Schweidnitz

Schweidnitz, a town of Prussian Silesia, 36 miles by rail SW. of Breslau. Woollen and linen goods, agricultural implements, gloves, needles, pottery, and numerous other articles are manufactured. The beer has been celebrated since the 16th century. Considerable quantities of flax and beet-root are grown in the neighbourhood. Between 1641 and 1807 Schweidnitz was besieged and taken six times, the last time by the French, after which the defences were in great part destroyed. Pop. (1890) 24,780.