Cieszyn is a town in southern Poland with 37,300 inhabitants (1995), situated in the Silesian Voivodship (since 1999), previously in Bielsko-Biala Voivodship (1975-1998). Cieszyn lies on the Olza, a tributary of the Oder river, opposite to the Cesky Tesin. The town combines both Polish and Austrian peculiarities in the style of its buildings. Because of several major fires and subsequent reconstructions (the last one in the late 18th century), the picturesque old town is sometimes called Little Vienna. The only relic of the ancient castle is a square tower, dating from the 12th century and 10th century romanesque chapel.
History
Cieszyn was the capital of the Duchy of Cieszyn and shared its history throughout the ages. It was at Teschen that Maria Theresa and Frederick II signed on May 13, 1779 the Teschen Peace Treaty, which put an end to the War of the Bavarian Succession.
Following the Czechoslovak invasion of Poland in January 1919 the city was divided in 1920 by the Conference of Ambassadors, a body formed by the Versailles Treaty. Its suburb of Saska K?pa became what is now the town of ?esk T?n in Czech Republic.
Related Travel Information
?eskż T?ķn is a town in the northeastern Czech Republic, at the Olza river, in Moravian-Silesian Region. It had approximately 25,900 inhabitants in 2003.
Until 1920 it was called Saska K?pa and was a suburb of the town of Cieszyn. After the Munich Pact of 1938 the two towns were forceably rejoined by Polish military intervention, only to be again parted in 1945.
The town is a small centre of commerce and paper industry.
See also
History of Cieszyn and Tesin
Zaolzie
Bielsko-Bia?a (pronounce: ['bi?lsk?:biawa]) is a city in southern Poland with 180,307 inhabitants (1999).
Situated in the Silesian Voivodship (since 1999), previously capital of Bielsko-Biala Voivodship (1975-1998).
Politics
Bielsko-Bia?a constituency
Members of Parliament (Sejm) elected from Bielsko-Bia?a constituency
Falfus Jacek, PiS
Kobielusz Antoni, SLD-UP
P?onka Edward, PO
Smolana Piotr, Samoobrona
Sztwiertnia Jan, SLD-UP
Szwarc Jan, SLD-UP
Tomczykiewicz Tomasz, PO
Zadora Stanis?aw, LPR
Zarzycki Kazimierz, SLD-UP
Famous people from Bielsko-Bia?a
Zbigniew Preisner
Sports
Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Bia?a - men's football team (2nd league 2004/2005).
BBTS Siatkarz Original Bielsko-Bia?a - men's volleyball team playing in Polish Volleyball League (Polska Liga Siatkówki, PLS: Seria A in 2003/2004, Seria B in 2004/2005 season).
BKS Stal Bielsko-Bia?a - women's volleyball team:Polish Champion 2004, playing in Polish
Ska?a is a town in southern Poland, situated in the Lesser Poland Voivodship (since 1999), previously in Krakow Voivodship (1975-1998).
Krzywi? is a small town in centre Poland in the Koscian County, Greater Poland Voivodship, located at the Obra canal.
Chrzanów is a town in south Poland with 42,100 inhabitants (1995). Situated in the Lesser Poland Voivodship (since 1999), previously in Malopolska.
