Wirek (German: Antonienhütte) is a district in the centre of Ruda Śląska, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland. In 2006 it had an area of 5.9 km² and was inhabited by 20,595 people.[1] On January 12, 2006 a part of it was split off to form a new district, Czarny Las.

Wirek
Ruda Śląska District
Saint Lawrence church
Location of Wirek within Ruda Śląska
Coordinates: 50°16′28″N 18°51′52″E
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	Silesian
County/City	Ruda Śląska
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Area code(s)	(+48) 032

History

Originally, the area belonged to Kochłowice. First a settlement called Nowa Wieś (lit. New Village) was established. Wirek would later be developed around Antonienhütte ironworks, opened in 1805, and became a separate municipality in 1828. In the second half of the nineteenth century, the settlement grew owing to industrial development. A school was opened in 1856; a Roman Catholic church in 1874; and a year later, a rail connection with Chebzie was constructed. The municipality lost its independence in 1870.

In 1921, Wirek became part of Polish Autonomous Silesian Voivodeship. In 1924 Nowa Wieś again absorbed Wirek. A town hall was built in years 1929–1930. During World War II, it was occupied by Germany. In 1948 Nowa Wieś was renamed to Wirek.[2]

Wirek was merged into Nowy Bytom in 1951,[3] and as part of Nowy Bytom was amalgamated with Ruda to form Ruda Śląska on December 31, 1958.[4]

Notable residents

• Franz Machon

Gallery

• 
  Mail office
• 
  Saint Lawrence church
• 
  Lutheran church
• 
  Synagogue, destroyed in 1939

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wirek.

This Silesian Voivodeship location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e