VIEW FROM LUBLIN CASTLE
For years, the history of the borderlands between Western and Eastern Europe has set Lublin up for an important cultural role. Centuries ago, trade and diplomatic activity was focused here and today Lublin is a meeting place of artists, scientists, students and business people.When Lublin was granted civic rights in 1317 it strengthened its position among the important cities of Poland and Europe. The celebrated Lublin Fairs attracted merchants from the Caucasus and Black Sea regions, Lithuania and the interior of Russia. In 1569 the Lublin Union treaty was signed, binding Poland and Lithuania into a one state which existed till the end of the 18th century. During this time King Stefan Batory established the Crown Tribunal in Lublin which was the gentry's highest court.In 1918, after nearly 130 years of occupation, the Temporary Government of the Republic of Poland was formed in Lublin giving birth to the modern state and the Lublin Catholic University (Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski – KUL) was established. One of the most significant social movements of the 20th century, "Solidarity" (Solidarnosc) began in Lublin and the nearby Swidnik where, a month before the strikes in Gdansk and Szczecin, Lublin's workers demonstrated against the Communist Party.