INTRODUCTION

Bielsko-Biała is a regional capital town with a population of about 180 000, the seat of two regional authorities: grodzki and ziemski and of two bishoprics: the Catholic Diocese of Bielsko-Żywiec and the Evangelic-Augsburg Diocese of Cieszyn. It has recently emerged as an academic centre having its own independent state institution - The Academy of Science and the Arts - and a few branches of other institutions and many private high schools.

Known years ago as „The Town of a Hundred Industries”, Bielsko-Biała proudly continues the economic traditions of the region, as an energetic centre of trade and industry in which medium and small businesses dominate.

Charming, spread at the foot of Silesian and Mały Beskid Mountains, the town is one of the most interesting towns in the south of Poland, willingly visited by tourists. The guests are attracted to Bielsko-Biała, known as „Little Vienna”, not only by the beauty of the town’s architecture but also the fascinating landscapes of the surrounding Beskid Mountains. Many tourist trails leading to the mountains begin in the town and in the town itself, in numerous sports and recreation centres, there are attractions to those wanting to spend their free time in an active way. Bielsko-Biała is also a well-known cultural centre whose entertainments - concerts, plays, exhibitions, festivals - attract numerous audiences not only from the region but also from the whole country.

We hope this publication will help you discover the charm and attraction of Bielsko-Biała. You will find much useful information in it. In the first part of the folder we have included the answers to the questions: how to get to the town using different means of transport, what visa and customs obligations apply in Poland, how to pay bills. It also includes emergency telephone numbers for police, ambulance, fire brigade, etc. The second part of the publication will familiarise you with the history of Bielsko-Biała and will acquaint you with the town’s most interesting monuments and most fascinating buildings. The third part is devoted to: accommodation, communication and transport in the town. The index should help in finding specific information. It is also worth visiting the town’s Tourist Information Centre, 4 Ratuszowy Square, phone 819-00-50, www.it.bielsko.pl

 

REACHING THE TOWN

By Car

Bielsko-Biała lies on historical routes linking the north and east of Europe with the south of the continent. Its border vicinity makes it an important center of trade, industry and tourism.

The A1 road from northern Poland, through central Poland and Silesia enters Bielsko-Biała where it turns to the west in the direction of the Polish-Czech border and the largest border crossing on the southern border - Cieszyn. Nearby there are a further two crossings open to road traffic:
- Jasnowice near Istebna (nr 941 to Wisła and nr 93 to Ustroń and nr 1 to Bielsko-Biała).
- Leszna Góra near Ustroń (nr 93 to Ustroń and nr 1 to Bielsko-Biała).
From the south of Bielsko-Biała, road 944 leads to the Polish-Slovakian border crossing in Zwardoń. The Żywiec to Bielsko-Biała stretch is nr 94. One can travel to Bielsko-Biała from Slovakia using one of two smaller crossings:
- Ujsoły (nr 04-348)
- Korbielów (nr 945)

Road nr 96 leads from Bielsko-Biała to the county of Ma³opolska. The road links Bielsko-Biała and Cracow, passing through ma³opolska towns: Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Wadowice, Andrychów and Kêty, which is reached by road nr. 948 to Oœwiêcim. A slightly longer, but quicker, route from Bielsko-Biała to Cracow is nr 1 to Tychy and nr 15 to the A4 Katowice-Cracow motorway.

By Bus

The town has convenient connections to many towns in the region, in the county, the country and even abroad. The lines are served by Polish Road Transport Bielsko-Biala and branches from other towns as well as private travel companies.
Bielsko-Biała bus station is at 7 Warszawska St. Bus information tel. 812 2825

By Train

The rail network facilitates travel around the region as well as longer national and international journeys on long distance and express trains. The Warsaw – Bielsko-Biała journey is comfortable and quick with services being offered by Polish Rail intercity.
Bielsko-Biała Main Railway Station is at 2 Warszawska St. Rail information tel. 9436.

By Air

Bielsko-Biała is accessible from 3 airports, all about 80 km from the town: Balice, near Cracow; Pyrzowice, near Katowice; and Ostrava, close to the border in the Czech Republic. Bielsko-Biała will soon have its own airport in Aleksandrowice, with facilities for small passenger and cargo aircraft.

 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Money

The Polish currency is the Zloty. Banknotes of 10,20,50,100 and 200 zloty are in circulation with coins of 1,2 and 5 zloty with smaller coins of 50,20,10,5,2 and 1 grosz (gr.).
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and money exchanges. Banks do not charge a fee unless the banknotes are damaged. However, they use their own exchange rate, which differs slightly from that of the Bank of Poland. Money exchanges do charge a fee, as do banks when cashing cheques.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are a popular method of payment. They are accepted by almost all hotels, guest houses, restaurants and shops. They are also used to withdraw cash from ATM machines at banks and on streets. The most widely accepted cards are: Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, Eurocard, Maestro and Diners Club International.

Visas

Citizens of Western and Central European countries as well as North America and most South American countries can enter Poland without a visa. A tourist visit to Poland should usually last no longer than three months, or exactly ninety days and in the case of citizens of Bulgaria, Macedonia or Singapore, thirty days. Entry visas are required of citizens of former Soviet states, Asia and Africa. Visa types and lengths are decided by international agreements.

Customs Duty

The personal luggage of travelers entering Poland is free from duty if the items do not suggest commercial intent in their type and quantity. Limits are applied to alcohol, cigarettes and perfumes. An adult can bring into the country duty free: 1 litre of spirits, 2 litres of wine, 5 litres of beer, 200 cigarettes, 50ml of perfume. Lower, monthly, limits are applied to inhabitants of border regions: 0.5l alcohol, 20 cigarettes, 25ml perfume. Medicines can be brought in by all in quantities required for personal use.
When crossing the border, valuable items in luggage should be declared. The value of duty free baggage cannot exceed 175 Euro for adults and 90 Euro for children and 80 Euro for inhabitants of border regions. Goods of no commercial value but of a higher cash value to a maximum of 350 Euro are subject to duty of 3.5%. Travellers can also bring into the country Polish and foreign currency not exceeding the value of 5000 Euro. Larger sums require documentation of source eg. Bank statement.

USEFUL PHRASES

Yes, no
Tak, nie

Please
Proszę

Sorry
Przepraszam

Thank you, thank you very much
Dziękuję, dziękuję bardzo

Good morning/afternoon, good evening, good night, goodbye, see you
Dzień dobry, dobry wieczór, dobranoc, do widzenia, do zobaczenia

How are you?
Jak się Pan/Pani miewa? Co słychać u Pana/Pani?

Who is that? What is that?
Kto to jest? Co to jest?

Why?
Dlaczego?

I'm looking for Mickiewicza St.
Szukam ulicy Mickiewicza.

I need help.
Potrzebuję pomocy.

Where is the railway station?
Gdzie znajduje się dworzec kolejowy?

How can I get to the bus station?
Jak dojść, dojechać do dworca autobusowego?

Where is the chemist's?
Gdzie można znaleźć aptekę?

Please show me on the map/in the book, where the nearest bank/money exchange is.
Proszę pokazać mi na mapie/w książce, gdzie jest najbliższy bank/kantor wymiany walut.

Please repeat.
Proszę powtórzyć.

Can you please help me?
Czy może mi Pan/Pani pomóc?

I'd like to reserve a room.
Chciałbym/chciałabym zarezerwować pokój.

I'd like to buy a book.
Chciałbym/chciałabym kupić książkę.

I'd like to order a coffee.
Chciałbym/chciałabym zamówić kawę.

At what time does the train to Warsaw leave? What time will we arrive in Cracow?
Kiedy odjeżdża pociąg do Warszawy? O której będziemy w Krakowie?

How much is a ticket?
Ile kosztuje bilet?

When is the ticket/cash desk open? When is the shop open?
W jakich godzinach jest otwarta kasa? W jakich godzinach czynny jest sklep?

 

HISTORY OF BIELSKO-BIAŁA

BIELSKO TOWN

12th century - foundation of a fortified village in Old Bielsko (destroyed in the 14th century)
1312 - first document confirming the existence of Bielsko town
1327 - Cieszyn and Oświęcim Principalities fell under the Czech reign
1457 - Oświęcim Principality returns to Poland, the Biała River becomes the Polish-Czech
border
1526 - Silesia reigned by the Habsburgs, the Biała River becomes the Polish-Austrian
border
1572 - Bielsko and surroundings are detached from Cieszyn Principality as separate region, so called "Bielsko State"
1742 - annexation of 6/7 parts of Silesia by Prussia - "Bielsko State" becomes the part of
Austrian Silesia
1918 - Bielsko returns to the revived Polish State (Silesian voievodeship)
1939 - Bielsko united with Biała town and incorporated into the Reich
1945 - Bielsko within Poland's borders

BIAŁA TOWN

1564 - first document mentioning Biała as a part of the Lipnik village
1613 - Biała is detached from Lipnik village as an independent settlement
1723 - Biała becomes a town
1772 - in result of the first Poland's annexation, Biała is incorporated into Austria
(Galicja)
1918 - Biała returns to the revived Polish State (Cracow voievodeship)
1939 - Biała united with Bielsko Town and incorporated into the Reich
1945 - Biała within Poland's borders

BIELSKO-BIAŁA TOWN

1951 - unification of both towns
1975 - creation of Bielsko-Biała voievodeship
1999 - creation of Bielsko-Biała administrative district within Silesian voievodeship

 

SIGHTSEEING

The Town's History

- Grodzisko in Old Bielsko, on Pod Grodziskiem and Szwedzki Wał Streets - the remains of medieval agricultural, production and fortification settlements. Probably dating back to the 12th century, it is the town's oldest evidence of organized settlement.

- The castle - the oldest settlements on the town hill come from the 13th century, but the first fortifications were probably established here in the 14th century. T was later extended and renovated many times. Its current architecture is electric in character, reverting to roman, gothic and renaissance styles. The castle is called the Sułkowski Castle, after its last owners, and it houses Bielsko-Biała's museum, which exhibits graphic and art galleries from 19th century to modern, historical and archeological relics associated with the town's history, and more recently armoury and hunting rooms.
- The Market Square - the center of medieval Bielsko with its classic town system. It originally had wooden buildings which, after being destroyed by fire, were replaced with brick tenement houses. Today, tenement houses from the 17th and 18th centuries stand there. Narrow cobblestone streets lead away from the square. Nearby Podcienie St. with its monumental arcade, next to the castle, one can admire one of the most beautiful buildings in the town - Kałuży baroque tenement house on Wzgórze St. The Old Town was surrounded by defensive walls whose remains can be seen on Orkana St.
- The weaver's House at 51 Sobieskiego St. - home and workshop of a Bielsko weaver in a reconstructed wooden building. The site is a part of Bielsko-Biała Museum.
- Museum of Technology and Textile Industry at 7 Sukienniczej St. - exhibits, in a former production hall, old textile and printing machinery and fire service vehicles.

The beauty of Little Vienna

Because of its beauty and similarities to the capital of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, the town was known as "Little Vienna".

- The main railway station building. In 1855 Bielsko was connected to the northern railway of Cezar Ferdinand, running from Vienna to Lwów. The building was raised in 1890, and beautifully restored delights with its Pompeii polychrome in the main hall.
- The tenement houses of Bielsko's industrialists on 3 Maj, Mickiewicza and Słowackiego Streets. The villa once belonging to Teodor Sixta, financier and philanthropist, and the neo baroque tenement house of Alfred Michel are worth particular attention.
- Prezydent Hotel on 3 Maj St. - the former famous Cezar's Hotel with neo renaissance façade.
- Building of the former Town Theatre, now the Polish Theatre on 1 Maj St. Build in classis palladium style, with statues of Apollo and the muses Melpomena and Talia in its façade. It has a beautifully restored interior, richly decorated in artwork and paintings, and curtain presenting a nymphs' dance.
- Main post office on Zamkowa St. - with characteristic copula and figures of Jupiter with eagle and Mercury with staff.

- Town Hall on Town Hall Square - a wonderful neo renaissance building, once home to the Community Savings Office, Magistrate and Town Council, and today home to the town's authorities.
- Pod Orłem Hotel (Under the Eagle) - the presentable building of the former Pod Czarnym Orłem (Under the Black Eagle) Hotel, with hotel rooms having been converted into office space and exclusive shopping pavilion.

The Beauty of Secession

Many wonderful examples of secession remain in the architecture of Bielsko-Biała.

- The Regional Court building on the corner of Mickiewicza and Sienkiewicza Streets - formerly housing a Jewish school and Jewish Faith Centre. It is distinguished by its secession-oriental elevation with stone portals and window frames, covered with interesting plant ornament.
- Secession tenement houses at 12 and 13 Wojska Polskiego Square. The first has a decorative Prussian wall, pseudo-tower, renal windows and oriels over its entrances. It once housed Rudolf Nahowski's wine cellars and this is no doubt why over the Targowa St. entrance one can see two festive frogs. The second building has a decorative elevation depicting tree tops.
- Patria restaurant on the corner of 3 Maja and Wgórze Streets, with interior secession decoration. At the end of the 19th century, it was Bielsko's first Viennese Café "Europa".
- Pod Orłem Hotel on 11 Listopada St. next to Wolności Square - has secession decoration of vestibule and stairway.

Bielsko-Biała's Churches and Cemeteries

- St. Stanisław's Church in Old Bielsko - gothic church with precious polychrome was built in the second half of the 14th century as a place of worship for Bielsko.
- St. Nicholas' Cathedral on St. Nicholas' Square - a 15th century gothic church last extended at the beginning of the 20th century. The church then received an extended nave and neo roman façade with tall crowned steeple and several stories of loggia.
- St. Anne's Chapel on Wgórze St. - neo roman castle chapel from the middle of 19th century with a crypt housing the tombs of the Sułkowskis, the castle's last owners.
- Holy Trinity Church on Sobieskiego St. - raised at the beginning of the 17th century in late gothic style, as the first new protestant place of worship. It was taken over by the Catholics during the contra reformation. After extension work, the church is electric in character.
- God's Providence Church in Biała - a baroque church containing valuable antique artwork from the latter half of the 18th century, for example pulpit in the shape of a fishing boat floating under a cross, with Jonah in a whale's mouth.
- St. Barbara's Church in Mikuszowice - a charming wooden church from the late 17th century with interesting polychrome.
- Cemeteries - old headstones can be seen at two burial sites: on Grunwaldzka St. in Bielsko, and Cemetery St. in Biała

Evangelist Monuments

- "Bielsko's Zion" - the part of town with Martin Luther Square, belonging to Bielsko's Evangelist Parish, on which stand: Church of the Saviour, presbytery, "Augustana' publishing house and two schools. The headquarters of the bishop for the Cieszyn diocese of the Evangelic-Ausburg Church is also here.
- Statue of Martin Luther on the square named after him - cast in bronze, it is the only statue of the theologian and reformist in Poland.
- Church of the saviour on Luther Square - neo gothic church with beautiful 19th century organs.
- Church of John the Baptist in Old Bielsko - 19th century church with several windows on three storeys.
- Church of Martin Luther in Biała - raised at the end of the 18th century with valuable organs made at the famous Karol Kuttler works in Opawa.
- Evangelic cemeteries - there are several in the town. The old, now closed, burial ground on Frycza-Modrzewskiego St. is particularly worthy of attention, as well as the park cemetery on Listopadowa St.

Traces of Bielsko's Jews

- Synagogues - both of Bielsko's synagogues were destroyed by the nazis. Where one of them once stood, we today find the Office of Artistic Exhibitions, on 3 Maja St. The demolished synagogue is remembered with a plaque in its walls on the Mickiewicza St. side.
- "Banialuka" Theatre building on Mickiewicza St. - before WWII a Jewish cultural center in memory of the Jewish poet Chaim Nachmann Bialik.
- Cemeteries - The Jewish cemetery in Biała was closed in the 60s by the local authorities. However, a second was opened on Cieszyńska St. The funeral parlour was also saved with its polychrome on the walls.

 

SHOPPING

11-Listopada St. - the main shopping promenade. It connects the two parts of the city - Bielsko and Biała, separated by the river Biała. The tenement houses on both sides of the street and the buildings lining the adjacent squares house various shops. "Klimczok" department store stands on Wojska Polskiego Square. The Hotel Pod Orłem building, formerly the Hotel Pod Czarnym Orłem, can be found next to Wolności Square with its hotel rooms having been converted to office space and exclusive shopping arcade.a second such passage can be found in the former Vienna Credit Company, today "Biała" centre in 11-Listopada St.

"Sfera", shopping centre with "Kinoplex" seven screen cinema, has been developed on the northern side of Mostowa St. by the bank of the river Biała in the former industrial district of Bielsko-Biała, which is now becoming a centre of trade and entertainment. Recently raised the construction takes us back in its modern style to the character of the factory buildings previously existing here. The centre's several levels are filled with shops and boutiques. A wide aisle, resembling a shopping street, runs through the middle of the centre under a glass roof. The store has a large free car park.

"Sarni Stok"- the big shopping centre situated on the western side of Warszawska St., the major traffic route leading from Bielsko-Biała to Katowice and Warszawa. The complex is made up of large area stores - grocery "Hypernova" and "Media Markt" with audiovisual equipment and household goods - together with a passage filled with boutiques, trade, catering and servicing stalls. Customers visiting "Sarni Stok" have a large two-level car park at their disposal.

"Tesco" and "Castorama" - on the western side of Warszawska St. next to the Cracow and Cieszyn turnoffs there are two large stores. "Tesco", apart from foods, offers a wide choice of non food items. "Castorama" specialises in house and garden.

"Auchan" - a store situated next to Monte Casino St., the route leading from Bielsko-Biała to Cieszyn. The building has an interesting elevation reminding us of the architecture of the monumental Bielsko-Biała Railway Station. The building contains a supermarket and accompanying shops together with servicing and catering points.