Włocławek (pronounce: Wloclawek.ogg, German: Leslau) is a town in central Poland on the Vistula river, with population of approximately 123 000. It is situated in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodship and until 1999 it was the capital of the Włocławek Voivodship.

History

Diocese of Włocławek

The diocese Vladislaviensis , Polish: Włoclawek in Kuyavia, near Płock, was first mentioned in a papal bull issued by Pope Eugene III in 1148. The first bishop of Włocławek was Warner, whose name appears in the 1148 bull, then Onoldius from Italy. At some time the diocese was recorded as Vladislaviensis et Pomeraniae.

The name Vladislaviensis and the timeframe point to Władysław II the Exile or his grandfather Władysław I Herman as well as Vladislav I, King of Bohemia as possible namegivers. Various unsubstantiated claims as to various different years of establishment have been made by several Polish historians, starting in the 16th century.

For reference see Catholic Encyclopedia outside link: [[1]]

Sports

• Anwil Włocławek - men basketball team, former Polish Champion, 4th in Era Basket Liga in 2003/2004 season.
• Kujawiak Hydrobudowa Włocławek - men football team, winner of regional 3rg league group 2004, promoted to play in 2nd league in season 2004/2005

Major corporations

• Anwil SA
• Fabryka Lin i Drutu Drumet SA

Education

• Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczno-Ekonomiczna * Wyższa Szkoła Informatyki in Łódź, branch in Włocławek

External link:

• The official web page of Wloclawek (Polish)
• Wloclawski Portal Internetowy - q4 - the best source of information (Polish)