History
Until the 13th century, the spit had navigable straits in the middle, which allowed the city of Elbląg part of the monastic State of the Teutonic Knights, direct access to the Baltic Sea. The natural closing of the straits in the late 13th century reduced Elbing's status as an important trading seaport. This and the Teutonic takeover of Danzig (Gdańsk) and Polish Pomerania in 1308, led to the increased importance of Gdańsk.
Read more about this topic: Vistula Spit
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“Bias, point of view, fury—are they ... so dangerous and must they be ironed out of history, the hills flattened and the contours leveled? The professors talk ... about passion and point of view in history as a Calvinist talks about sin in the bedroom.”
—Catherine Drinker Bowen (1897–1973)
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the truth of the new is never on the news
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the lesbian archaeologist watches herself
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asking the clay all questions but her own.”
—Adrienne Rich (b. 1929)