View source for Legnica

{{Short description|City in Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Legnica
| settlement_type = [[City with powiat rights|City county]]
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| total_width = 270
| image_style = border:1;
| perrow = 1/2/2
| image1 = Legnica - Stary Ratusz na legnickim rynku (cropped).jpg{{!}}Market Square and Baroque Old Town Hall
| image2 = Legnica - Katedra Świętych Apostołów Piotra i Pawła (cropped).jpg{{!}}Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
| image3 = SM Legnica Zamek (5) ID 593146 (cropped).jpg{{!}}Piast Castle
| image4 = SM Legnica Słowiański8 (1) ID 593151 (cropped).jpg{{!}}New Town Hall
| image5 = Legnica - Ulica Najświętszej Marii Panny (cropped).jpg{{!}}Saint Mary church
}}
| image_caption = {{hlist|Left to right: Main Market Square and Baroque Old Town Hall|[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Legnica|Legnica Cathedral]]|Piast Castle|New City Hall|Saint Mary church}}
| image_blank_emblem = Logo of Legnica.png
| blank_emblem_type = [[Wordmark]]
| image_flag = POL Legnica flag.svg
| image_shield = Legnica_herb.svg
| pushpin_map = Poland
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = {{POL}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Voivodeships of Poland|Voivodeship]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Lower Silesian Voivodeship|name=Lower Silesian}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[Powiat|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = ''city county''
| leader_party = [[Civic Coalition (Poland)|KO]]
| leader_title = City mayor
| leader_name = Maciej Kupaj
| established_title = First mentioned
| established_date = 1004
| established_title3 = City rights
| established_date3 = 1264
| area_total_km2 = 56.29
| population_as_of = 31 December 2021
| population_total = 97,300 {{decrease}}<ref name="population">{{cite web|url=https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/bdl/dane/teryt/jednostka|title=Local Data Bank|access-date=9 August 2022|publisher=Statistics Poland}} Data for territorial unit 0262000.</ref> (39th)
| population_density_km2 = 1765
| timezone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset = +1
| timezone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST = +2
| coordinates = {{coord|51|12|30|N|16|9|37|E|region:PL-02_type:city(98,000)|display=title,inline}}
| elevation_m = 113
| postal_code_type = [[Postal codes in Poland|Postal code]]
| postal_code = 59-200 to 59-220
| area_code = +48 76
| area_code_type = [[Telephone numbers in Poland|Area code]]
| blank_name = [[Polish car number plates|Car plates]]
| blank_info = DL
| blank_name_sec2 = [[Highways in Poland|Highways]]
| blank_info_sec2 = [[File:A4-PL.svg|32px|link=A4 autostrada (Poland)]] [[File:S3-PL.svg|32px|link=Expressway S3 (Poland)]]
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[National roads in Poland|National road]]
| blank1_info_sec2 = [[File:DK94-PL.svg|32px|link=National road 94 (Poland)]]
| website = [http://www.legnica.um.gov.pl www.legnica.um.gov.pl]
}}

'''Legnica''' ({{IPA|pl|lɛɡˈɲit͡sa|lang|Pl-Legnica.ogg}}; {{langx|de|Liegnitz}}, {{IPA|de|ˈliːɡnɪts|pron|audio=De-Liegnitz.ogg}}; {{langx|cs|Lehnice}}; {{langx|la|Lignitium}}) is a city in southwestern Poland, in the central part of [[Lower Silesia]], on the [[Kaczawa River]] and the [[Czarna Woda (Kaczawa)|Czarna Woda]].{{TERYT}} As well as being the seat of the county, since 1992 the city has been the seat of the [[Diocese of Legnica]]. {{As of|2023|post=,}} Legnica had a population of 97,300 inhabitants.<ref name="population"/>

The city was first referenced in chronicles dating from the year 1004,<ref name=EB1911>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Liegnitz |volume=16 |page=594}}</ref> although previous settlements could be traced back to the 7th century. The name "Legnica" was mentioned in 1149 under [[High Duke of Poland]] [[Bolesław IV the Curly]]. Legnica was most likely the seat of Bolesław and it became the residence of the [[Duchy of Legnica|dukes of Legnica]] from 1248 until 1675.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Smahel |first=Frantisek |title=Festivities, Ceremonies, and Rituals in the Lands of the Bohemian Crown in the Late Middle Ages |date=2022 |publisher=BRILL |others=Martin Nodl, Václav Žůrek |isbn=978-90-04-51401-0 |location=Boston |pages=179, 199 |oclc=1336402730}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Thum |first=Gregor |title=Uprooted : how Breslau became Wrocław during the century of expulsions |date=2011 |isbn=978-1-4008-3996-4 |publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] |location=Princeton |pages=225 |oclc=744588454}}</ref> Legnica is a city over which the [[Piast dynasty]] reigned the longest, for about 700 years, from the time of ruler [[Mieszko I of Poland]] after the creation of the Polish state in the 10th century, until 1675 and the death of the last Piast duke [[George William, Duke of Liegnitz|George William]]. Legnica is one of the historical burial sites of [[List of Polish monarchs|Polish monarchs]] and [[List of Polish consorts|consorts]].

Legnica became renowned for the fierce [[Battle of Legnica|battle]] that took place at [[Legnickie Pole]] near the city on 9 April 1241 during the [[first Mongol invasion of Poland]], which ended in the defeat of the Polish-led Christian coalition by the [[Mongol Empire|Mongols]].

Legnica is an economic, cultural and academic centre in [[Lower Silesia]], together with [[Wrocław]]. The city is renowned for its [[Architecture of Legnica|varied architecture]], spanning from early [[medieval]] to modern period, and its preserved Old Town with the [[Silesian Piasts|Piast Castle]], one of the largest in Poland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zamkipolskie.com/legn/legn.html|title=*** LEGNICA *** ZAMEK W LEGNICY *** LEGNICA ***|access-date=26 March 2017}}</ref> According to the [[Foreign direct investment|Foreign direct investment ranking]] (FDI) from 2016, Legnica is one of the most progressive high-income cities in the [[Silesia]]n region.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[fDi Intelligence]]|last=Mullan|first=Cathy|title=Polish Cities of the Future 2015/16|url=https://www.um.olawa.pl/attachments/article/601/Polish%20Cities%20of%20the%20Future%202015_16.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004115311/https://um.olawa.pl/attachments/article/601/Polish%20Cities%20of%20the%20Future%202015_16.pdf|year=2015|pages=54–59|archive-date=2023-10-04|access-date=2024-07-08|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gazetawroclawska.pl/artykul/zdjecia/936632,dolny-slask-najbogatszy-w-polsce-a-wroclaw-zaraz-za-warszawa-ranking-najbogatszych,2124254,id,t,zid.html|title=Dolny Śląsk najbogatszy w Polsce, a Wrocław zaraz za Warszawą (RANKING NAJBOGATSZYCH) - Gazetawroclawska.pl|access-date=26 March 2017}}</ref>

==Population==
{{As of|2012|12|31}} Legnica has 102,708 inhabitants and is the third largest city in the voivodeship (after [[Wrocław]] and [[Wałbrzych]]) and 38th in Poland. It also constitutes the southernmost and the largest urban center of a copper deposit (''Legnicko-Głogowski Okręg Miedziowy'') with agglomeration of 448,617 inhabitants. Legnica is the largest city of the conurbation and is a member of the Association of Polish Cities.

==History==
===Pre-history===
Archaeological research conducted in eastern Legnica in the late 1970s, showed the existence of a [[Bronze Age Europe|bronze]] [[foundry]] and the graves of three metallurgists. The find indicates a time interval about year 1000 BC.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.tvn24.pl/wroclaw,44/legnica-brzytwy-sprzed-trzech-tysiecy-lat-w-grobach-kowali,701791.html |title = Brzytwy sprzed 3 tysięcy lat w grobach kowali| date=26 December 2016 }}</ref>

A settlement of the [[Lusatian culture]] people existed in the 8th century B.C. [[Pre-Celtic|After invasions of Celts beyond upper Danube]] basin, the area of Legnica and north foothills of [[Sudetes]] was infiltrated by Celtic settlers and traders.

[[Tacitus]] and [[Ptolemy]] recorded the ancient nation of [[Lugii]] (Lygii) in the area, and mentioned their town of Lugidunum, which has been attributed to both Legnica<ref>Pierre Deschamps. ''Dictionnaire de géographie ancienne et moderne''. Straubling & Müller, 1922.</ref> and [[Głogów]].<ref>James Cowles Prichard. ''Researches into the Physical History of Mankind''. Sherwood, Gilbert, and Piper. London, 1841.</ref>

===Early Poland===
{{See also|Battle of Legnica}}
Slavic [[Lechitic languages|Lechitic]] tribes moved into the area in the 8th century.

The city was first officially mentioned in [[chronicle]]s from 1004,<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.staypoland.com/cityHistory.aspx?TownId=71&lang=pl |title = Legnica}}</ref> although settlement dates to the 7th century. [[Dendrochronology|Dendrochronological]] research proves that during the reign of [[Mieszko I of Poland]], a new fortified settlement was built here in a style typical of the early [[Piast dynasty]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Korta|first=Wacław|year=2013|title=Historia Śląska do 1763 roku|language=pl|location=Warsaw|publisher=DiG|page=63}}</ref> 

At the beginning of the 12th century, Legnica was an important [[castellan]]y stronghold in Silesia, strategically located within rivers Czarna/[[Kaczawa]] marshland. After the death of [[Bolesław III Wrymouth]] in 1138, which began a period of feudal [[fragmentation of Poland (1138–1320)]], Legnica and all of Silesia first fell under the rule of [[Władysław II the Exile]]. Then, after Władysław's expulsion in 1146, it came under the control of [[Bolesław IV the Curly]], who already was [[Agnatic seniority|the Senior Duke of Poland]].

During this time, Legnica essentially became Bolesław the Curly's important residence,<ref name="bar">{{cite journal | title=Polscy święci | author=Bar, Joachim Roman | journal=Akademia Teologii Katolickiej | year=1986 | volume=9–10 | pages=36}}</ref> especially in his dyplomatic activity context. His frequent sometimes long-lasting presence here helped the settlement at the foot of the stronghold grow quickly. It began to take on the characteristics of a proto-city, developing as a natural support center for the ducal court. Here, merchants and artisans thrived, serving the needs of the duke, his retinue, and the local population. The court's demand for goods and services boosted the settlement's growth. Although it wasn't formally a city under [[municipal charter]] yet, it increasingly resembled an urban economic hub.
Evidence of its early urban development also includes the construction of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Its initial building phases, likely dating back to the 12th century, show the settlement's growing importance and its residents' spiritual needs.It is known that High Duke Bolesław IV the Curly funded here at the St. Benedict monastery chapel in year 1149.<ref name="arch">{{Cite journal |last=Łaborewicz |first=Edyta |date=1997 |title=ŹRÓDŁA DO DZIEJÓW KOŚCIOŁA W LEGNICY |url=https://www.archiwa.gov.pl/images/docs/archeion/Arch_XCVII.pdf |language=Polish | journal=Archeion | volume=97 |issn=0066-6041 | pages=149–153}}</ref> Also archaeological discoveries, such as a 13th-century mosaic found near this church in Legnica's Old Town, further illustrate the increasing cultural and urban significance of this place in the later Middle Ages, continuing trends that began in the 12th century. Based on fields as medieval economic history, historical demography, medieval urbanisation, historical analogy its logical to assume that around 1160 Legnica reached circa 2,500-2,700 inhabitants (including the main groups: craftsmen, fishers, servants, traders, clergy, retinue, knights, and the garrison).

[[File:Battle of Legnica1241-From Legend of Saint Hedwig.jpg|thumb|left|[[Battle of Legnica]], medieval illuminated manuscript, collection of the [[J. Paul Getty Museum]] in [[Los Angeles, California]]]]
Bolesław's period in Legnica, as the Poland senior's residence, lasted until around the mid-1160s, when Bolesław the Tall, son of Władysław the Exile, returned to Silesia. In 1163, Emperor [[Frederick Barbarossa]], through diplomatic channels (the treaty was signed in Nuremberg), forced Bolesław the Curly to return the sons of Władysław the Exile to their father's district. The reason Bolesław the Curly agreed to accept the exiles this time was that after Władysław's death, his sons, being younger than him and lacking support in Poland, did not pose a direct threat to his Senior position, and Bolesław's return to Silesia ultimately neutralized the threat of Imperial intervention. Bolesław the Curly adequately secured his position by retaining military garrisons in the main strongholds of the Silesian province (Legnica, as well as Głogów, Wrocław, Opole, and Racibórz).

Later Legnica became famous for the [[Battle of Legnica|battle]] that took place at [[Legnickie Pole]] near the city on 9 April 1241 during the [[First Mongol invasion of Poland]]. The Christian army of the Polish duke [[Henry II the Pious]] of Silesia, supported by feudal nobility, which included in addition to Poles, Bavarian miners and [[Military order (society)|military orders]] and Czech troops, was decisively defeated by the [[Mongols]]. The Mongols killed Henry and destroyed his forces, then turned south to rejoin the rest of the Mongol armies, which were massing at the Plain of [[Muhi|Mohi]] in [[Hungary]] via [[Moravia]] against a coalition of King Bela IV and his armies, and Bela's Kipchak allies.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=SINOR |first=DENIS |title=The Mongols in the West |date=1999 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41933117 |journal=Journal of Asian History |volume=33 |issue=1 |pages=1–44 |jstor=41933117 |issn=0021-910X}}</ref>

===Duchy of Legnica===
{{main|Duchy of Legnica}}
[[File:Legnica 1 lo 10100010.jpg|thumb|Former Dominican monastery and burial site of [[Bolesław II the Horned]]]]
Legnica was the seat of an [[Duchy of Legnica|eponymous principality]] that lasted from 1248 until 1675.

After the war, nonetheless, the city was developing rapidly. In 1258 at the church of St. Peter, a parish school was established, probably the first of its kind in Poland.<ref name=ZL>{{cite web|url=http://zabytki.legnica.eu/historia-legnicy/od-miasta-lokacyjnego-do-konca-czasow-piastowskich|title=Od miasta lokacyjnego do końca czasów piastowskich|website=Legnica.eu|access-date=8 November 2019|language=pl}}</ref> Around 1278 a Dominican monastery was founded by [[Bolesław II the Horned]],<ref name=ZL/> who was buried there as the only [[List of Polish monarchs|monarch of Poland]] to be buried in Legnica. Already by 1300 there was a city council in Legnica.<ref name=ZL/> Duke [[Bolesław III the Generous]] granted new trade [[privilege (law)|privileges]] in 1314 and 1318 and allowed the construction of a town hall, and in 1337 the first waterworks were built.<ref name=ZL/> In the years 1327–1380 a new [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] church of Saint Peter (today's Cathedral) was erected in place of the old one,<ref name=ZL/> and is one of Legnica's landmarks since. Also by the 14th century the city walls were erected.<ref name=ZL/> In 1345 the first coins were produced in the local mint.<ref name=ZL/> In 1374, the potters' guild was founded, as one of the oldest in Silesia.<ref name=ZL/> [[List of Polish consorts|Queen consort of Poland]] [[Hedwig of Sagan]] died in Legnica in 1390 and was buried in the local collegiate church, which has not survived to this day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://legnica.gosc.pl/doc/4457212.Krolowa-z-drugiej-ligi|title=Królowa z drugiej ligi|website=Legnica.Gosc.pl|date=18 January 2018|access-date=7 March 2020|language=pl}}</ref>

[[File:SM Legnica Zamek (5) ID 593146.jpg|thumb|left|The Piast Castle in Legnica]]

As the capital of the Duchy of Legnica at the beginning of the 14th century, Legnica was one of the most important cities of Central Europe, having a population of nearly 16,000 residents. The city began to expand quickly after the discovery of [[gold]] in the [[Kaczawa]] River between Legnica and [[Złotoryja|Złotoryja (Goldberg)]]. Unfortunately, such a growth rate can not be maintained long. Shortly after the city reached its maximum population increase, wooden buildings which had been erected during this period of rapid growth were devastated by a huge fire. The fire decreased the number of inhabitants in the city and halted any significant further development for many decades.

Legnica, along with other Silesian duchies, became a [[vassal]] of the [[Kingdom of Bohemia]] during the 14th century and was included within the multi-ethnic [[Holy Roman Empire]], however remained ruled by local dukes of the Polish [[Piast dynasty]]. In 1454, a local rebellion prevented Legnica from falling under direct rule of the Bohemian kings.<ref>T. Gumiński, E. Wiśniewski, ''Legnica. Przewodnik po mieście'', Legnica 2001, p. 15.</ref> In 1505, Duke [[Frederick II of Legnica]] met in Legnica with the duke of nearby [[Głogów]], [[Sigismund I the Old]], the future king of Poland.<ref name=ZL/>

[[File:Liegnitz-Mausoleum-1.jpg|thumb|Mausoleum of the last Piast dukes in the Saint John the Baptist church]]
[[File:Legnica, ul. Partyzantów 22-23.JPG|thumb|One of the preserved streets in Legnica's Old Town with the Castle in the background]]

The [[Protestant Reformation]] was introduced in the duchy as early as 1522 and the population became [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]]. In 1526, a Protestant university was established in Legnica, which, however, was closed in 1529.<ref name=ZL/> In 1528 the first printing house in Legnica was established.<ref name=ZL/> After the death of King [[Louis II of Hungary|Louis II of Hungary and Bohemia]] at [[Battle of Mohács|Mohács]] in 1526, Legnica became a fief of the [[Habsburg monarchy]] of Austria. The first map of Silesia was made by native son [[Martin Helwig]]. The city suffered during the [[Thirty Years' War]]. In 1633 a [[Plague (disease)|plague]] epidemic broke out, and in 1634 the Austrian army destroyed the suburbs.<ref name=ZL/>

In 1668 Duke of Legnica [[Christian, Duke of Brieg|Christian]] presented his candidacy to the Polish throne, however, in the [[1669 Polish–Lithuanian royal election]] he wasn't chosen as King. In 1676, Legnica passed to direct [[Habsburg]] rule after the death of the last Silesian Piast duke and the last Piast duke overall, [[George William, Duke of Liegnitz|George William]] (son of Duke Christian), despite the earlier inheritance pact by Brandenburg and Silesia, by which it was to go to Brandenburg. The last Piast duke was buried in the St. John's church in Legnica in 1676.<ref name=ZL/>

===18th and 19th centuries===
Silesian aristocracy was trained at the [[Liegnitz Ritter-Akademie]], established in the early 18th century. One of two main routes connecting [[Warsaw]] and [[Dresden]] ran through the city in the 18th century and Kings [[Augustus II the Strong]] and [[Augustus III of Poland]] traveled that route many times.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dresden-warszawa.eu/pl/prolog/informacja-historyczna/|title=Informacja historyczna|website=Dresden-Warszawa|access-date=7 February 2020|language=pl}}</ref> The postal milestone of King Augustus II comes from that period.<ref name=slup/>

In 1742 most of Silesia, including Liegnitz, became part of the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] after King [[Frederick II of Prussia|Frederick the Great's]] defeat of Austria in the [[War of the Austrian Succession]]. In 1760 during the [[Seven Years' War]], Liegnitz was the site of the [[Battle of Liegnitz (1760)|Battle of Liegnitz]] when Frederick's army defeated an Austrian army led by [[Ernst Gideon Freiherr von Laudon|Laudon]].

[[File:Legnica kamienice.jpg|thumb|[[Eclecticism in architecture|Eclectic]] tenements located at ''Witelona'' Street]]

During the [[Napoleonic Wars]] and [[History of Poland (1795–1918)|Polish national liberation fights]], in 1807 Polish [[uhlan]]s were stationed in the city,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polskaniezwykla.pl/web/place/28281,legnica-tablica-pamiatkowa-poswiecona-ulanom-legii-nadwislanskiej-.html|title=Legnica - Tablica pamiątkowa poświęcona ułanom Legii Nadwiślańskiej|website=PolskaNiezwykla.pl|access-date=7 March 2020|language=pl}}</ref> and in 1813, the Prussians, under Field Marshal [[Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher|Blücher]], defeated the [[First French Empire|French]] forces of [[Étienne-Jacques-Joseph-Alexandre MacDonald|MacDonald]] in the [[Battle of Katzbach]] (Kaczawa) nearby. After the administrative reorganization of the [[Prussia]]n state following the [[Congress of Vienna]], Liegnitz and the surrounding territory (''Landkreis Liegnitz'') were incorporated into the [[Regierungsbezirk]] (administrative district) of Liegnitz, within the [[Province of Silesia]] on 1 May 1816. Along with the rest of Prussia, the town became part of the [[German Empire]] in 1871 during the [[unification of Germany]]. On 1 January 1874 Liegnitz became the third city in Lower Silesia (after [[Wrocław|Breslau]] and [[Görlitz]]) to be raised to an [[Districts of Germany|urban district]], although the district administrator of the surrounding ''Landkreis'' of Liegnitz continued to have his seat in the city. Its military garrison was home to Königsgrenadier-Regiment Nr. 7 a military unit formed almost exclusively out of Polish soldiers.<ref>Sedan 1870. Ryszard Dzieszyńsk, page 52, Bellona 2009</ref>

===The 20th century===
[[File:Castle in Legnica6.JPG|thumb|left|Old view of the Piast Castle]]

The census of 1910 gave Liegnitz's population as 95.86% [[Germans|German]], 0.15% German and Polish, 1.27% [[Polish people|Polish]], 2.26% [[Wends|Wendish]], and 0.19% [[Czechs|Czech]]. On 1 April 1937 parts of the ''Landkreis'' of Liegnitz communities of Alt Beckern (Piekary), Groß Beckern (Piekary Wielkie), Hummel, Liegnitzer Vorwerke, Pfaffendorf (Piątnica) und Prinkendorf (Przybków) were incorporated into the city limits. After the [[Treaty of Versailles]] following [[World War I]], Liegnitz was part of the newly created [[Province of Lower Silesia]] from 1919 to 1938, then of the [[Province of Silesia]] from 1938 to 1941, and again of the province of Lower Silesia from 1941 to 1945. After the [[Nazi Party]] came to power in Germany, as early as 1933, a boycott of local [[Jewish]] premises was ordered, during the ''[[Kristallnacht]]'' in 1938 the synagogue was burned down,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zabytki.legnica.eu/historia-legnicy/okres-rzadow-hitlerowskich|title=Okres rządów hitlerowskich|website=Legnica.eu|access-date=8 November 2019|language=pl}}</ref> and in 1939 the local Polish population was terrorized and persecuted.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Cygański|first=Mirosław|year=1984|title=Hitlerowskie prześladowania przywódców i aktywu Związków Polaków w Niemczech w latach 1939 - 1945|journal=Przegląd Zachodni|language=pl|issue=4|pages=35–36}}</ref> A Nazi court prison was operated in the city with a [[Forced labour under German rule during World War II|forced labour]] subcamp.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bundesarchiv.de/zwangsarbeit/haftstaetten/index.php?action=2.2&tab=7&id=2525|title=Gerichtsgefängnis Lignitz|website=Bundesarchiv.de|access-date=29 November 2020|language=de}}</ref> During [[World War II]], several members of the [[Polish resistance movement in World War II|Polish resistance movement]] were imprisoned and sentenced to death there.<ref>{{cite book|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Encyklopedia konspiracji Wielkopolskiej 1939–1945|year=1998|location=Poznań|language=pl|publisher=Instytut Zachodni|pages=99, 114, 183, 304, 321, 434, 529|isbn=83-85003-97-5}}</ref> The Germans also established two forced labour camps in the city, as well as two prisoner of war labor subcamps of the [[German prisoner-of-war camps in World War II|POW camp]] located in [[Żagań]] (then ''Sagan''), and one labor subcamp of the [[Stalag VIII-A]] POW camp in [[Zgorzelec]] (then ''Görlitz'').<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Lusek|first1=Joanna|last2=Goetze|first2=Albrecht|year=2011|title=Stalag VIII A Görlitz. Historia – teraźniejszość – przyszłość|journal=Łambinowicki rocznik muzealny|location=Opole|language=pl|volume=34|page=44}}</ref>
[[File:Legnica, kaplica cmentarna - 9 grudnia 2008 r..jpg|thumb|Cemetery chapel]]

After the defeat of [[Nazi Germany]] during [[World War II]], Liegnitz and all of Silesia east of the [[Neisse]] was preliminarily transferred to Poland following the [[Potsdam Conference]] in 1945. The majority of the German population was either [[Expulsion of Germans after World War II|expelled]] in accordance with the [[Potsdam Agreement]] or fled from the city.

The city was repopulated with Poles, including expellees from pre-war [[Territories of Poland annexed by the Soviet Union|eastern Poland]] after its annexation by the [[Soviet Union]]. Also [[Greeks in Poland|Greeks]], refugees of the [[Greek Civil War]], settled in Legnica in 1950.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kubasiewicz|first=Izabela|editor-last1=Dworaczek|editor-first1=Kamil|editor-last2=Kamiński|editor-first2=Łukasz|year=2013|title=Letnia Szkoła Historii Najnowszej 2012. Referaty|language=pl|location=Warszawa|publisher=[[Institute of National Remembrance|IPN]]|page=117|chapter=Emigranci z Grecji w Polsce Ludowej. Wybrane aspekty z życia mniejszości}}</ref> As the medieval Polish name ''Lignica'' was considered [[Archaism|archaic]], the town was renamed Legnica. The transfer to Poland decided at Potsdam in 1945 was [[Treaty of Zgorzelec|officially recognized]] by [[East Germany]] in 1950, by [[West Germany]] under Chancellor [[Willy Brandt]] in the 1970 [[Treaty of Warsaw (1970)|Treaty of Warsaw]], and finally by the reunited Germany by the [[Treaty on the Final Settlement With Respect to Germany|Two Plus Four Agreement]] in 1990. By 1990 only a handful of [[Polonization|Polonized]] Germans, prewar citizens of Liegnitz, remained of the pre-1945 German population. In 2010 the city celebrated the 65th anniversary of the return of Legnica to Poland and its liberation from Nazi Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legniczanin.pl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3424:tekst-wali-powrot-do-macierzy-legnica&catid=78:wiadomoci&Itemid=72|title=65. rocznica wyzwolenia Legnicy - foto relacja|last=Wala|first=Grzegorz|date=9 February 2010|website=Legniczanin.pl|language=pl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320223453/http://legniczanin.pl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3424:tekst-wali-powrot-do-macierzy-legnica&catid=78:wiadomoci&Itemid=72|archive-date=2012-03-20|url-status=dead|access-date=26 March 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Castle in Legnica4.JPG|thumb|left|Post-war view of the Piast Castle (on the left) and the Głogów Gate (on the right)]]

The city was only partly damaged in World War II. In June 1945 Legnica was briefly the capital of the Lower Silesian (Wrocław) Voivodship, after the administration was moved there from [[Trzebnica]] and before it was finally moved to [[Wrocław]].<ref name=PRL>{{cite web |url=http://zabytki.legnica.eu/historia-legnicy/prl |title=[PRL]|publisher=Legnica.eu|access-date=8 November 2019|language=pl}}</ref> In 1947, the Municipal Library was opened, in 1948 a piano factory was founded, and in the years 1951-1959 Poland's first copper smelter was built in Legnica.<ref name=PRL/> After 1965 most parts of the preserved old town with its town houses were demolished, the historical layout was abolished, and the city was rebuilt in modern form.<ref>Dehio - Handbuch der Kunstdenkmäler in Polen: Schlesien'', Herder-Institut Marburg and Krajowy Osrodek Badan i Dokumentacji Zabytkow Warszawa, [[Deutscher Kunstverlag]] 2005, {{ISBN|3-422-03109-X}}, page 521</ref>

From 1945 to 1990, during the [[Cold War]], the headquarters of the [[Red Army|Soviet forces]] in Poland, the so-called [[Northern Group of Forces]], was located in the city. This fact had a strong influence on the life of the city. For much of the period, the city was divided into Polish and Soviet areas, with the latter closed to the public. These were first established in July 1945, when the Soviets forcibly ejected newly arrived Polish inhabitants from the parts of the city they wanted for their own use. The ejection was perceived by some as a particularly brutal action, and rumours circulated exaggerating its severity, though no evidence of anyone being killed in the course of it has come to light. In April 1946 city officials estimated that there were 16,700 Poles, 12,800 Germans, and 60,000 [[Soviets]] in Legnica.<ref name="IPN-Ś">{{cite web|url=http://www.ipn.gov.pl/biuletyn/4/biuletyn4_51.html|title=ARMIA CZERWONA NA DOLNYM ŚLĄSKU|publisher=[[Institute of National Remembrance]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050321233124/http://www.ipn.gov.pl/biuletyn/4/biuletyn4_51.html |archive-date=21 March 2005|language=pl}}</ref> In October 1956, the largest anti-Soviet demonstrations in Lower Silesia took place in Legnica.<ref name=PRL/> The last Soviet units left the city in 1993.

Between 1 June 1975 and {{awrap|31 December}} 1998 Legnica was the capital of the [[Legnica Voivodeship]]. In 1992 the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Legnica]] was established, [[Tadeusz Rybak]] became the first bishop of Legnica.<ref name=IIIRP>{{cite web|url=http://zabytki.legnica.eu/historia-legnicy/okres-iii-rzeczpospolitej|title=Okres III Rzeczpospolitej|website=Legnica.eu|access-date=8 November 2019|language=pl}}</ref> New local newspapers and a radio station were founded in the 1990s.<ref name=IIIRP/> In 1997, Legnica was visited by [[Pope John Paul II]].<ref name=IIIRP/> The city suffered in the [[1997 Central European flood]].<ref name=IIIRP/>

==Climate==
Legnica has an [[oceanic climate]]  ([[Köppen climate classification]]: ''Cfb'').<ref name="kottek2006">{{cite journal|last1=Kottek|first1=Markus|last2=Grieser|first2=Jürgen|last3=Beck|first3=Christoph|last4=Rudolf|first4=Bruno |last5=Rubel|first5=Franz|title=World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated|journal=Meteorologische Zeitschrift|date=2006|volume=15|issue=3|pages=259–263|doi=10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130|bibcode=2006MetZe..15..259K|url=https://opus.bibliothek.uni-augsburg.de/opus4/files/40083/metz_Vol_15_No_3_p259-263_World_Map_of_the_Koppen_Geiger_climate_classification_updated_55034.pdf}}</ref><ref name=Peel>{{cite journal |author1=Peel, M. C. |author2=Finlayson B. L. |author3=McMahon, T. A. |name-list-style=amp |year=2007 |title=Updated world map of the Köppen–Geiger climate classification |journal=Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. |volume=11 |issue=5 |pages=1633–1644 |doi=10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007 |bibcode=2007HESS...11.1633P |issn=1027-5606|url=https://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf |doi-access=free }}</ref>

{{Weather box    
| location = Legnica (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present)
| metric first = y
| single line = y
| Jan record high C = 18.4
| Feb record high C = 20.0
| Mar record high C = 24.8
| Apr record high C = 29.5
| May record high C = 31.4
| Jun record high C = 36.9
| Jul record high C = 37.3
| Aug record high C = 38.4
| Sep record high C = 35.1
| Oct record high C = 29.3
| Nov record high C = 20.6
| Dec record high C = 18.1
| year record high C = 38.4
| Jan high C = 3.1
| Feb high C = 4.6
| Mar high C = 8.9
| Apr high C = 15.1
| May high C = 19.6
| Jun high C = 23.0
| Jul high C = 25.6
| Aug high C = 25.5
| Sep high C = 20.0
| Oct high C = 14.2
| Nov high C = 8.1
| Dec high C = 4.2
| year high C = 14.3
| Jan mean C = 0.2
| Feb mean C = 1.2
| Mar mean C = 4.4
| Apr mean C = 9.5
| May mean C = 13.9
| Jun mean C = 17.3
| Jul mean C = 19.5
| Aug mean C = 19.2
| Sep mean C = 14.5
| Oct mean C = 9.7
| Nov mean C = 4.8
| Dec mean C = 1.4
| year mean C = 9.6
| Jan low C = -2.8
| Feb low C = -2.0
| Mar low C = 0.5
| Apr low C = 3.9
| May low C = 8.1
| Jun low C = 11.6
| Jul low C = 13.5
| Aug low C = 13.2
| Sep low C = 9.6
| Oct low C = 5.6
| Nov low C = 1.8
| Dec low C = -1.5
| year low C = 5.1
| Jan record low C = -27.8
| Feb record low C = -29.7
| Mar record low C = -21.4
| Apr record low C = -7.6
| May record low C = -2.1
| Jun record low C = 0.5
| Jul record low C = 3.4
| Aug record low C = 3.4
| Sep record low C = -3.2
| Oct record low C = -6.3
| Nov record low C = -16.8
| Dec record low C = -24.7
| year record low C = -29.7
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 25.0
| Feb precipitation mm = 22.3
| Mar precipitation mm = 33.3
| Apr precipitation mm = 25.9
| May precipitation mm = 57.8
| Jun precipitation mm = 65.9
| Jul precipitation mm = 89.6
| Aug precipitation mm = 64.4
| Sep precipitation mm = 48.4
| Oct precipitation mm = 35.7
| Nov precipitation mm = 28.9
| Dec precipitation mm = 24.5
| year precipitation mm = 521.6
| Jan snow depth cm = 4.4
| Feb snow depth cm = 4.3
| Mar snow depth cm = 3.2
| Apr snow depth cm = 0.4
| May snow depth cm = 0.1
| Jun snow depth cm = 0.0
| Jul snow depth cm = 0.0
| Aug snow depth cm = 0.0
| Sep snow depth cm = 0.0
| Oct snow depth cm = 0.4
| Nov snow depth cm = 1.8
| Dec snow depth cm = 3.1
| year snow depth cm = 
| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 15.47
| Feb precipitation days = 13.10
| Mar precipitation days = 14.03
| Apr precipitation days = 10.80
| May precipitation days = 13.00
| Jun precipitation days = 13.90
| Jul precipitation days = 13.50
| Aug precipitation days = 11.97
| Sep precipitation days = 11.37
| Oct precipitation days = 12.97
| Nov precipitation days = 13.70
| Dec precipitation days = 14.63
| year precipitation days = 158.43
| unit snow days = 0 cm
| Jan snow days = 11.6
| Feb snow days = 9.2
| Mar snow days = 4.3
| Apr snow days = 0.4
| May snow days = 0.1
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.2
| Nov snow days = 2.7
| Dec snow days = 6.6
| year snow days = 35.1
| Jan humidity = 83.6
| Feb humidity = 80.6
| Mar humidity = 76.9
| Apr humidity = 70.5
| May humidity = 72.3
| Jun humidity = 72.6
| Jul humidity = 70.4
| Aug humidity = 70.5
| Sep humidity = 77.2
| Oct humidity = 81.5
| Nov humidity = 86.1
| Dec humidity = 84.9
| year humidity = 77.3
| Jan sun = 58.2
| Feb sun = 81.7
| Mar sun = 126.0
| Apr sun = 196.7
| May sun = 238.3
| Jun sun = 237.6
| Jul sun = 249.2
| Aug sun = 242.6
| Sep sun = 162.5
| Oct sun = 119.1
| Nov sun = 66.3
| Dec sun = 53.3
| year sun = 1831.4
| source 1 = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management<ref name=IMGWtavg>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211203115527/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/TSR_AVE
| archive-date = 3 December 2021
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/TSR_AVE
| title = Średnia dobowa temperatura powietrza
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 5 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=IMGWtmin>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220115043924/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/TMIN_AVE
| archive-date = 15 January 2022
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/TMIN_AVE
| title = Średnia minimalna temperatura powietrza
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 5 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=IMGWtmax>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220115044916/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/TMAX_AVE
| archive-date = 15 January 2022
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/TMAX_AVE
| title = Średnia maksymalna temperatura powietrza
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 5 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=IMGWprecip>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220109045820/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/OPAD_SUMA
| archive-date = 9 January 2022
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/OPAD_SUMA
| title = Miesięczna suma opadu
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 5 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=IMGWprecipdays>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220115051112/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/OPAD_01
| archive-date = 15 January 2022
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/OPAD_01
| title = Liczba dni z opadem >= 0,1 mm
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 5 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=IMGWsnowdepth>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220115054936/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/SNIEG_SR_GRUB
| archive-date = 15 January 2022
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/SNIEG_SR_GRUB
| title = Średnia grubość pokrywy śnieżnej
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 5 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=IMGWsnowdays>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220121044246/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/SNIEG_0
| archive-date = 21 January 2022
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/SNIEG_0
| title = Liczba dni z pokrywą śnieżna > 0 cm
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 5 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=IMGWsun>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220115055331/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/USL
| archive-date = 15 January 2022
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/USL
| title = Średnia suma usłonecznienia (h)
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 5 February 2022}}</ref>
|source 2 = Meteomodel.pl (records, relative humidity 1991–2020)<ref name=recordhigh>
{{cite web
| url = https://meteomodel.pl/dane/srednie-miesieczne/?imgwid=351160415&par=tmax&max_empty=3
| title = Legnica Absolutna temperatura maksymalna
| publisher = Meteomodel.pl
| language = pl
| access-date = 5 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=recordlow>
{{cite web
| url = https://meteomodel.pl/dane/srednie-miesieczne/?imgwid=351160415&par=tmin&max_empty=3
| title = Legnica Absolutna temperatura minimalna
| publisher = Meteomodel.pl
| language = pl
| access-date = 5 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=relativehumidity>
{{cite web
| url = https://meteomodel.pl/dane/srednie-miesieczne/?imgwid=351160415&par=rh&max_empty=3
| title = Legnica Średnia wilgotność
| publisher = Meteomodel.pl
| language = pl
| access-date = 5 February 2022}}</ref>
}}

== Sights ==
[[File:Liegnitz-Ring-2.jpg|thumb|Market Square filled with [[Baroque architecture|baroque]] and [[neoclassical architecture]]]]
Legnica is a city with rich historical architecture, ranging from [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] and [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] through the [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]] and [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] to Historicist styles. Among the landmarks of Legnica are:
* the Piast Castle, former seat of the local dukes of the [[Piast dynasty]]
* Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
* Market Square (''Rynek'') with:
** [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] Old Town Hall (''Stary Ratusz'')
** [[Helena Modjeska|Helena Modrzejewska]] Theatre
** ''Kamienice Śledziowe'' ("[[Herring]] Houses")
** ''Dom Pod Przepiórczym Koszem'' ("Under the Quail Basket House")
* former Dominican and later Benedictine monastery, founded by [[Bolesław II the Horned]], who was buried there as the only [[List of Polish monarchs|monarch of Poland]] to be buried in Legnica; nowadays housing the ''I Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Tadeusza Kościuszki'' (high school)
* [[Church of St. John the Baptist in Legnica|Saint John the Baptist Church]] with a mausoleum of the last Piast dukes
* New Town Hall (''Nowy Ratusz''), seat of city authorities
* Saint Mary church
* {{ill|Copper Museum in Legnica|pl|Muzeum_Miedzi_w_Legnicy|lt=Copper Museum}} (''Muzeum Miedzi'')
* Medieval Chojnów and Głogów Gates, remnants of the medieval city walls
* Former [[Liegnitz Ritter-Akademie|Knight Academy]], now housing municipal offices and a branch of the Copper Museum
* Public Library and archive
* Park Miejski ("City Park"), the oldest and largest park of Legnica

There is also a monument of [[Pope John Paul II]] and a postal milestone of King [[Augustus II the Strong]] from 1725 in Legnica.<ref name=slup>{{cite web|url=http://www.polskaniezwykla.pl/web/place/28527,legnica-slup-milowy.html|title=Legnica - Słup milowy|website=PolskaNiezwykla.pl|access-date=7 March 2020|language=pl}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
LEGNICA ZAMEK dziedziniec.jpg|Piast Castle courtyard
Legnica - Kościół Marii Panny.jpg|Saint Mary church
Legnica - Katedra Świętych Apostołów Piotra i Pawła.jpg|Cathedral of Saint Apostles Peter and Paul
Dom mieszkalny „śledziówka”.jpg|''Kamienice Śledziowe'' at the Market Square
Legnica, Dom Pod Przepiórczym Koszem, Rynek 38.jpg|Under the Quail Basket House
Legnica - Rynek - Dawny Ratusz 01.jpg|[[Old City Hall in Legnica|Old City Hall]]
Legnica - Teatr im. Heleny Modrzejewskiej.jpg|Helena Modrzejewska Theatre
Legnica - Główna siedziba Muzuem Miedzi.jpg|Copper Museum
Legnica - Akademia Rycerska.jpg|[[Liegnitz Ritter-Akademie|Former knight academy]]
Legnica, kościół św. Jana Chrzciciela SDC11706.jpg|Church of St. John the Baptist
MOs810 WG 35 2015 Dolnoslaskie Zakamarki II (Mozaika, Rynek, Legnica, Kopernik).JPG|Nicolaus Copernicus mosaic on Market Square (1973)
</gallery>

==Economy==
In the 1950s and 1960s, the local [[copper]] and [[nickel]] industries became a major factor in the economic development of the area. Legnica houses industrial plants belonging to [[KGHM Polska Miedź]], one of the largest producers of copper and [[silver]] in the world. The company owns a large copper mill on the western outskirts of town. [[Legnica Special Economic Zone]] was established in 1997.<ref name="paih">{{cite web|url=https://www.paih.gov.pl/investment_support/sez/legnica |title=Legnica Special Economic Zone|publisher=[[Polish Investment and Trade Agency]]|access-date=3 October 2022}}</ref>

== Education ==
[[File:Legnica, ul. Sejmowa (kampus PWSZ).jpg|thumb|Witelon State University of Applied Sciences]]
Legnica is a regional academic center with seven universities enrolling approximately 16,000 students.
* State-run colleges and universities
** Witelon University of Applied Sciences (''Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa im. Witelona'') [http://www.pwsz.legnica.edu.pl/]
** [[Wrocław University of Technology]] [http://www.pwr.legnica.pl/]
** Foreign Language Teacher Training College in Legnica [https://web.archive.org/web/20120716203149/http://www.nkjo-legnica.oswiata.org.pl/]
* Other
** ''Wyższa Szkoła Zarządzania / The Polish Open University'' [http://www.wsz-pou.edu.pl/]
** [[Legnica University of Management]] [http://www.wsm.edu.pl/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609055823/http://www.wsm.edu.pl/ |date=9 June 2023 }}
** ''Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne / Seminary'' [http://www.wsd.legnica.opoka.org.pl/]
[[File:SM Legnica Piastowska22 (1) ID 593272.jpg|thumb|Legnica public library]]

==Environment==
Legnica is noted for its parks and gardens, and has seven hundred hectares of green space, mostly along the banks of the [[Kaczawa]]; the Tarninow district is particularly attractive.<ref>[http://www.legnica.um.gov.pl/en/site Legnica: Welcome to Legnica<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009125727/http://www.legnica.um.gov.pl/en/site |date=9 October 2007 }}</ref>

==Roads==
To the south of Legnica is the [[A4 autostrada (Poland)|A4 motorway]]. Legnica has also a district, which is a part of [[National road 3 (Poland)|national road no 3]]. The [[Expressway S3 (Poland)|express road S3]] building has been planned nearby.

==Public transport==
[[File:Dworzec PKP Legnica.jpg|thumb|[[Legnica railway station|Legnica main railway station]]]]
<!-- see talk page -->
In the city there are 20 regular bus lines, 1 [[beltway|belt-line]], 2 night lines and 3 suburban.

The town has an [[Legnica Airport|airport]] (airport code EPLE) with a 1600-metre runway, the remains of a former Soviet air base, but it is ({{as of|2007|lc=on}}) in a poor state and not used for commercial flights.

==Sports==
* [[Miedź Legnica]] – men's [[Football in Poland|football]] team ([[Polish Cup]] winner 1992; played in the [[Ekstraklasa]] in season 2018–19)
* [[White Eagle Municipal Stadium]]

==Films produced in Legnica==
In recent years Legnica has been frequently used as a film set for the following films as a result of its well preserved Old Town, proximity to Germany and low costs:
*''Przebacz'' (dir. M. Stacharski) – 2005
*''[[A Woman in Berlin (film)|A Woman in Berlin]]'' (dir. [[Max Färberböck|M. Färberböck]]) – 2007
*''Wilki'' (dir. F. Fromm) – 2007
*''[[Little Moscow (2008 film)|Little Moscow]]'' (dir. W. Krzystek) – 2008
*''{{Ill|The Author of Himself: The Life of Marcel Reich-Ranicki (film)|de|3=Mein Leben – Marcel Reich-Ranicki|lt=The Author of Himself: The Life of Marcel Reich-Ranicki}}'' (dir. [[Dror Zahavi|D. Zahavi]]) – 2008
*''Die Wölfe'' (dir. F. Fromm) – 2009
*''[[Jack Strong (film)|Jack Strong]]'' (dir. W. Pasikowski) – 2014

== Politics ==
===Municipal politics===
Legnica tends to be a [[Left-wing politics|left]]-of-[[political center|center]] town with a considerable influence of workers' [[trade union|unions]]. The Municipal Council of Legnica (''Rada miejska miasta Legnica'') is the [[legislative branch]] of the local government and is composed of 25 members elected in local elections every five years. The mayor or town president (''Prezydent miasta'') is the [[executive branch]] of the local government and is directly elected in the same municipal elections.

===Legnica – Jelenia Góra constituency===
Members of Parliament ([[Sejm of the Republic of Poland|Sejm]]) elected from Legnica-[[Jelenia Góra|Jelenia Gora]] constituency:
* Ryszard Bonda, [[Self-Defense of the Republic of Poland|Samoobrona]]
* Bronisława Kowalska, [[SLD-UP]]
* Adam Lipiński, [[Law and Justice (Poland)|PiS]]
* Tadeusz Maćkała, [[Civic Platform|PO]]
* Ryszard Maraszek, SLD-UP
* Olgierd Poniźnik, SLD-UP
* Władysław Rak, SLD-UP
* Tadeusz Samborski, [[Polish People's Party|PSL]]
* Jerzy Szmajdziński, SLD-UP
* Halina Szustak, [[League of Polish Families|LPR]]
* Michał Turkiewicz, SLD-UP
* Ryszard Zbrzyzny, SLD-UP

== Notable people ==
[[File:Legnica, tablica pamiątkowa poświęcona Witelonowi na ścianie budynku Muzeum Miedzi - 24.03.2012 r..JPG|thumb|160px|Memorial plaque to scientist and philosopher [[Witelo]] on the facade of the Copper Museum]]
[[File:Tomasz Kot.JPG|thumb|160px|[[Tomasz Kot]]]]
[[File:Aleksandra Klejnowska (POL).jpg|thumb|160px|[[Aleksandra Klejnowska]]]]
*[[Henry II the Pious]] (1196/1207–1241), High Duke of Poland
*[[Witelo]] (1230–died 1280–1314), philosopher and scientist
*[[Bolesław II the Bald]] (1220–1278), High Duke of Poland
*[[Hans Erasmus Aßmann|Hans Aßmann Freiherr von Abschatz]] (1646–1699), lyricist and translator
*[[Georg Rudolf Boehmer|Georg Rudolf Böhmer]] (1723–1803), physician and botanist
*[[Johann Wilhelm Ritter]] (1776–1810), scientist, philosopher, discoverer of ultraviolet radiation
*[[Heinrich Wilhelm Dove]] (1803–1879) physicist
*[[Benjamin Bilse]] (1816–1902), conductor and composer
*[[Karl von Vogelsang]] (1818–1890), Catholic journalist, politician and social reformer
*[[Leopold Kronecker]] (1823–1891), mathematician
*[[Hugo Rühle]] (1824–1888), physician
*[[Gustav Winkler]] (1867–1954), textile manufacturer
*[[Wilhelm Schubart]] (1873–1960) classical philologist, historian and papyrologist
*[[Paul Löbe]] (1875–1967), social democratic politician
*[[Erich von Manstein]] (1887–1973), field marshal
*[[Hans Hayn]] (1896–1934), SA general and politician
*[[Gert Jeschonnek]] (1912–1999), an officer of the Navy, Vice Admiral, Chief of Navy
*[[Hans-Heinrich Jescheck]] (1915–2009), jurist
*[[Günter Reich]] (1921–1989), opera singer (baritone)
*[[Claus-Wilhelm Canaris]] (1937–2021), jurist and legal philosopher
*[[Uta Zapf]] (born 1941), politician (SPD), member of the Bundestag from 1990 to 2013
*[[Anna Dymna]] (born 1951), TV, film and theatre actress
*[[Jacek Oleksyn]] (born 1953), biologist
*[[Włodzimierz Juszczak]] (born 1957), bishop of the Eparchy of Wroclaw–Gdansk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
*Marzena Kipiel-Sztuka (born 1965), actress
*[[Beata Tadla]] (born 1975), journalist and TV presenter
*[[Tomasz Kot]] (born 1977), actor
*[[Marek Pająk]] (born 1977), musician
*[[Popek]] (born 1978), rapper and MMA fighter
*[[Mariusz Lewandowski]] (born 1979), football player
*[[Aleksandra Klejnowska]] (born 1982), weightlifter
*[[Marcin Robak]] (born 1982), football player
*[[Jagoda Szmytka]] (born 1982), composer
*[[Karol Welter]] (born 1995) professional boxer
*[[Jakub Popiwczak]] (born 1996), volleyball player
*[[Joanna Jarmołowicz]] (born 1994), actress
*[[Łukasz Poręba]] (born 2000), football player

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Poland}}

Legnica is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Miasta Partnerskie|url=https://portal.legnica.eu/o-legnicy/miasta-partnerskie/|website=portal.legnica.eu|publisher=Legnica|language=pl|access-date=2020-02-28|archive-date=13 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713184656/https://portal.legnica.eu/o-legnicy/miasta-partnerskie/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
*{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Blansko]], Czech Republic
*{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Drohobych]], Ukraine
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Meissen]], Germany
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Roanne]], France
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Wuppertal]], Germany
{{div col end}}

==In fiction==
Legnica and its then ruler Count Conrad figure prominently in the [[alternate history]] series ''The Crosstime Engineer'', set in the period of 1230 to 1270, by [[Leo Frankowski]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2022|reason=This is true, but needs a reference.}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|auto=y}}
* [http://www.sztetl.org.pl/en/city/legnica/ Jewish Community in Legnica] on Virtual Shtetl0
* [https://polska-org.pl/504811,Legnica.html Legnica - Liegnitz, Lignica] na portalu polska-org.pl {{in lang|pl}}
* [http://www.legnica.net.pl Municipal website] {{in lang|pl}}
* [http://www.lca.pl Lca.pl] {{in lang|pl}}
* [http://www.legnica.um.gov.pl City hall] {{in lang|pl}}
* [http://www.legnica.pl Legnica] {{in lang|pl}}

{{Lower Silesian Voivodeship}}
{{Legnica County}}
{{Cities of Poland}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Legnica| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Lower Silesian Voivodeship]]
[[Category:Cities in Silesia]]
[[Category:City counties of Poland]]
[[Category:Populated riverside places in Poland]]