Local history

The history of Kołobrzeg dates back to the 7^th century, when a group of salt makers established a settlement in the northern part of Solna (“Salt”) Island that later gave rise to a Middle Age town. The chronicle of Thietmar from early 11^th century mentions Salsa Cholbergiensis (Salt City), which was extremely renowned at the time.

In 1000, Pope Sylvester II established a diocese in Kołobrzeg; it was to be one of three suffragan dioceses (along with the dioceses in Wrocław and Kraków) subordinate to the archbishopric established following the Congress of Gniezno. The first bishop of Kołobrzeg was Reinbern. Unfortunately, the pagan revolts of 1005 led to the diocese’s downfall. In 1013, Bolesław Chrobry got entangled in a war with German Emperor Henry II and was forced to withdraw his armies from Pomerania.

A hundred years later, Bolesław Krzywousty conquered Pomerania for Poland and took over the settlement of Kołobrzeg in 1107. Bolesław III Krzywousty was paid homage by the Duke of Pomerania, who resided in the town at that time, and the town was noted to have great wealth according to chronicler Gallus Anonymus. Christianisation began once again and was overseen by Bishop Otto of Bamberg. From that time on, German influences were more and more visible and the town gained the name of Kolberg. In the 12^th century, Kołobrzeg belonged to the diocese in Kamień Pomorski and in 1255, Duke Warcisław III and Bishop of Kamień Herman von Gleichen signed a document chartering the city under the Lubeck Law. At that time, it was exempt from all payments for a period of five years, and the new settlers were granted numerous bestowals and benefits.

At the beginning of the 14^th century, Kołobrzeg belonged to the Hanseatic League and was given the right to mint its own coins. The town was thriving due to salt production and herring fishing. In the 16^th century, it had about 5,000 inhabitants, but the Slavic population had limited rights when it came to trade and craft. They were not allowed to hold high ranking offices or work in certain professions. In the 1530s, the townsmen of West Pomerania, including Kołobrzeg, accepted the teachings of Martin Luther; the diocese of Kamień Pomorski was secularised.

The economic slowdown was precipitated by the Swedish occupation during the Thirty Years’ War, after which the town was almost completely devastated. In 1653, Kołobrzeg came under the rule of Brandenburg (later Prussia and Germany). In the same year, the city was transformed into a stronghold (Festung Kolberg). The subsequent Seven Years' War did not spare the city, as Kołobrzeg was conquered by the Emperor’s army after the third siege in 1761. Several years later Kołobrzeg’s fortifications were extended, and new infrastructure – fort Ujście and redoubt Morast – were built. One of the most renowned events in the history of the town was its defence in 1807, during the Franco-Prussian War. The fighting lasted almost six months and resulted in numerous victims and left the town completely destroyed. In 1815, Kołobrzeg became a district capital within Koszalin Regierungsbezirk.

Kolobrzeg’s status of a “stronghold” was revoked by Wilhelm I only in 1872, and from that time on, the city began to transform into a spa resort. At the same time, it became the seat of Kołobrzeg-Karlino District. Nevertheless, World War I impeded the development of the city once again; it changed from a prosperous health resort into a large field hospital. After Hitler came to power, all democratic rights and freedoms were restricted and the Nazis gradually took control over the entire political and social life in the city.

During World War II, the city was situated far away from the front and thus it was regarded as a relatively safe place, so children were sent there for holidays and school children from bombarded areas of the Third Reich were directed there to continue their studies and do compulsory labour.

In November 1944, according to the order given by Hitler, Kołobrzeg was once again announced a stronghold, and life in the city was subordinated to the decisions of the commander of Festung Kolberg. Complete mobilisation was ordered. On 4 March 1945, Soviet tanks attacked Kołobrzeg, but the offensive collapsed. Polish soldiers from the 6^th Infantry Division entered the battle on 8 March with the orders to clean the city of remnants of enemy forces. Concentrated Polish and Soviet attacks disorganised the German defence and as a result the Germans were forced to withdraw. On 18 March 1945, soldiers celebrated Poland’s “Wedding to the Sea” on the terrace of the fort, where now a lighthouse is situated. The event was similar to what happened in February 1920 in Puck.

As a result of the decisions made at the Yalta Conference, the first representatives of the Polish authorities started to arrive in the West Pomerania region after the war, and on 1 June, Kołobrzeg became a Polish city. It had to be rebuilt from its foundations as war damages were estimated at 85-90%. According to the resolutions passed by the central authorities, the town was reconstructed as a spa, tourist and holiday resort, as well as a fishing port. In the 1970s, Kołobrzeg became more and more famous and was called the summer capital of Poland. It was also known in the countries of the Eastern Bloc thanks to the Military Song Festival which was held there. In 1972, the town became the capital of the Koszalin-Kołobrzeg Diocese. In 1999, after 24 years, Kołobrzeg District was re-established (Zachodniopomorskie Province, 1950-1998 Koszalińskie Province).

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