniya Dimitrova
  • en
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Poland / Lublin / Olsztyn / Radom / Rzeszow / Warsaw / Welfare and Health

Hours of silence for autistic persons to be introduced in Polish supermarket chain

Poland is another country to make shopping experience more bearable for them

Aug 21, 2019 14:52
Aseniya Dimitrova
  • en
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Poland / Lublin / Olsztyn / Radom / Rzeszow / Warsaw / Economy and Finance

Which are the wealthiest local governments in Poland?

A ranking gives insight into the fiscal power of Polish cities and regions in 2018

Jul 25, 2019 13:58
Aseniya Dimitrova
  • en
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Olsztyn / Interviews

I sincerely hope that all the revolutionary transport changes will make our city more human-friendly, greener and inspiring for other cities in Poland and Europe

“TheMayor.EU may help people see what is going on in the municipalities in other countries and inspire them to find new solutions to their own local problems.”

Jul 03, 2018 09:35
Monika Dimitrova

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