Racibórz (Ratiboř in Czech) is a town in south Poland with 65,100 inhabitants (1995).

Situated in the Silesian Voivodship (since 1999), previously in Katowice Voivodship (1975-1998).

The roots of a city go back to the deep history. Name of Raciborz is of Slavic (Polish) origin and comes from the name of Duke Racibor, the city founder. Raciborz was one of 5 strongholds of Slavic (proto Polish) tribe called Golezyce (Golenshitse). Raciborz, as a stronghold, was mentioned in a work of "Bavarian Geographer" in 845 AC. It was a first historical capitol of Upper Silesia. The Duchy of Raciborz was established by Duke Mieszko Platonogi in 1172 AC. The city was granted municipal privileges in 1217 AC. From 1299 AC Raciborz was ruled by its own city council. The last Polish Duke of Piast dynasty died in 1336 AC and from that time till 1521 AC the Duchy and the city was ruled by Czech dynasty of Dukes. Shortly Raciborz was ruled by Polish Duke of Opole. The first coin with Polish description "MILOST" was issued in Raciborz, in 1211 AC as well the first Polish, national anthem "Gaude Mater Polonia" which was written ca. 1260-70 AC in Latin language by Dominican frater from the Dominican monastery in Raciborz.

External Links

• Official website (in Polish) (http://www.raciborz.pl/)