History

Tomasz Gorzkowski (poniedziałek, 14.05.2007 11:05)

In the past, Ryki was a settlement situated at a small river called Zalesianka. Surrounded by deep woods full of wild animals, the city took its name from sounds of animals. From its beginnings till 18th century, Ryki was a royal village. In 1782 Ryki became a city, mainly thanks to Stanisław Poniatowski, the Mazovian voivoship ruler, the father of the last Polish king.
When Poland lost its independence, Ryki and its surrounding area was incorporated by Austria. In 1810 the municipal rights were withdrawn and Ryki, now as a village again, was joined to Russia. In 1836 Ryki was sold to earl Jano Jezierski, who in 1836-43 established 31 ponds, 4 mills and 1 sawmill. The Ryki’s ponds were well managed thus profitable, therefore even in 1929 Ryki was named as “The city of carp”. Location at the road between Warsaw and Lublin and opening regular railway from Dęblin to Łuków in 1876r. gave the big impact to fast development of our city. That time many institution and public organizations (like the school) were established. From 1906 the owner of the village was earl Adam Feliks Roniker, and in 1913 it was bought by Marta Ludwika Marchwicka – last owner of Ryki. Ryki was important centre of Chasidism – in 1866 half of the city population was Jewish.
When World War II broke out, Ryki was occupied by Germans and incorporated into the General Governory. In the end of 1940 Germans established ghetto in Ryki, inhabited by 3500 Jews. In May 1942 all the Jews were sent to Nazi camps in Sobibor and Treblinka. The World War II is the time of increasing activity of the Polish resistance movement. In Ryki, in 1940, a former officer of Polish Army Marian Bernaciak, alias „Orlik” („Eagle”), established first local division of ZWZ, the patriotic military organization fighting against German troops. In 1944, 26th of July, Ryki was liberated by Russian Red Army.
In 1956-75 Ryki became the residence of poviat, belonging to Warsaw voivodship. According to the Council of Ministry decree dated 1957, 1st of January, Ryki regained municipality rights. In1975 all poviat structure was liquidated and city was included into Lublin voivodship. In 1990 the government launched the reform of local administration and Ryki became the residence of poviat including city of Dęblin, the city and 2 communities: Ryki and Kłoczew, Nowodwór, Stężycę i Ułęż. In 2003, as a result of long-standing efforts of local authorities and citizens, a local court, prosecutory and tax office were established in Ryki.