BIALA PODLASKA

city, capital of Biala Podlaska wojewdztwo (province), eastern Poland. It lies on the Krzna River and near the Belarusian border on the railroad linking Warsaw and Moscow. It was an important village about the 15th century, when it belonged to the Radziwill princes. Only a gateway, two towers, and a chapel of the Radziwill castle survive. The city is noted for its pottery and carpet manufacturing. An important aircraft industry was destroyed with most of the town in World War II. Historic buildings remaining include the Church of St. Anne, built in 1524, and the Church of the Basilians, built between 1747 and 1759. Pop. (1993 est.) 55,000.