Local history
Information about the town – Polska / dolnośląskie
The town is mentioned for the first time in 1149 in a document by Bolesław IV the Curly. Its advantageous position by the junction of trade routes from Germany to Kiev and from Greater Poland to Bohemia stimulated the settlement's development. In the 12th - 13th c., Legnica was the seat of the Piast Duchy. In the first half of the 13th c., a defensive castle was built in the town. In 1241, a battle with the Mongol forces was waged in the vicinity of Legnica. The town was granted the town charter based on the Magdeburg rights in 1264. In the 13th - 14th c., the town was an important center of the drapery trade and beer brewing. In 1329, Bolesław III the Generous, Duke of Legnica and Brzeg, acknowledged the Czech superiority. Since then, the town was under Czech rule, and its political situation resembled that of Silesia. In the 14th c., defensive walls with towers were built. In 1522, the town residents converted to Lutheranism, and Legnica became a prominent center of the reformation, with its own Lutheran university and a printing shop. During the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) Legnica was transformed into a fortress. Towards the end of the war, a massive fire ravaged the city. In 1675, Legnica came under rule of the German emperors of the House of Hapsburg. In 1742, it became part of Prussia. In the second half of the 19th c. Legnica experienced a period of economic prosperity.
During WWII, on 9 February 1945, Legnica was taken over by the Red Army, which devastated almost 60% of buildings.
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