# Zabrze

> city with powiat rights of Poland

**Wikidata**: [Q103892](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q103892)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zabrze)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zabrze

## Summary
Zabrze is a city with powiat rights located in the Silesian Voivodeship of southern Poland, covering an area of 80.4 square kilometers. Founded in 1201 and granted town privileges in 1922, it has a recorded population of 156,935 as of December 31, 2021. Historically known as "Hindenburg" or "Hindenburg O.S." between 1915 and 1946, the city is situated in Europe within the Central European Time zone and serves as the location for the Ernest Pohl Stadium.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: Founded in 1201.
- **Town Privileges**: Granted on October 1, 1922.
- **Area**: 80.4 square kilometers.
- **Location**: Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, Europe.
- **Coordinates**: 50.3°N, 18.783333333333°E.
- **Population**: 156,935 (Dec 31, 2021); 158,307 (Mar 31, 2021 census).
- **Timezone**: UTC+01:00 (CET) / UTC+02:00 (CEST).
- **Historical Names**: Hindenburg (1915–1918), Hindenburg O.S. (1918–1946), Zabrze (Hindenburg O.S.) (1920–1922).
- **Patron Saint**: Camillus de Lellis (since 1996).
- **Current Mayor**: Agnieszka Rupniewska (since May 7, 2024).
- **Postal Code**: 41-800.
- **Licence Plate**: SZ.
- **Website**: https://miastozabrze.pl/

## FAQs
**What was the historical name of Zabrze?**
The city was officially named Hindenburg (and later Hindenburg O.S.) starting February 21, 1915, named after Paul von Hindenburg. This name was used until May 19, 1946, when it reverted to Zabrze.

**What is the population of Zabrze?**
As of December 31, 2021, the population was 156,935. The 2021 census recorded 158,307 residents, comprising 76,362 males and 81,945 females. The population peaked at 205,789 in 1991.

**Where is Zabrze located?**
Zabrze is a city with powiat rights in the Silesian Voivodeship in southern Poland. It shares borders with Bytom, Gliwice, Ruda Śląska, Gmina Gierałtowice, Gmina Zbrosławice, Tarnowskie Góry county, and Gliwice County.

**Who is the head of the city government?**
Agnieszka Rupniewska has served as the head of government since May 7, 2024. She succeeded Małgorzata Mańka-Szulik, who held the office from 2006 to 2024.

**What administrative and historical divisions does Zabrze contain?**
The city contains administrative districts such as Biskupice, Grzybowice, Guido, Helenka, Kończyce, Makoszowy, Mikulczyce, Pawłów, Poremba, Rokitnica, and Osiedle Młodego Górnika.

## Why It Matters
Zabrze is a significant urban center in the Silesian Voivodeship, reflecting the complex industrial and political history of Upper Silesia. Its transition from the German name "Hindenburg" back to "Zabrze" in 1946 marks a key shift in the region's post-war identity. With a history dating back to 1201, the city has evolved from a settlement mentioned in medieval records to a large city (big city class) that was formally incorporated and granted town privileges in 1922. Its demographic trajectory, peaking in the late 20th century before a gradual decline, mirrors broader economic shifts in the region.

## Notable For
- Being one of the cities with powiat rights in Poland.
- Its historical association with Paul von Hindenburg, which defined the city's identity from 1915 to 1946.
- The Ernest Pohl Stadium, which the city owns.
- Receiving the Work Flag Order, 1st class.
- A population history that shows rapid growth in the early 20th century, from 54,228 in 1905 to over 200,000 by 1991.
- Being twinned with over nine international cities, including Essen, Lund, and Rivne.

## Body

### History and Etymology
Zabrze was founded in 1201, with early records establishing its inception. A significant milestone occurred on April 1, 1905, when it replaced several entities, including Q433024, Q1746212, and Dorota. The city underwent several name changes in the early 20th century:
- **1915-02-21**: Named "Hindenburg" after Paul von Hindenburg.
- **1918**: Renamed "Hindenburg O.S."
- **1920-04-12**: Temporarily called "Zabrze (Hindenburg O.S.)".
- **1922-07-10**: Reverted to "Hindenburg O.S."
- **1946-05-19**: Officially named "Zabrze," ending the use of the Hindenburg name.

Town privileges were granted on October 1, 1922. The city has been part of Poland since March 19, 1945, having previously belonged to Germany until 1945.

### Geography and Administration
Located in the Silesian Voivodeship, Zabrze covers 80.4 square kilometers. Its geographical coordinates are 50.3°N, 18.783333333333°E. The city shares borders with Bytom, Gliwice, Ruda Śląska, Tarnowskie Góry county, Gliwice County, Gmina Gierałtowice, and Gmina Zbrosławice. It operates on Central European Time (UTC+1) and Central European Summer Time (UTC+2).

The city is a municipality with the TERC code 2478011 and SIMC place ID 0945380. Its postal code is 41-800, and its licence plate code is SZ.

### Governance and Civic Symbols
Zabrze is led by a head of government. Recent and current leaders include:
- **Roman Urbańczyk** (1991–2002)
- **Jerzy Gołubowicz** (2002–2006)
- **Małgorzata Mańka-Szulik** (2006–2024)
- **Agnieszka Rupniewska** (2024–2025)

The city's symbols include a coat of arms (POL_Zabrze_COA.svg) and a flag (POL_Zabrze_flag.svg). Camillus de Lellis has been the patron saint since 1996.

### Demographics
Population data provides a detailed view of Zabrze's growth and decline:
- **1905**: 54,228 / 55,634
- **1910**: 63,373
- **1925**: 73,163
- **1938**: 131,225
- **1976**: 204,163
- **1991**: 205,789 (Peak)
- **2021**: 156,935 (Dec 31) / 158,307 (Mar 31 Census)

The 2021 census recorded 76,362 males and 81,945 females.

### Districts and Infrastructure
The city comprises several districts and settlements, many of which were incorporated in the 20th century. These include Biskupice (incorporated 1927), Grzybowice (1951), Guido, Helenka (1954), Kończyce (1951), Makoszowy (1951), Mikulczyce (1951), Pawłów (1951), Poremba (1927), and Rokitnica (1951). It also contains residential areas like Osiedle Młodego Górnika.

### International Relations
Zabrze maintains sister-city relationships with numerous municipalities, reflecting its international integration:
- **Sangerhausen** (Germany, since 1983)
- **Seclin** (France, since 1987)
- **Lund Municipality** (Sweden, since 1990)
- **Trnava** (Slovakia, since 1995)
- **Rivne** (Ukraine, since 2001)
- **Zahlé** (Lebanon, since 2007)
- **Rotherham** (UK, since 2007)
- **Essen** (Germany, since 2015)
- **Rovereto** (Italy)
- **Sønderborg Municipality** (Denmark)

### Culture and External Identifiers
Zabrze is referenced in multiple encyclopedias, including the Jewish Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron, the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, and the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. It has various digital identifiers, such as a GeoNames ID (3080985), a MusicBrainz Area ID (cc3cbfb8-7b9f-4d96-92f4-bbe8e3ca7c1f), and a UN/LOCODE (PLZAB). The city maintains an official website at https://miastozabrze.pl/ and has a dedicated Quora topic and Wikipedia presence in over 70 languages.

## References

1. [National Electoral Commission (Poland)](https://wybory.gov.pl/samorzad2024/pl/wbp/okregi/247800)
2. [Source](https://dzienniki.slask.eu/WDU_S/2025/3265/akt.pdf)
3. archINFORM
4. [Source](https://miastozabrze.pl/miasto/miasto/miasto-zabrze/hindenburg/)
5. [Source](https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WMP19460440085/O/M19460085.pdf)
6. [Source](https://www.um.zabrze.pl/mieszkancy/samorzad/miasta-partnerskie/sangerhausen)
7. [Source](https://www.um.zabrze.pl/mieszkancy/samorzad/miasta-partnerskie/lund)
8. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20010422120412/http://www.um.zabrze.pl/umiasta.pl.html)
9. [Source](https://www.um.zabrze.pl/mieszkancy/samorzad/miasta-partnerskie/seclin)
10. [Source](https://www.um.zabrze.pl/mieszkancy/samorzad/miasta-partnerskie/trnawa)
11. [Source](https://www.um.zabrze.pl/mieszkancy/samorzad/miasta-partnerskie/rowne)
12. [Source](http://www.city-adm.rv.ua/RivnePortal/ukr/city_partners/zabge_dov.aspx)
13. [Source](https://www.um.zabrze.pl/mieszkancy/samorzad/miasta-partnerskie/zahle)
14. [Source](https://www.um.zabrze.pl/mieszkancy/samorzad/miasta-partnerskie/rotherham)
15. [Source](https://www.um.zabrze.pl/mieszkancy/samorzad/miasta-partnerskie/essen)
16. [Source](https://www.um.zabrze.pl/mieszkancy/samorzad/miasta-partnerskie/rovereto)
17. [Source](https://www.comune.rovereto.tn.it/Entra-in-Comune/Organi-e-uffici/Citta-gemellate)
18. Virtual International Authority File
19. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/poland/timezones.php)
20. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
21. Czech National Authority Database
22. MusicBrainz
23. [Source](http://stat.gov.pl/download/cps/rde/xbcr/gus/l_powierzchnia_i_ludnosc_przekroj_terytorialny_2013.pdf)
24. [Source](http://demografia.stat.gov.pl/bazademografia/Tables.aspx)
25. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/012414778011-0945380?var-id=1639616&format=jsonapi)
26. [Source](https://www.gemeindeverzeichnis.de/gem1900/gem1900.htm?schlesien/zabrze.htm)
27. [Source](http://katowice.stat.gov.pl/opracowania-biezace/komunikaty-i-biuletyny/inne-opracowania/biuletyn-statystyczny-wojewodztwa-slaskiego-i-kwartal-2015,3,18.html)
28. [Source](https://stat.gov.pl/download/gfx/portalinformacyjny/pl/defaultaktualnosci/5515/3/16/1/polski_rocznik_demograficzny_2022.pdf)
29. [Source](https://krajoznawca.org/kg17/257-rozwoj-przestrzenny-zabrza)
30. [Source](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Zabrze)
31. [Source](https://ru.wikisource.org/wiki/%D0%91%D0%A1%D0%AD1/%D0%93%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B1%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B3,_%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4)
32. Statistics Poland
33. [Source](https://miastozabrze.pl/miasto/miasto-zabrze/hindenburg/)
34. [Source](https://sbc.org.pl/Content/386719/knosala-0000-00-0001.pdf)
35. [Source](https://aplus.historia-zabrza.pl/zabrze_historia_zabrza2.html)
36. [Source](https://sbc.org.pl/publication/425119)
37. [Source](https://sbc.org.pl/publication/632014)
38. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/012414778011-0945380?var-id=1639618&format=jsonapi)
39. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/012414778011-0945380?var-id=1639617&format=jsonapi)
40. TERYT
41. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/pl.htm)
42. System for IDs and names of places
43. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
44. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Zabrze;3999678.html)
45. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
46. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/66caa4bc-52d2-4750-a028-2674b6df02f2)
47. museum-digital