Niederschlesien

Niederschlesien, or Lower Silesia, is a historical region located in present-day southwestern Poland. Historically, it was part of the Duchy of Silesia, which was itself a part of the Kingdom of Bohemia and later the Habsburg Monarchy. Following the Silesian Wars in the 18th century, much of Niederschlesien came under Prussian rule, becoming a province of Prussia. During this period, its industrial development, particularly in coal mining and manufacturing, significantly increased.

After World War I, the region remained part of Germany. However, following World War II, the Potsdam Agreement transferred most of Niederschlesien to Poland. The German population was largely expelled, and the area was resettled by Poles, many of whom were themselves displaced from territories ceded to the Soviet Union. Today, the Polish voivodeship of Dolnośląskie covers the majority of the historical Niederschlesien territory. The region is known for its diverse landscape, including mountains, plains, and historical cities like Wrocław (formerly Breslau), its capital. Its rich history is reflected in its architecture and cultural heritage, a blend of its German and Polish past.