Chapters: Pszczyna, Gmina Paw owice, Gmina Pszczyna, Gmina Mied na, Gmina Suszec, Gmina Gocza kowice-Zdroj, Gmina Kobior. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 26. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Pszczyna - The origins of name Pszczyna are explained in different ways by different historians. Ezechiel Zivier (18681925) hypothesized that the land was first owned by Pleszko (alternatively Leszko, or possibly Leszek, Duke of Raciborz). Polish scholar Aleksander Bruckner in turn, explained the name based on its old spelling Plszczyna, from the ancient Polish word po or pleso meaning a lake or a place by the lake thus suggesting that the name Plszczyna as well as its German equivalent Pless had similar background. The version by Bruckner, suggesting a lakeside rich with marshlands, based on a Proto-Slavic word plszczyna, is generally accepted in literature. Yet another version belongs to Prof. Jan Miodek from Wrocaw University, who derived the name from a nearby river Blszczyna. The history of Pszczyna is intertwined with the history of the Polish Piast dynasty and their local residence, the 12th century castle palace now a site of the Muzeum Zamkowe (Castle Museum) at the main square. Early in the 12th century, Pszczyna laid within the territory of the Polish Piast dynasty. The city belonged to Lesser Poland (Maopolska) until 1177, when it became part of the Duchy of Raciborz. From this time on, it was also a part of the Krakow bishopric. In 1336, the main line of the dukes of Raciborz died out and the Duchy was ruled by the Czech Pemyslid dynasty. From 1412 until 1452, Countess Helena, sister of Jogaila, ruled the Duchy. After her stepdaughter governed from 1452 until 1462, the Podebradies took over. The Thurzo family acquired the Duchy and sold it, with the approval of Ferdinand I, Holy R...More: http: //booksllc.net/?id=38708