The settlement of
Richnow (modern German:
Reichenau, i.e. 'rich vale') in the historical region of
Upper Lusatia was first mentioned in a 1262 deed, then a possession of Cistercian
St. Marienthal Abbey near
Ostritz. It prospered from its location on an important
trade route connecting
Dresden, residence of the
Meissen margraves, with
Świdnica in
Silesia. Also in 1262, the castle in the present-day district of Trzciniec was first mentioned., and to the
Saxon Electorate by the 1635
Peace of Prague. From 1697 to 1763 it was also ruled by Kings of Poland in personal union. The castle, which served as a hideout for robbers, was destroyed in 1399 by the forces of the
Lusatian League. Many inhabitants died in the
War of the Polish Succession, fighting on the side of
Augustus III of Poland. It is therefore the only municipality in Poland which passed to Poland in 1945 and had not been part of Prussia (but of the
Free State of Saxony). From 1945 to 1947 the town was renamed
Rychwald followed by the current name. In 1973, town limits were expanded. On August 8, 2010, the
Miedzianka stream flooded the entire central part of the town, causing heavy damage and destroying several historic buildings. The cause of the flooding was extremely heavy rain and the resulting swelling of the river Miedzianka. Two people died. ==Economy==