Elblag is a city in
Poland, capital of a province in north-central Poland. The German name of the city is Elbing. Elbing was founded in 1237 by north German tradesmen near the Old Prussian emporium of
Truso (alternatively,
Druso). Truso was the first city in
Prussia and was on the direct route of the
Gotland traders and of the later
Vikings. Truso and Elblag are situated at the ancient
Amber Road, in Pomesania. In 1241 it received [Luebeck Law]
? city rights, unlike many other cities in Eastern Europe, which received [Magdeburg Law]
? city rights.
Elbing, Danzig, and Thorn were leading cities in the Hanseatic League. They were also the leading cities in forming the Prussian Confederation (Preussischer Bund).
Starting in 1945 with the Potsdam Conference, Elbing was put under Soviet and Polish occupation administration; many of the city's German-speaking inhabitants were expelled and replaced by Poles. The city was renamed Elblag at this time.
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