A Subjective Guidebook to Bielsko-Biala and the Region

This book, which is an extended and subjective guide to the city of Bielsko-Biała, Poland, is the final product of a Junior High School Project of eight students of the Junior High School of the Catholic Cultural Society in Bielsko-Biała, Poland.

Magdalena Brzezinska

Project Coordinator

EFL Teacher

© 2016 by Jacek Boroniec, Jan Brzóska, Faustyna Królak, Dustin Mojesik, Malwina Morcinek, Szymon Sablik, Kajetan Srokosz, Sonia Zalewska. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Bielsko-Biala, Poland

14. 03. 2016

by Jacek Boroniec

In Bielsko - Biała there are very beautiful old monuments. The history of these buildings is very long and interesting. The oldest monuments are 700 years old. The oldest one is

Sułkowskis’ castle .

the

It’s the oldest and biggest building in

the centre of the city. It is the most popular monument.

We have a beautiful

town hall

too. It was built in 19th

century. It was designed by Emanuel Rost.

In

the

old

market

we

Nouveau townhouses.

have

Renaissance and Art

They have been renovated lately

and look great with new roofs and colours.

In

our

city

we

have

the

very

beautiful

St. Nicholas’

cathedral , which is located in St. Nicholas’ square.

There is a breathtaking

train station

in Bielsko, which was

opened in the 19th century by Franz Joseph, the emperor of Austria.

by Kajetan Srokosz Bielsko is the most beautiful city in the south of Silesia. In historical buildings there dominate such architectural styles as: Neo-Gothic, NeoRenaissance, Neo-Baroque and eclecticism, and to a lesser extent Classicism and Secession. Other architectural styles are represented primarily in religious buildings and preserved pre-industrial-age Old Town tenement houses.

Walking around the city, first of all you will see that it is renovated and well cared for. Townhouses are mostly refurbished and beautifully decorated. I would like to introduce you to a few examples of the architecture of Bielsko:

The Frog House Because it housed a cafe, you can easily imagine how from the wine barrels flowed a broad stream, and probably smartly-dressed visitors could listen to music and smoke a pipe, a cigar or a cigarette there. Not surprisingly, the frogs are wearing tuxedos, holding a mandolin and a glass. Maybe they want to join the company of people in the cafe?

The Polish Theater It was built between 1889 and 1890 and designed by Viennese architect Emil von Fรถrster in the eclectic style, with a predominance of Neo Classicism and Neo-Baroque, using the Roman Arch of Triumph motif on the facade, and also decorated with statues of Apollo and two muses: Melpomene and Thalia.

The theatre looks like the Viennese Opera and the National Theatre in Budapest. This is what Fรถrster wanted.

To this day, there is a curtain from 1890. It shows Dancing Nymphs, and it was made in the studio of Francis Rottonary.

The Bielsko Town Hall It was created, like so many buildings mentioned before, in the last years of the century. It was a symbol of diligence for the common good.

There is a bee in the highest outpost attic. The arcaded windows brighten the Great Council Hall.

The main railway station The railway station was opened in 1855. It was the heir to the Austrian branch of the Northern Railway. To the original station, which was located on the outskirts of the city, there led the Railway Street (now Barlickiego).

It was built between 1889 and 1890 by architect Karol Korn and designed by architect Charles Schulz

The Sułkowskis’ Castle Although the Bielsko castle is one of the oldest buildings in the city, its external current shape is the result of reconstruction conducted in the years 1855-1864. Fragments of Medieval and Renaissance buildings and even murals covering its walls can now be seen embedded in the current interior. The building did not last long in its original shape, because already in 1836 it burnt down.

by Faustyna Królak

In Bielsko-Biała there are many churches. The most popular churches are: Parafia Katedralna pod wezwaniem Św. Mikołaja, Rzymskokatolicka Parafia Trójcy Przenajświętszej w BielskuBiałej and Najświętszej Marii Panny Królowej Polski.

VARIOUS RELIGIONS Bielsko- Biała is a very religious city in Poland. Many people are Christians. About 90% are Christians, 5% are Protestants and 5% are other religion (Atheists, Jews‌)

A commemorative plaque on the wall of the Bielsko Art Gallery where there used to be a Synagogue.

Catholic sculptures

POPE JOHN PAUL II Pope John Paul II was born Karol Józef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland, near Bielsko-Biala. He was a poet, actor and an enthusiast of Polish mountains. On 14 May 1938 Karol Wojtyła graduated from school. In 1938, Karol started studying Polish philology at the Jagiellonian University. In 1946 he was ordained priest. In 1958 Karol Wojtyła became a Bishop. He was the first Pope from Poland. John Paul II died on 2 April 2005 at 9:37 pm.

Christmas

by Malwina Morcinek

Christmas is one of the most popular festivals in Poland. We celebrate Christmas Eve the most. All day each family prepares itself for the Christmas dinner. When the first star appears in the sky, families begin to celebrate. At the beginning we pray and read the Gospel of Jesus' birth. On that evening every table is decorated with a white tablecloth. Under the tablecloth we place hay, and branches of spruce on its top. An old Polish tradition is to leave an empty plate for an unexpected guest.

After dinner, we open the gifts that are lying under the Christmas tree. Awaiting midnight, we eat cake and other sweets, and we sing Christmas carols. On that particular day, at midnight, magical things happened: animals speak and bad children become good. At midnight, we go to church for a midnight mass. On the first and second day of Christmas we visit or families and friends.

Traditional food in Poland

by Jan Brz贸ska

Kotlet schabowy Breaded pork loin. Reminiscent of Wiener schnitzel. History of Polish pork chops dates back to the nineteenth century.

Oscypek Hard smoked cheese. It is made from ship’s milk and it is characteristic for Polish mountains, especially Podhale.

Ĺťurek Acidified soup flour with eggs and sausage. The perfect addition is bread.

Pierogis

Boiled dough.They can be made with meet, white cheese (twar贸g) or vegetables.

The ending Polish food is amazing and perfect for everyone. If any of you want to come to Poland, I encourage you to taste these dishes!

by Szymon Sablik

Chimney sweep A chimney sweep is a worker who clears ash and soot from chimneys He also checks the condition of the chimneys.

Shepherd A shepherd is a person who takes care of or guards herds of sheep.

Shepherding is one of the oldest occupations, beginning some 5,000 years ago in Asia . Sheep were kept for their milk, meat and especially for their wool.

Smith A smith creates objects from iron or steel by forging the metal, using tools, for example a hammer. A smith produces such things as: furniture, sculptures, tools, gates.

Cooper A cooper makes casks, drums and barrels and other accessories, usually out of wood, but sometimes using other materials.

More examples of what a cooper can make: Barrels Buckets Tubs Pipes

Types of schools in Poland

by Sonia Zalewska

1. Kindergarten - for children aged 3-5/6 years 2. Primary/Elementary school - 6 classes, for children 6/712/13 years 3. Middle school - 3 classes, for children age 12/13- 15/16 4. Secondary schools (high school- lasts 3 years; technical school/ vocational school- they last 4 years but you're studying profession) 5. University studies Our lessons usually start at 7:30 am and end at about 14:45.

Each lesson lasts 45 minutes, and there is a a break of 10 or 15 minutes. In our school, in each class there are up to 24 people. But there are small schools, with classes of 15-18 students, and big schools, with more than 30 students.

Here is a list of our school subjects: 1. wos- civics/ social studies 2. matematyka- math 3. historia- history 4. j.angielski- English 5. geografia- geography 6. fizyka- physics 7. zaj. arty./ muzyka- music 8. biologia- biology 9. zaj. z wycho.- advisory class 10.

Italian/German/Spanish/French 11. religia- religion 12. edb- safety education 13. wf- physical education 14. wdĹź- preparation for family life 15. chemia- chemistry 16. konw.- conversations- lessons speakers 17. informatyka- computer science 18. plastyka- art

with

native

Sports in Bielsko-Biała

by Dustin Mojesik

In our town we have four swimming pools, 2 covered and 2 outdoors ones.

We have a lot of pitches and 1 large stadium

The Bielsko – Bialski Aero Club has existed in Bielsko - Biala since 1945. It’s base is Aleksandrowickie Airport. The Aero Club has four sections: airplanes, gliders, parachutes, modeling.

We also have a lot of bicycle paths to cycle safely.

Recently ( in 2013 ) the city built a ski slope, "Debowiec".