executions of Poles in the local prison in November and December 1939. During the German occupation, approximately 50% of the city's inhabitants, mostly Jews, were expelled or deported, some to Nazi concentration camps. In 1941-1945 it was renamed in German as Ostenburg, to erase traces of Polish origin. On December 17, 1942, the Gestapo carried out a public execution of four members of the Home Army, the leading Polish resistance organization. In the battle for Pułtusk during later World War II, over 16,000 soldiers of the Soviet Red Army were killed. As a result of the battle, approximately 85% of the city was destroyed. On September 7, 1939, the city became under the control of Nazi Germany. On September 27, the Germans deported most of the Jews to concentration camps. Some eventually made their way to the Soviet border but many died in the camps. In the 21st century, descendants of Pułtusk Jewry are found mainly in Israel, the United States, Canada, and Argentina. Modern times In 1950, a rail line connecting Pułtusk with Nasielsk Railway Station was built. In 1975, the Science Center of the Mazovian Center for Scientific Research was opened in the town. In 1993, Pułtusk hosted the first ever biennial meeting of the World International Advisory Committee of UNESCO's Memory of the World Programme to discuss and inscribe items onto the Register. Points of interest Currently Pułtusk is one of the most picturesque towns of Masovia. Located on the Narew river, it is one of the most popular weekend places for residents of Warsaw. Points of interest include: Collegiate Church of Annunciation Small Gothic church with unique Renaissance stuccos The Old Town market (reputedly the longest market square in Europe) Town Hall with 15th century Tower (it now houses a Regional Museum) Polonia Castle (now operated as a hotel named Dom Polonii) Ogródek Jordanowski, one of the first children's playgrounds in Poland Monument to murdered Jewish residents of Pułtusk. The population of Pułtusk included approximately 9,000 Jews in 1939 before the Holocaust in Poland Soviet military cemetery Education Pułtusk Academy of Humanities Sports The local football club is Nadnarwianka Pułtusk. It competes in the lower leagues. International relations Twin towns — Sister cities Pułtusk is twinned with: Ganderkesee, Germany Montmorency, France New Britain, United States Senica, Slovakia Szerencs, Hungary Notes and references External links Municipal Website (Polish) Pultusk Academy of Humanities Pultusk student's radio ATENA Photos