Strumień (, , ) is a town and the seat of Gmina Strumień, in Cieszyn County, in the Silesian Voivodeship (province) of southern Poland, on the Vistula River.

It is located in the north-eastern part of the historical region of Cieszyn Silesia and is the smallest town in the county.

History

thumb|left|Fragment of a map from 1592 with Strumen marked

The name is of topographic origin and is derived from a local stream (now non-existent) first mentioned in 1293, known as Czarny Strumień (lit. black stream, therefore Schwarzwasser in German). Later the village was also mentioned as Swarczenwasser (1409), Strumienie (1450), na Strumyeny (1470), miesto Strumien (1491). The town and especially its southern surroundings were also traditionally the northernmost area inhabited by Cieszyn Vlachs, speaking Cieszyn Silesian dialect. The growth of German language, then prestigious language of the state, can be partially attributed to various reasons, including cultural cringe of indigenous Slavic denizens.

After World War I, fall of Austria-Hungary, Polish–Czechoslovak War and the division of Cieszyn Silesia in 1920, it became again part of Poland. According to the 1921 census, Strumień had a population of 1,566, 94.0% Polish, 3.77% German, 1.98% Jewish and 0.19% Czech.

Following the invasion of Poland by the German army it was annexed by Nazi Germany at the beginning of World War II (as Schwarzwasser again). At least three local Polish policemen were murdered by the Russians in the Katyn massacre in 1940. After the war it was restored to Poland.

In 1975–1998 it was a part of the Bielsko-Biała Voivodeship and since 1999 it belongs to Silesian Voivodeship.

Twin towns – sister cities

See twin towns of Gmina Strumień.

Notes

References

  • Gmina Strumień Official website
  • Jewish Community in Strumień on Virtual Shtetl