Biała Piska

Biała Piska [ˈbʲawa ˈpʲiska] (German: Gehlen, later Bialla, 1938-1945 Gehlenburg) is a town in Pisz County, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland, with 4,036 inhabitants (2004).

Geography

Biała Piska is a recreation area in the Masurian Lake District, located in the eastern part of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, on the east coast of Śniardwy, the largest of the lakes. To the south is the Puszcza Piska, a heath with large forests. It is situated at the intersection of Highways 16 (Olsztyn-Ełk) and 58 (Szczytno–Grajewo).

History

The town was established in 1428 as a German farming village "Auf der Gaylen", in the monastic state of the Teutonic Knights. In 1480 a church was built there. In the 16th century it grew rapidly in the Duchy of Prussia, as trading increased between the Germans and Poles. In the middle of the century there were 38 farms and three mills. In 1645 it gained the right to have four markets per year. In 1656 it was pillaged by the Tatars, plundered and burned, and many residents died or were displaced. It became part of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1701.

From 1709-1711, there was a plague epidemic, which killed 315 residents. Nonetheless, the economic development continued apace, and the settlement received its town charter in 1722 from King Frederick William I of Prussia. A royal resettlement program brought many new residents, especially artisans. Between 1756 and 1763, a new church, a 1.65 ha marketplace, a network of roads, and a new town hall were built. During the Seven Years' War, the town was occupied by Russian troops from 1758-1762. Afterwards, it became a garrison city for Prussian troops from 1764 to 1800.

In the Napoleonic Wars, Russia made the town a headquarters for their troops in 1807 for nine days, followed by French and Polish troops, demanding payment of their stationing costs, as well as bringing new sicknesses, which killed many residents. After the defeat of the French, the Prussians reorganized their territorial administration, and in 1818 the town was assigned to Landkreis Johannisburg in the Gumbinnen region. It became part of the German Empire during the unification of Germany. In 1885 the railway line from Johannisburg to Lyck arrived in the town. At that time, the population was about 1,700, of whom 700 were Polish-speaking.

During World War I, combat between German and Russian troops happened near the town, which was penetrated by Russian troops and plundered. Under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, the residents of the town voted 100% to remain in Weimar Germany. In 1927 and 1928, a new couthouse and waterworks were built. In the Germanization programs of the Nazi era, the town reverted to the "German" name Gehlenburg. In the 1939 census, there were 2,823 residents. It was nearly abandoned in the face of the advancing Soviet front, which captured the city on January 23, 1945. A few weeks later, power was transferred to the new Polish administration. The town was annexed according to the Potsdam Conference and given its modern name. The remaining native German populace was expelled and replaced with Poles.

Town hall of Biala Piska
Church in Biala Piska
Old German water tower in Biala Piska
Estate „Komorowo“ nearby Biala Piska

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Biała Piska.

Gmina Biała Piska

Town and seat	Biała Piska

Villages	Bełcząc Bemowo Piskie Cibory Cwaliny Dąbrówka Drygalska Danowo Długi Kąt Dmusy Drygały Giętkie Grodzisko Gruzy Guzki Iłki Jakuby Kaliszki Klarewo Kolonia Kawałek Kolonia Konopki Komorowo Konopki Kowalewo Kózki Kożuchowski Młyn Kożuchy Kożuchy Małe Kruszewo Kumielsk Lipińskie Lisy Łodygowo Mikuty Monety Myśliki Myszki Nitki Nowe Drygały Oblewo Orłowo Pawłocin Pogorzel Mała Pogorzel Wielka Radysy Rakowo Małe Rogale Wielkie Rolki Ruda Skarżyn Sokoły Sokoły Jeziorne Sulimy Świdry Świdry Kościelne Szkody Szkody-Kolonia Szymki Włosty Wojny Zabielne Zalesie Zaskwierki Zatorze-Kolonia

Coordinates: 53°37′N 22°04′E / 53.617°N 22.067°E / 53.617; 22.067

Authority control	WorldCat Identities VIAF: 237520343 GND: 7739087-8

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