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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
Świdnica image

Świdnica

Świdnica
Beata Moskal-Słaniewska
Mayor

Beata Moskal-Słaniewska

Biography
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The area around Świdnica was already inhabited in the Neolithic era. During the early Middle Ages, it was inhabited by the Slav tribe of Ślężanie. Sometime around 990 Silesia was occupied by Prince Polan Mieszko I and annexed to Poland.

Świdnica was first declared a city around 1250. At that time, it belonged to the Duchy of Wrocław whose prince Henry IV granted it its city privileges. After his childless death Świdnica together with part of the Duchy of Wroclaw fell in 1290 to Bolko I the Strict who made the city the capital of the principality.

At the beginning of the XIVth century, the city already had defensive walls with six gates, a parish church and two monasteries. In 1285, there were guilds of bakers, weavers, potters, shoemakers, furriers and tailors in Świdnica. In 1308 the son of Bolek I, Bernard, took over but was forced to divide the principality into three parts with his brothers.

The land was partly united and significantly expanded over time by his son Bolko II Mały, who reigned in the years 1326-1368. At the end of his reign, the lands of the Duchy of Świdnica-Jaworski stretched from Dzierżoniów and Niemcza to Lusatia. In 1353, Bolko II and Charles IV concluded a succession arrangement, as a result of which the Duchy of Świdnicko-Jaworia became part of the Holy Roman Empire.

Almost a century of reign of the Świdnica Piasts was a period of rapid development. Świdnica was widely known for producing excellent beer, cloth and knives. The city was ruled by a council headed by the mayor. Yet, life was disturbed by great natural disasters.

After the Battle of Mohács in 1526, where the king of the Czech and Hungarians Ludwik Jagiellończyk died in the fight against the Turks, all Silesia came under the rule of the Habsburgs, besides Silesia which remained under the Czech Crown.

The reformation caused the majority of residents to convert to the Protestant denomination and took over most of the churches, including the parish.

In the next century the Thirty Years War broke out (1618-1648) and Silesia was almost completely devastated. Świdnica was completely ruined, suffered from the plague and never regained the standing it had before.

During the war between Austria and Prussia Silesia was incorporated into the Prussian state. During the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), hostile armies besieged the city four times, conquering it each time. It was only the economic reforms of the Napoleonic Wars that caused some revival.

Soon after the end of WWII, a Polish operational group arrived in the city, took over and began organizing local administration. The German population was displaced, and Polish settlers came in to replace it. The city itself did not suffer major losses as a result of the war, which facilitated its subsequent development. In the post-war period, the industry was significantly expanded.

The year 2004 brought the creation of the Świdnicka Diocese.

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Poland / Świdnica / Welfare and Health

Świdnica fights against discrimination locally with a new public body

In response to a growing number of local acts of intolerance

Feb 05, 2021 13:42
Aseniya Dimitrova
  • en
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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
  • pl
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Świdnica / Interviews

Beata Moskal-Słaniewska: Swidnica is common and each of us should put effort, ideas and creativity into our city

The Mayor of Świdnica speaks about cultural heritage, budget 2020 and smart city

Feb 11, 2020 11:37
Aseniya Dimitrova

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