Ziebice (Münsterberg)
Ziebice is a town located at the Olawa (Ohlau) river, with well preserved historical market square and other historical buildings. The town was probably founded by the prince Henryk III from Wroclaw, whose knight Konrad came to this area in 1226. According to documents of 1268, the name Münsterberg appeared in place of Sambice – a Slav city destroyed during Tartar invasion in 1241. The oldest document of Ziebice which mentioned the German name „Münsterbeck” comes from 1253. The later name of the town comes from 1428. German name of the town comes from the words „town on a mountain”, and since 1282 the town emblem presents the parish church of St. Gregory. In 1270 in the town there was established a headquarters of Cross Knights with Red Star, founded by the prince Henryk IV from Wroclaw. The name of the town was finally approved in 1276.
Based on old documents, Bolko I from Jawor was to build a castle and surround it with defense walls. It is mentioned in documents of 1301. First information about defense walls comes from 1336, probably in that time the first stone church was built in Ziebice. The town was granted by Bolko I mile and mug rights. In 1355 the youngest son of Bolko I – Bolko II as the „Prince of Ziebice” overtook the town with belonging properties and established in Ziebice a residence. In 1355 he recognized Czech supremacy and became Czech vassal. The town Ziebice was directly ruled by the Czechs since 1428, after the death of the Prince Jan 0 the last one of the Piast house. The town was under domination of the Czech house Podiebrad until 1548. The most tragic moments in the history took place during Hussite wars and related sieges in 1429, 1467 and 1488. The wars resulted in general destruction and poverty of the town and inhabitants. These problems were slowly overcome till the end of 15th century, which was influenced by extension of the guild privileges and possibilities of settlement.
After 1548 Ziebice with the entire duchy were under domination of different houses: Legnica Piasts, Habsburgs, Brzeg Piasts and in 1565 again Habsburgs who made Ziebice a Czech feud and ruled until 1654 when Ziebice passed to private possession of the Auersperg family. Ziebice remained in possession of the Auersperg house until 1791. After Hussite wars the town had its period of rise and prosperity which lasted until the War of Thirty Years. The War again led to destruction and fall of the town which was accompanied by plague in 1633. After renewal of privileges in 1655 the city was destroyed again in 1678 by a great fire.
After the first Silesian War in 1742 the town was dominated by the Prussians and until 1945 remained under German rule. After the World War II the town together with the entire Klodzko Duchy became Polish.
The most important monuments of Ziebice are: well preserved defense walls (beautiful Paczkow Gate from 1491), many old houses and beautiful St. Gregory Church (13th – 14th century, North portal comes from 13th century). In the City Hall there is a museum with unique collection of cutlery and different household appliances. Within the town limits there is also a park which was established by the inhabitants on the turn of 19th century.
