Hosta

Wirek (German: Antonienhütte) is a district in the centre of Ruda Śląska, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland. In 2006 it had an area of 5.9 km² and was inhabited by 20,595 people.^[1] On January 12, 2006 a part of it was split off to form a new district, Czarny Las.

History

Originally, the area belonged to Kochłowice. First a settlement called Nowa Wieś (lit. New Village) was established. Wirek would later be developed around Antonienhütte ironworks, opened in 1805, and became a separate municipality in 1828. In the second half of the nineteenth century, the settlement grew owing to industrial development. A school was opened in 1856; a Roman Catholic church in 1874; and a year later, a rail connection with Chebzie was constructed. The municipality lost its independence in 1870.

In 1921, Wirek became part of Polish Autonomous Silesian Voivodeship. In 1924 Nowa Wieś again absorbed Wirek. A town hall was built in years 1929–1930. During World War II, it was occupied by Germany. In 1948 Nowa Wieś was renamed to Wirek.^[2]

Wirek was merged into Nowy Bytom in 1951,^[3] and as part of Nowy Bytom was amalgamated with Ruda to form Ruda Śląska on December 31, 1958.^[4]