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Cieszyn

2006-04-26

According to legend, Cieszyn was established in 810 by the three brothers Leszko, Bolko and Cieszko in memory of their meeting after a long separation. Historians claim that Cieszyn was established at the end of the 10th century. The first written mention of the town dates from 1155, whereas the original founding of the town took place between 1217 and 1223. At the end of the 13th century, Cieszyn became the capital of the Duchy of Cieszyn, ruled by the Piast dynasty until the middle of the 17th century when it was taken over by the Habsburg dynasty.

In 1920, the town was divided into two parts, with the left-bank part becoming part of Czechoslovakia and so creating the town of Český Těsín. During World War II, the towns became one again, only to be parted once more in 1945 to return to their pre-war state. Together the towns constitute an important communication centre on the joint Czech-Polish-Slovakian borders (there are three Polish-Czech border crossings). As district towns, they constitute the educational, cultural and administration centre for the whole of Cieszyn Silesia, on both sides of the Olza River. Together they form the capital of the Cieszyn Silesia Euroregion.

Up to the present, the town has preserved its medieval urban plan, and has many monuments and charming places to visit. Góra Zamkowa – Castle Hill is exceptional, where can be found the Romanesque St. Nicholas’ Rotunda (11th century), one of the oldest Christian temples in Poland and the most precious monument in Cieszyn Silesia; the Final Defence Tower (13th century); and the Piast Tower (the best viewing point for the town and its surroundings), which has survived from the 14th century Castle of Cieszyn Piasts. In the 19th century, a Habsburg residence was built on the castle remains, both this Hunting Lodge and its romantic park were designed by the outstanding Viennese architect, Kornhäusel. In the palace can be found the Silesian Castle of Art and Enterprise and the Public Music School.

Głęboka Street is the main shopping street of the town, leading from the castle to the market. It was established at the end of the 15th century, has many monumental tenements, as well as the Town Hall occupying one of its frontages. Not far away is the more than 200-year old Museum of Cieszyn Silesia with rich art plus historical, archaeological and ethnographical collections. The jewel of the Theatrical Square is the art nouveau Theatre and the building of the former Prince’s Mint, presently housing the Cieszyn Historical Library – a scientific library with the most valuable collections of old prints and incunabula in Silesia.

In the Old Market you can find a copy of the 14th century Madonna with the Child figure (the original is in the museum), which was created in the workshop of Piotr Parler as well as the tombstone of Przemysław Noszak, the Cieszyn Prince, which can be found in the chancel of St. Mary Magdalena’s Parish Church. This is one of several beautiful old churches in the town, and where the members of the Cieszyn Piast were buried. The 18th century Jesus Church is the largest protestant church in Silesia, while the church of the Order of the Brothers Hospitallers contains a very interesting baroque interior. The Well of Three Brothers refers to the legend of Cieszyn origin. In the same vicinity is a picturesque nook, Cieszyn Venice, the former weavers and tanners’ district. Marked and described walking routes leading through historic parts of both towns invite everyone to take longer or shorter walks through parks, forests and reserves, where the decoration is a unique flower with pale-green petals – the spring Cieszynian flower (hacquetia epipactis). Some places with a special atmosphere include those on the route called “In the footsteps of Cieszyn’s Jews”: two large Jewish cemeteries, with a harmonious joining of historic, unique and natural virtues took place.

The cycling routes include the Beskidzko-Karpacka route, the Greenways (Kraków-Morava–Vienna) route and the Cieszyn Silesia Euroregion route, as well as the start of the long Český Těsín – Jihlava route. These tracks are connected with the international, regional and local cycle routes of Silesia, the Beskids, Trójstyk and the Ostrawsko – Karviński region.

The town can also boast of a significant number of frequent cultural, recreational and sports events.
The most important include:

• The Days of the Theatre... (March)
• The Festival of Czech and Slovak films “Cinema on the Border” (April)
• “Without Borders” International Theatre Festival (May)
• Festival of Homeless Art (May)
• “The Three Brothers’ Festival” – the holiday of the towns (June)
• “Viva il Canto” Vocal Music Festival (August)
• “Treasures from the Cieszyn decorated folk chests” (September)
• A Decade of Organ, Choir and Chamber Music (October)
• Silesian and Moravian Theatre Festival (November)
• Cieszyn Jazz Festival (November)
• Festival of “Ancient Music in Cieszyn” (November)
• Cieszyn Alpine Skiing Cup (January)
• The Mass Cross-Country Race for the “Dziennik Zachodni” plate and the Silesian TKKF (May)
• Mountain Youth Rally “Welcome of the Spring” (May)
• International Cieszyn Tennis Championships (June)
• International Children’s Football Championships (June)
• International Cycling Race for the Blue Olza Band (September)
• National LA Spartakiad of the Handicapped for the “Ziemia Cieszyńska” Cup (September)
• Mountain Youth Rally “Farewell to the Summer” (October)
• “Cieszyńska Barbórka” Car Rally (November)

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