KOLOBRZEG

German Kolberg, town, Koszalin wojewdztwo (province), northwestern Poland. It lies at the mouth of the Parseta River on the Baltic Sea. It is a large port and health spa, with its economy relying on fishing and tourism. Founded as a Slavic stronghold in the 8th century, the town was incorporated as Polish territory in the 10th century. It originally lay a short distance south of the present site on the Parseta. The first church in western Pomorze (Pomerania) was built there. Kolobrzeg became an important commercial centre during the 13th century. Seized by the electorate of Brandenburg in 1648, it was restored to Poland after World War II. Most of the town was destroyed during the war but has been completely reconstructed. Pop. (1990 est.) 44,600.