The Beginning of the Settlement in Hrubieszow Until the 19th Century

Hrubieszow is first mentioned in the mid-14th century as a village in the Chełm region. The town’s name derives from the Polish word “rubieża,” the othmeaning “frontier,” as it was located near the Russian border. It is likely that the town once served as an outpost for defense, as its core was essentially an island. The Huczwa River, flowing from the west, split into two branches before reaching the town, encircling it, and then rejoining on er side.

 

The central part of Hrubieszów was elevated, particularly in the north, while the plains on the other side of the river were about 60 meters lower. In spring, when snow and ice melted, these plains would flood completely. Later in the year, they served as pastures for horses, cattle, and flocks of white geese.

 

In 1400, King Władysław Jagiełło granted Hrubieszow municipal rights and built a palace there. In 1450, King Kazimierz IV Jagiellończyk reaffirmed its town privileges and issued a decree requiring all merchants and wagoners transporting goods from Ruthenia to “Greater Poland” (to Radom, Poznań, and other cities) and Wrocław to pass through Hrubieszow and pay customs duties to the royal treasury. After the great fire of Chełm in 1473, the bishop of Chełm moved his seat to Hrubieszow, residing there for 13 years.

 

In the latter half of the 16th century, the town enjoyed a period of peace. A fortress was built, new houses were added, and Hrubieszów developed economically.

 

In 1576, King Stefan Batory granted Hrubieszów to the nobleman Andrzej Tęczyński, who greatly contributed to its stabilization and growth, transforming it into a regional craft center. During his time, bakers, weavers, tailors, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, locksmiths, shoemakers, furriers, goldsmiths, and butchers settled there.