PRZEMYSL

city, capital of Przemysl wojewdztwo (province), southeastern Poland, near the border of Ukraine on the San River. Located on Mount Zamkowa at the juncture of the Carpathian Mountains and the Sandomierz Basin, the modern city serves as a marketing centre for the district, relying upon metal, timber, and textile industries. The town began anciently as a fortress on the old route leading south through the Carpathians. It was the object of dispute in the 10th century between Poland and Ruthenia. Occupied at the end of the 11th century by Ruthenian princes, it came into Polish hands in 1340. It received town status and trading privileges in 1389 and developed into a cultural and trade centre for the area. During the 15th and 16th centuries, it flourished as a defense point against Tatar and Hungarian attacks. It passed to Austria in 1772, was besieged by the Russians in World War I, and was returned to Poland in 1918. During the early years of World War II (193940), the city was split by the German-Soviet frontier. Extensive damage resulted, but Przemy sl still retains many fine historic buildings, including the regional and diocesan museums. Pop. (1990 est.) 68,100.