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Nysa is a town located in the Nysa district, serving as the seat of the Nysa urban-rural municipality. It lies in historical Lower Silesia, on the border of the Sudeten Foothills and the Silesian Lowland, in the south-western part of the Nysa Kłodzka Valley. Artificial water reservoirs are located near Nysa: Lake Nysa and Lake Otmuchów. The name of the town derives from the Nysa Kłodzka river flowing through the town.
Nysa is one of the oldest Silesian towns. Probably as early as the 10th century, a settlement existed in its place, which was supposed to have been founded by Duke Bolesław III Wrymouth. The town was first mentioned in 1223, along with its location on the basis of Flemish law. At the beginning of the 14th century, Nysa became the capital of the Nysa Duchy and an important educational center, and in the following century also an important trade center. In the 16th century, the bishops of Wrocław moved to Nysa as their main residence, which influenced the significant economic development of the town – at that time, Nysa was referred to as the Rome of Silesia. From 1741, Nysa was under the rule of Prussia, becoming a fortress town. In 1945, Nysa was occupied by the Red Army, which burned the historic downtown. After the German troops were driven out, the town was taken over by the Polish administration. Despite many war damages, many historic facilities have survived in Nysa to this day, including the Church of St. James and St. Agnes, the 15th-century bell tower, defensive walls, and the former palace of the Bishops of Wrocław.
