Żory [] (Sohrau) is a town in southern Poland with 62,625 inhabitants (2006).

Since 1999 it has been part of Silesian Voivodeship; it was previously in Katowice Voivodeship (1975–1998).

History

One of the oldest towns in Silesia, Żory was granted city rights in 1272 by Władysław Opolski.

Education

• Górnośląska Wyższa Szkoła Handlowa im. Wojciecha Korfantego in Katowice - Branch in Zory (Wydział zamiejscowy w Żorach)
• Silesian University of Technology - Branch in Zory

Sport

• Pogoń 1922 Żory - women's handball team playing in Polish Ekstraklasa Women's Handball League: winner of 1st league in 2003/2004 season; promoted to Premiership in 2004/2005 seasson.

Famous people born in Żory

• Jerzy Makula, two times European Glider Aerobatic Champion and six times World Glider Aerobatic Champion
• Stanisław Sojka, jazz and pop singer/songwriter
• Otto Stern, physicist and Nobel laureate