Częstochowa

Częstochowa
Częstochowa tourist's attractions, Top left: eclectic Kamienica Kupiecka (1894 - 1907), Top right: Fountain at Stanisław Staszic Park, Middle: View of May Third Park and Jasna Góra Monastery, Bottom left: View of Holy Virgin Mary Avenue and Jasna Góra, Bottom right: Częstochowa City Hall
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Jasne, że Częstochowa (Częstochowa it's clear)
Częstochowa
Coordinates: 50°48′N 19°7′E / 50.800°N 19.117°E / 50.800; 19.117
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	Silesian
County	city county
Established	11th century
Town rights	1356
Government
• Mayor	Krzysztof Matyjaszczyk
Area
• City	160 km2 (60 sq mi)
Population (2013)
• City	235,798
• Density	1,500/km2 (3,800/sq mi)
• Metro	400,000
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	42-200 to 42-229, 42-263, 42-271, 42-280, 42-294
Area code(s)	+48 34
Car plates	SC
Website	http://www.czestochowa.pl/

Częstochowa [t͡ʂɛ̃stɔˈxɔva] is a city in southern Poland on the Warta River with 240,027 inhabitants as of June 2009. It has been situated in the Silesian Voivodeship (administrative division) since 1999, and was previously the capital of the Częstochowa Voivodeship (1975–1998). However, Częstochowa is historically part of Lesser Poland, not of Silesia, and before 1795 (see: Partitions of Poland), it belonged to the Kraków Voivodeship. Częstochowa is located in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. It is 13th most populous city in Poland. It is the largest economic, cultural and administrative hub in the northern part of the Silesian Voivodeship.

The city is known for the famous Pauline monastery of Jasna Góra, which is the home of the Black Madonna painting (Polish: Jasnogórski Cudowny obraz Najświętszej Maryi Panny Niepokalanie Poczętej), a shrine to the Virgin Mary. Every year, millions of pilgrims from all over the world come to Częstochowa to see it. The city also was home to the Frankism in the late 18th and 19th Century. There is also a Lusatian culture excavation site and museum in the city, and ruins of a medieval castle in Olsztyn, approximately 25 kilometres (16 miles) from the city centre (see also Trail of the Eagles' Nests).^[1]

City name

The name of Częstochowa means Częstoch's place and comes from a personal name of Częstoch mentioned in the medieval documents also as Częstobor and Częstomir.^[2] Variations of the name include Czanstochowa used in 1220, and Częstochow used in 1382 and 1558. A part of today's city called Częstochówka was a separate municipality mentioned in the 14th century as the Old Częstochowa (Antiquo Czanstochowa, 1382) and Częstochówka in 1470-80.^[3] The city was also known in German as Tschenstochau and in Russian as Ченстохов (Chenstokhov).

History

According to archaeological findings, the first Slavic settlement in the location of Częstochowa was established in the late 11th century. It was first mentioned in historical documents from 1220, when Bishop of Kraków Iwo Odrowąż made a list of properties of the Mstów monastery. Two villages, Częstochowa and Częstochówka were mentioned in the document. Both of them belonged to the basic territorial unit of Slavic tribes (opole), with its capital at Mstów. Częstochówka was located on a hill on which the Jasna Góra Monastery was later built. In the late 13th century Częstochowa became the seat of a Roman Catholic parish church, which was subjected to the Lelów deanery. The village was located in northwestern corner of Kraków Land, Lesser Poland, near the Royal Castle at Olsztyn. Częstochowa lay along a busy merchant road from Lesser Poland to Greater Poland. The village was ruled by a starosta, who stayed at the Olsztyn Castle. It is not known when Częstochowa was granted town charter, as no documents have been preserved. It happened some time between 1356 - 1377. In 1502, King Alexander Jagiellon granted a new charter, based on Magdeburg rights to Częstochowa. In 1382 the Paulist monastery of Jasna Góra was founded by Vladislaus II of Opole - the Polish Piast prince of Upper Silesia. Two years later the monastery received its famous Black Madonna icon of the Virgin Mary and in subsequent years became a centre of pilgrimage, contributing to the growth of the adjacent town.^[1]

Częstochowa prospered in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, due to efforts of Sigismund I the Old, the future king of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. At that time, Sigismund ruled the Duchy of Głogów, and frequently visited Częstochowa on his way to the Duchies of Silesia (1498, 1502, 1502, 1503, 1505, 1505, 1506). In 1504, Częstochowa was granted the right to collect tolls on the Warta river bridge. In 1508, Częstochowa was allowed to organize one fair a year; in 1564, the number of fairs was increased to three annually, and in 1639 to six. In the year 1631, Częstochowa had 399 houses, but at the same time, several residents died in a plague, after which 78 houses were abandoned.^[1]

In the first half of the 17th century, kings of the House of Vasa turned the Jasna Góra Monastery into a modern Dutch-style fortress, which was one of the pockets of Polish resistance against the Swedish armies during Swedish invasion of Poland in 1655 (for more information, see Siege of Jasna Góra). The town of Częstochowa itself was almost completely destroyed by Swedish soldiers. It has been estimated that the town lost 50% of population, and 60% of houses. Nevertheless, the destruction was less severe than at other towns in the area (Przyrów, Olsztyn and Mstów). It took several years for Częstochowa to recover from extensive losses. As late as in the 1680s there still were ruined houses in the town. At the same time, the Jasna Góra Monastery prospered. On February 27, 1670, the wedding of king Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki with princess Eleanor of Austria took place here. Furthermore, in 1682 the celebration of 300 anniversary of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa brought thousands of pilgrims from both Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Silesia. The Jewish community in Częstochowa came into existence by about 1700.^[1]

During the Great Northern War, Częstochowa was captured by Swedish army on August 11, 1702. In February 1703 Swedes besieged the monastery, but failed to seize it. In April 1705 the Swedes returned, and appeared at the monastery again in September 1709. Unable to capture the fortified stronghold, they looted villages in the area, set Częstochowa on fire and left towards Wieluń. At that time, a village of Częstochówk also existed next to Częstochowa. The village belonged to the monastery and quickly developed. In 1717 it was granted town charter, and its name was changed into Nowa Częstochowa (New Częstochowa). The town was completely destroyed during the Bar Confederation. On February 8, 1769, the monastery was seized by rebels of the Bar Confederation, commanded by Kazimierz Pułaski. Soon the stronghold was besieged by Russians under German-born General Johann von Drewitz. The Russians gave up on January 15, 1771.^[1]

In 1789, the population of Częstochowa (also called Stara Częstochowa, Old Częstochowa) was app. 1,600, which was less than in the 15th century. After the Sejm passed the Constitution of May 3, 1791, local Sejmiks were obliged to legitimize it. On February 14–15, 1792, a sejmik of the szlachta of northern part of Kraków Voivodeship (counties of Lelów and Książ Wielki) took place in Częstochowa. Traditionally, local sejmiks were organized in Żarnowiec; the fact that it was moved to Częstochowa confirms growing importance of the town. In 1760, Jacob Frank, the leader of a Jewish sect mixing Kabbalah, Catholicism and Islam, was imprisoned for heresy in the monastery by the church. His followers established near him, later establishing a cult of his daughter Eve Frank. In August 1772, Frank was released by the Russian general Bibikov, who had taken occupation of the city, promising the Russians that he would convince Jews to convert to Orthodox Christianity.^[1]

Kingdom of Prussia and Russian Empire

After the Partitions of Poland, Częstochowa was seized by the Kingdom of Prussia (1793). Both Częstochowas (Old and New) belonged to the province of South Prussia, Department of Kalisz (Kalisch), in which Old Częstochowa was the capital of a county (see Districts of Prussia). During the Napoleonic Wars, in 1807 Częstochowa became part of the Duchy of Warsaw, and in 1815, Russian-controlled Congress Poland, in which it remained until World War One. In 1807–1830, Old Częstochowa was the capital of a county. In 1809, the monastery was unsuccessfully besieged by Austrians (see Polish–Austrian War). On April 2, 1813, Jasna Góra was seized by the Russians (see War of the Sixth Coalition), after a two-week siege.^[1]

In 1821, the government of Congress Poland carried out a census, according to which the population of New Częstochowa was 1,036, while the population of Old Częstochowa was 2,758. Furthermore, almost four hundred people lived in several settlements in the area (Zawodzie, Stradom, Kucelin). The idea of a merger of both towns was first brought up in 1815. In 1819, military architect Jan Bernhard planned and started the construction of Aleja Najświętszej Panny Marii—the Holy Virgin Mary Avenue, which is currently the main arterial road of the modern city, and which connected Old Częstochowa with New Częstochowa. Finally, both towns were officially merged on August 19, 1826. The new city quickly emerged as the fourth largest urban centers of Congress Poland; larger were only the cities of Warsaw, Lublin, and Kalisz. On September 8, 1862, a patriotic rally took place in the city, in front of St. Sigismund church. As a reprisal, Russian military authorities destroyed app. 65% of Częstochowa's Old Town, and martial law was introduced. During the January Uprising, several skirmishes took place in the area of Częstochowa, with the last one taking place on July 4, 1864 near Chorzenice.

In 1846 the Warsaw-Vienna Railway line was opened, linking the city with the rest of Europe. After 1870 iron ore started to be developed in the area, which gave a boost to the local industry. Among the most notable investments of the epoch was the Huta Częstochowa steel mill built by Bernard Hantke, as well as several weaveries and paper factories. Up to the Second World War, like many other cities in Europe, Częstochowa had a significant Jewish population: according to Russian census of 1897, out of the total population of 45,130, Jews constituted 12,000 (so around 26% percent).^[4] An anti-Semitic pogrom occurred in 1902, Częstochowa pogrom (1902).^[5] A mob attacked the Jewish shops, killing fourteen Jews and one gendarme.^[6]

Częstochowa entered the 20th century as one of leading industrial centers of Russian Poland (together with Warsaw, Łódź, and Zagłębie Dąbrowskie). The city was conveniently located on the Warta and other smaller rivers (Kucelinka, Stradomka, Konopka). Real estate and land prices were low, compared to Łódź, and the existence of the monastery brought numerous pilgrims, who also were customers of local businesses. In 1904, Częstochowa had 678 smaller workshops, which employed 2,000 workers. In 1902, rail connection to the Prussian border crossing at Herby Stare was opened, and in 1911, the line to Kielce was completed. The Revolution in the Kingdom of Poland (1905–1907) began in Częstochowa as early as May 1904, when first patriotic rallies took place. On December 25, 1904, a man named Wincenty Makowski tried to blow up a monument of Tsar Alexander II, which stood in front of the monastery. In February 1905, general strike action was declared in the city, with workers demanding pay rises. In June 1905 street clashes took place in Częstochowa, in which 20 people were killed by Russian forces. Further protests took place in 1909 and 1912.^[1]

World War One

In early August 1914, Częstochowa was abandoned by the Imperial Russian Army, and first units of the German Army entered the city on August 3. Four days later drunken German soldiers shot at each other; unknown number died. Residents of the city were accused of killing Germans, and as a punishment, a number of civilians were executed. During German occupation (1914 - 1918), Częstochowa was cut off from its traditional Russian markets, which resulted in widespread poverty and unemployment. Furthermore, German authorities closed down several plants, urging unemployed workers to migrate to Upper Silesia, where they replaced men drafted into the army. Altogether, some 20,000 left for Upper Silesia and other provinces of the German Empire. On February 2, 1915, Częstochowa was visited by Charles I of Austria. Four days later Emperor Wilhelm II came to the city, and on May 17, 1915, Częstochowa hosted King of Saxony Frederick Augustus III. Unlike the city of Częstochowa, the Jasna Góra Monastery was since April 26, 1915 under control of Austria-Hungary, after personal intervention of Emperor Franz Joseph I, who was a pious Roman Catholic. The monastery was manned by soldiers under Austrian Army Captain Josef Klettinger and remained under Austrian control until November 4, 1918. In October 1917, the City Council of Częstochowa demanded permission to destroy the monument to Tsar Alexander II, to which General Governor of Warsaw Hans Hartwig von Beseler agreed. Polish authorities established control over the entire city on November 11, 1918.

Second Polish Republic

On November 12, 1918, three companies of the freshly created Polish Army marched along the Holy Virgin Mary Avenue. In 1919 - 1921, Częstochowa was one of centers of support of Silesian Poles fighting in the Silesian Uprisings. On December 4, 1920, Symon Petliura together with app. 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers. Their arrival spurred widespread protests, as the city, in which food situation was desperate, was obliged to house and feed the Ukrainians.

In the Second Polish Republic, Częstochowa belonged to Kielce Voivodeship, where since 1928 it constituted City County of Częstochowa. In the 1920s, local industry still suffered from World War One losses, and cutting off from Russian markets. Unemployment remained high, and thousands of workers left for France in search of jobs. The Great Depression was particularly difficult, with strikes and street clashes with the police. In 1925, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Częstochowa was created. The city grew in size, when between 1928 and 1934, several local settlements and villages were annexed. In 1939, the population of Częstochowa was 138,000, which made it the 8th largest city of Poland. In 1938, Polish government announced plans to liquidate Kielce Voivodeship, and create Sandomierz Voivodeship, based on Central Industrial Area. According to these plans, Częstochowa was to be transferred either to Łódź Voivodeship, or Silesian Voivodeship, together with Zagłębie Dąbrowskie.

World War Two

In the Polish Defensive War of 1939, Częstochowa was defended by the 7th Infantry Division, part of northern wing of Kraków Army. After the Battle of Mokra and other battles, Polish forces withdrew, and the Wehrmacht entered the city on Sunday, September 3, 1939. Częstochowa was renamed into Tschenstochau, and incorporated into the General Government. Monday, September 4, 1939, became known as Bloody Monday,^[7] when 227 people (205 ethnic Poles and 22 Jews) were killed by the Germans (some estimates of victims put the number at more than 1,000; 990 ethnic Poles and 110 Jews), see also Częstochowa massacre. German occupiers from the very beginning initiated a plan of cultural and physical extermination of the Polish nation. Częstochowa was a city county (Stadkreis Tschenstochau), part of Radom District of the General Government. The city was located near the border with Upper Silesia Province, and in its area operated units of the Home Army and National Armed Forces (NSZ). On April 20, 1943, a NZS unit attacked local office of the Bank Emisyjny w Polsce. After the collapse of the Warsaw Uprising, Częstochowa briefly was the capital of the Polish Underground State. In the autumn 1944, Germans fortified the city, preparing for a lengthy defence. On January 16, 1945, however, the Wehrmacht retreated after one day of fighting.

On April 9, 1941, a ghetto for Jews was created.^[8] During World War II approximately 45,000 of Częstochowa's Jews, almost the entire Jewish community living here, were killed by the Germans. Life in Nazi-occupied Częstochowa is depicted in the Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel Maus, by Art Spiegelman, the son of a Jewish Częstochowa resident. Before the Holocaust, Częstochowa was considered a great Jewish center in Poland. By the end of WWII, the town was essentially Judenrein.

Modern day

Due to the communist idea of fast industrialisation, the inefficient steel mill was significantly expanded and named after Bolesław Bierut. This, combined with the growing tourist movement, led to yet another period of fast city growth, concluded in 1975 with the creation of a separate Częstochowa Voivodeship. In the immediate post-war period, Częstochowa belonged to Kielce Voivodeship (1945–1950), and then the city was transferred to Katowice Voivodeship. In the People's Republic of Poland, Częstochowa emerged not only as an industrial, but also academic center of the region. The city expanded, with first tram lines opened in 1959. On January 1, 1977, several villages and settlements were annexed by Częstochowa. As a result, the area of the city expanded from 90 to 160 square kilometres (35 to 62 sq mi).

In modern times, Pope John Paul II, a native son of Poland, prayed before the Madonna during his historic visit in 1979, several months after his election to the Chair of Peter. The Pope made another visit to Our Lady of Częstochowa in 1983 and again in 1987, 1991, 1997 and 1999.^[9] On August 15, 1991, John Paul II was named Honorary Citizen of Częstochowa. On May 26, 2006, the city was visited by Pope Benedict XVI.

Tourism

Currently the city is one of the main tourist attractions of the area and is sometimes called the little Nuremberg because of the number of souvenir shops.^[10] It attracts millions (4.5 mln - 2005) of tourists and pilgrims every year. The Black Madonna of Częstochowa, housed at the Jasna Góra Monastery, is a particularly popular attraction.^[9]

Throughout the centuries, many buildings have been erected, most of them now have status of tourist attractions and historical monuments since Częstochowa was established already in the Middle Ages. Among those attractions are old townhouses and the urban core of the city centre. The most popular with religious tourism as mentioned above is the Jasna Góra Monastery.

Prominent tourist destinations

• Aleje Najświętszej Maryi Panny (Avenues of the Holy Virgin Mary) is the main representative artery in the city centre. It was built in the beginning of 19th century, as a road linking New Częstochowa with Częstochowa, cities which were administratively merged in 1826. The most characteristic feature of the avenues is their layout, whereby the lanes are separated by the pedestrianised boulevard. During the pilgrimage period, the Avenues are used by pilgrims heading for Jasna Góra Monastery. The avenues are 1.5 km long and 44 m wide; primarily they perform trade, service, financial and cultural functions. The housing consists mostly of classicist, late-classicist houses, rarely eclectic. More modern buildings can also be noticed. The most interesting townhouses include:

• Franke's House – in the beginning it belonged to Adolf Franke, a Lutheran hailing from Greater Poland and also an owner of a spinning mill and textile mill. It was being built between 1901 and 1903. Between 1918 and 1939, Hotel 'Victoria' was located there. During World War II, it lay on the border of the Jewish ghetto, which made it the key point for those wanting to escape. After the dismantling of the ghetto, the Franke's House housed German hospital and army hotel, and after the war it was the seat of the High School of Arts and a bursary. Eclectic with prevailing neo-renaissance features.

• Zapalkiewicz's House is classicist townhouse, built in 1871. It was the seat of a theatre, which was functioning until 1908. Later, until 1923, there was a cinema "Paryskie" and subsequently a number of financial institution have had their branches in the building.
• Mercantile Townhouse - eclectic townhouse, was being built between 1894 and 1907. At the beginning business and economics courses were taking place there. Before the World War 2, it was the seat of Warsaw Industrial Bank and Częstochowa Savings and Loans Bank.
• Kohn's House is a neo-classicist townhouse, built in 1865. Before the war, a number of enterprises were operating in the building, including Bankers, Jackowski's Restaurant and Cafe, and Bata's Shoe Shop and between 1909 and 1930 a cinema called "Odeon".
• Polish Bank's Townhouse is an art nouveau townhouse, built in 1904. In the beginning, it was the seat of a local branch of the Russian State Bank. In 1927, the building was taken over by the Polish Bank Inc. After World War II, it became the property of the Polish National Bank. In 1990, the building was sold to the ING Silesian Bank.
• Former Orthodox Vicarage - classicist townhouse, built in 1875, until 1918 it was the seat of a local Orthodox priest. In 1918, it was taken over by the local Catholic diocese. After the war, there was a local headquarters of Polish Army. Since 1970s it has been a property of the Częstochowa Regional Museum.
• Jasna Góra Parks are two city parks (Stanisław Staszic Park and 3 May Park) located in the city centre, on the slope of Jasna Góra Hill. The parks were established in 1843. The total area of both parks is 11.8 ha. The parks are a popular leisure place and a spot for those enjoying short walks. In 1909, the Great Exhibition of Agriculture and Industry took place in the park, it was attended by 660 exhibitors and 500,000 visitors. In Staszic Park, one can find an astronomical observatory, which was opened in 1909. The parks also accommodate the Iron Ore Museum.
• Ulica 7 Kamienic (7 Townhouses Street) is one of historical streets in Częstochowa. It is 600 metres long; the street was created in the first half of the 19th century. The name derives from the seven houses which had been built at the beginning.

• The Avenues
• 

  View on the Avenues

• 

  3rd Avenue during the night

• 

  Staszic Park

• 

  3 May Park

• 

  Sienkiewicz Avenue, separating both parks

Transport

Main road connections from Częstochowa include a connection with Warsaw (to the north-east) and Katowice (to the south) via the European route E75 (National Road A1). There are also three other national roads: A43 to Wieluń, A46 to Opole and A91 to Piotrków Trybunalski. Furthermore, Częstochowa is a major railroad hub, located at the intersection of two important lines - west-east (from Lubliniec to Kielce) and north-south (from Warsaw to Katowice). Also, an additional northbound line stems from Częstochowa, which goes to Chorzew Siemkowice, where it joins the Polish Coal Trunk-Line. There are six railway stations in the city, the biggest ones being Częstochowa Osobowa and Częstochowa Stradom.

Culture

Museums

In Częstochowa on top of the Jasna Góra Monastery serving the museum and exhibition functions, other similar institutions include:

• Częstochowa Regional Museum, the oldest museum in Częstochowa. The seat of the museum is in the building of a former town hall. The Częstochowa Regional Museum consists of a number of venues in Częstochowa and its surroundings.

• Town Hall, the most presentable Museum building in Częstochowa. It was built in 1828, because of administrative needs arising from the expansion and merger of two towns: Old Częstochowa and New Częstochowa. It has been the seat of Częstochowa Regional Museum since 1967. There is a permanent historical exhibition - 'History of the City of Częstochowa - Stage 1". It illustrates the development of the city - from its beginnings to the 17th century. The 'Gallery of Prominent Citizens of Częstochowa' reminds about individuals important for the local community. In the gallery 'Attic', occasionally temporary exhibitions are presented.^[11]

• House of Poetry - Halina Poświatowska Museum, located on Jasnogórska Street 23. After the World War 2, Halina Poświatowska and her family lived there. It has been opened since 2006. As a part of the permanent exhibition, the visitors can see documents, memorabilia, photographs and scripts of her poems. Sometimes, in the museum poetry evenings are organised.^[12]

• Gallery of 19th and 20th Century Sculpture and Painting, located on Katedralna Street inside a two-storey terrace house from the beginning of the 20th century. There are three exhibitions: Art of Young Poland, Polish Avant-garde and Modern Art, Częstochowa's Art of 19th century and first half of 20th century.

• Archaeological Reserve of Lusatian Culture, located in Raków neighborhood on Łukasińskiego Street. This 2500 years old burial ground was discovered in 1955 during construction works of Częstochowa's tram line. It is a permanently maintained burial ground from the early stages of the Iron Age (750–550 years BC). Tourists have been able to visit the site since 1965. Around the burial ground, there are showcases about the Lusatian culture. More information on the Reserve's website: Archaelogical Reserve of Lusatian Culture.

• Museum of Iron Ore Mining, established in 1976 in underground corridors resembling mine corridors. The Museum recreated mine workings and is equipped with mining equipment from the closed down mine "Szczekaczka".Website of the museum

• Prominent museums
• 

  Town Hall and Częstochowa Regional Museum

• 

  Halina Poświatowska Museum

• 

  Archaeological Reserve in Częstochowa

• 

  Iron Ore Mining Museum

• 

  Museum of Match Production

Other museums and galleries

• City Gallery of Art, established in 1977.Promotes and presents modern art. Zdzisław Beksiński Museum forms part of the City Gallery of Art. It also organises cyclical cultural events such as IV Triennale of Art 'Sacrum', Jurajska Autumn, City Setting. Website

• Museum of Match Production, located inside the building of former match factory on Ogrodowa Street. The visitors can see the historic machine park from the late 19th century and retrace the match-making process - from barking through making 'sticks' to packing the matches. In the museum, there are also documents relating to the march-making industry and an exhibition called 'Sculptures from a single match'. In other hall, one can see phillumenistic exhibition, where matchbox labels from various periods are exposed. Museum website

• Museum of Railway History, where souvenirs, railway equipment and railway elements are gathered. Museum is located on the first floor of Częstochowa Stradom railway station. It was established in 2001. Two historical steam engines are under the care of the museum.

• Museum of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Częstochowa. The museum is located in the building of the Theological College of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cżęstochowa on Św. Barbary Street. It was established in 1997. Among exhibits are sculptures (including Mary the Virgin's sculpture from 1430, sculpture of St Martin from 1500) and pictures showing scenes from the life of Jesus Christ and Mary the Mother of God and saints. Additionally, there are commemoration numismatics and medals.

• Tomasz Sętowski's Museum of Immagination^[13]

• Museum of Coins and Medals commemorating John Paul II ^[14]

• Gallery 'Konduktorownia' ^[15]

Music

The Bronisław Huberman Philharmonic of Częstochowa is located in the city centre on Wilson Street, in the building erected between 1955 and 1965 on foundations of New Synagogue, which had been burnt down on 25 December 1939. The Philharmonic has at its disposal two concert halls and one rehearsal hall. The large concert hall can accommodate 825 people, whilst the small hall has 156 seats.

The concert hall of the Philharmonic of Częstochowa is a place where concerts of symphonic orchestra take place. The building itself is younger than the history of symphonic concerts in Częstochowa, as the first concert took place in March 1945. The mixed choir has been functioning since the Philharmonic was set up. The choir was professionalized in September 2012 and it was named The Częstochowa Philharmonic Choir "Collegium Cantorum".^[16]

The Philharmonic is also a co-organiser and a co-performer of operas, operettas and ballets. It is also a place where various exhibitions take place. The Philharmonic annually organises Bronisław Huberman International Violin Festival, Reszek Vocal Competition, Festival of Traditional Jazz "Hot Jazz Spring". The Philharmonic also engages in organising the "Night of Culture", the International Festival of Sacral Music "Gaude Mater" and the Bach Family Music Festival.

Music education is also an important part of the Philharmonic's activity. Its educational functions are carried out through series of concerts such as "Music for children", "FEEL harmony - feel the climate!" and "Sunday Mornings with Philharmonic". In 2010, the building of The Philharmonic of Cżęstochowa was refurbished through the financial support from the European Fund of Regional Development.^[17]

In Częstochowa, there are many functioning female, male and mixed choirs. The oldest is the Male Choir "Pochodnia" (Torch). Others include the Academic Choir of the Częstochowa University of Technology, the Jasna Góra Vocal Ensemble "Camerata" and the Archcathedral Choir of the Holy Family "Basilica Cantans".

Theatre

Adam Mickiewicz Theatre is located on Kiliński Street in the city centre. The building was being erected between 1928 and 1931. Between 1979 and 1984 it was refurbished. The theatre has three halls: Big, Small, Histrion and Marek Perepeczko Foyer. The Theatre organises "Festival of Important Plays - Through Touch", "Festival of High School Theatres" and "Children's Land of Sensitivity". It also takes part in annually organised "Night of Culture".^[18]

Festivals

The Centre for the Promotion of Culture 'Gaude Mater' is a cultural institution established in 1991. It is the organiser of various cultural events in Częstochowa, such as:

• International Festival of Sacral Music 'Gaude Mater'. It has been organised since 1991 and it takes place each year in the beginning of May.It is organised under the auspices of The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and the Polish Episcopal Conference. The main aim of the festival is to bring various cultures closer through presenting music typical of different religions. It also seeks to present contemporary Polish music and to promote young composers through "Musica Sacra" - The International Competition for Young Composers. The Gaude Mater festival also addresses problematic aspects of sacrum in music during various seminars organised during the Festival.^[19]
• The Night of Culture, the annual cultural event organised in Częstochowa. For a single fare, one can attend plays, performances, concerts and exhibitions specially prepared for that night.
• Days of Cżęstochowa
• Days of European Folk Culture
• Days of Christian Culture
• Low-key Jazz
• Kalina Jędrusik Festival
• Worldwide Congress of Częstochowians
• The Częstochowa Song and Dance Ensemble operates under the auspices of Gaude Mater.

Music Festivals

• The International Festival of Sacral Music "Gaude Mater"^[20]
• The International Festival of Traditional Jazz "Hot Jazz Spring Częstochowa"^[21]
• Częstochowa Festival of Alternative Culture "Frytka-OFF" ^[22]
• ReaggeON Częstochowa ^[23]
• Aleje tu się dzieje (Avenues - Something's going on here)^[24]

Cinemas

In Częstochowa, there are three cinemas, two of them are part of chain of cinemas Cinema City Poland: Cinema City "Wolność" (Freedom), which has the capacity of 1766 seats and Cinema City Galeria Jurajska, opened in 2009.^[25] There is also an independent cinema - Ośrodek Kultury Filmowej (Centre of Cinematography^[26]), established in 1991.

Healthcare

• Public hospitals
• 

  Regional Specialist Hospital - Parkitka, Nowobialska Street

• 

  City Polyclinical Hospital - Mirowska Street

• 

  Regional Specialist Hospital - PCK Street

• 

  City Polyclinical Hospital - Mickiewicz Street

• Regional Specialist Hospital (Nowobialska Street and PCK Street)
• City Polyclinical Hospital ( Bona Street, Mickiewicz Street and Mirowska Street)
• Weigel Hospital in Blachownia
• Metallurgic Hospital in Częstochowa

Education

Some of the tertiary educational institutions in Częstochowa include:

• Częstochowa University of Technology ^[27]
• Jan Długosz University (previously Wyższa Szkoła Pedagogiczna) ^[28]
• Polonia University (previously Wyższa Szkoła Języków Obcych i Ekonomii) ^[29]
• Wyższa Szkoła Hotelarstwa i Turystyki (School of Graduate Studies in Hospitality Management and Tourism)^[30]
• Wyższa Szkoła Lingwistyczna (College of Foreign Language Studies) ^[31]
• Wyższa Szkoła Zarządzania (College of Management)^[32]
• Centrum Języków Europejskich - Nauczycielskie Kolegium Języków Obcych ( Center of European Languages - Teacher's College of Foreign Languages)^[33]
• Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne Archidiecezji Częstochowskiej (Theological College of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Częstochowa)^[34]
• Centralna Szkoła Państwowej Straży Pożarnej w Częstochowie (The Central School of the State Fire Services in Częstochowa) ^[35]

Sports

The most popular sports in Częstochowa are speedway, volleyball and football. The following teams represent Częstochowa on national level:

Speedway

• CKM Włókniarz Częstochowa – speedway team from Częstochowa, established in 1946 3rd place in season 2005, 2nd place in season 2006 first place in season 2003, 3rd place in 2009. Włókniarz competes in Polish Speedway Ekstraliga. They finished last season on 4th place.

Volleyball

• AZS Częstochowa – men's volleyball team playing in Polish Volleyball League (Polska Liga Siatkówki, PLS), 6 times Polish champion, 6 times 2nd place in Polish championship, 4 times 3rd place in Polish championship, twice Polish Cup winner, winner of the CEV Challenge Cup 2011/2012, 11th place in season 2013/2014
• Exact Systems Norwid Częstochowa – men's volleyball team playing in PZPS Druga Liga (3rd level in the Polish volleyball league system)
• SPS Politechnika Częstochowska – female volleyball team playing in III Liga Kobiet (4th level in the Polish female volleyball league system)
• KS Częstochowianka – female volleyball team playing in IV Liga Kobiet (5th level in the Polish female volleyball league system)

Football

• Raków Częstochowa – Częstochowa's greatest football team, plays in the II liga (Poland) (3rd level of the Polish football league system). Runners-up of the Polish cup in 1966–67. As youngsters, both Jerzy Brzęczek and Jakub Błaszczykowski played for Raków, as well as Jacek Krzynówek. The club was established in 1921. They finished season 2013/2014 on 10th place.
• Skra Częstochowa – Częstochowa's second best football team, plays in the III Liga Opole-Silesia Division (4th level of the Polish football league system. The club was established in 1926. They finished season 2013/2014 on 2nd place.
• Victoria Częstochowa – team playing in Liga Okręgowa – Częstochowa Regional Division (6th level of the Polish football league system). The club was established in 1922.
• Gol Częstochowa – women's football team playing in I Liga Kobiet (2nd level of the Polish female football league system).

Other teams

• Orzeł Kiedrzyn – Liga Okręgowa Częstochowa Regional Division (6th level of the Polish football league system), established in 1950.
• KS Stradom Częstochowa – Klasa Okręgowa - Częstochowa Regional Division (6th level of the Polish football league system), established in 1934.
• Płomień Kuźnica Marianowa – Liga Okręgowa Częstochowa Regional Division (6th level of the Polish football league system),established in 1982.
• KU AZS Częstochowa – Częstochowa's basketball team, plays in Druga Liga PzKosz (4th level of the Polish basketball league system)
• Rugby Club Częstochowa – Częstochowa's rugby team, plays in Polish 3rd League rugby XV and in 7's League, established in 2005
• Saints Częstochowa – American Football team playing in PLFA II. The club was established in 2010.
• Defenders Częstochowa - Baseball team playing in Polish Baseball 2nd League. The club was established in 2013.
• Table Tennis – AJD Print Cycero Rolnik AZS Częstochowa, AZS AJD Mustang Częstochowa
• Tennis – CzKT Victoria
• Badminton – Kolejarz Częstochowa
• Cycle Speedway – Lwy Częstochowa

Administration

Częstochowa is a city with powiat rights. Residents of Częstochowa elect 28 city councilors. The executive branch of local government is a city mayor. The city hall is located in Śląska Street 11/13.

The city is divided into 20 neighborhoods. The residents of each neighborhood elect Neighborhood Council members.

The neighborhoods of Częstochowa include: Błeszno, Częstochówka-Parkitka, Dźbów, Gnaszyn-Kawodrza, Grabówka, Kiedrzyn, Lisiniec, Mirów, Ostatni Grosz, Podjasnogórska, Północ, Raków, Stare Miasto, Stradom, Śródmieście, Trzech Wieszczów, Tysiąclecie, Wrzosowiak, Wyczerpy-Aniołów, and Zawodzie-Dąbie.

Politics

Local government

The current Mayor of Częstochowa is Krzyszof Matyjaszczyk, a member of Democratic Left Alliance.

In the Częstochowa 2014 mayoral elections the results were as follows. In the first round: Krzysztof Matyjaszczyk (Democratic Left Alliance) 42.16%, Artur Warzocha (Law and Justice) 27.89%, Marcin Maranda (Residents of Częstochowa) 15.62%, Andrzej Szewiński (Civic Platform) 10.26%, Sławomir Kokot (Congress of the New Right) 2.33%, Grzegorz Boski (Polish People's Party) 0.95%, Armand Ryfiński (Free City Częstochowa) 0.79%. In the second round: Krzysztof Matyjaszczyk received 56.72%, and Artur Warzocha 43.28% of votes.

In the Częstochowa City Council Elections 2014 the results were as follows. Seats in the city council: Law and Justice (29.76%) 10, Left Democratic Alliance (26.59%) 9, Civic Platform (17.65%) 5, Residents of Częstochowa (13.69%) 4, Polish People's Party (6.48%) 0, Congress of the New Right (3.58%) 0, Free Częstochowa (2.25%) 0.

Częstochowa constituency

The Members of the lower house of Parliament (Sejm) elected by the Częstochowa constituency include:

• Szymon Giżyński (Law and Justice)
• Jadwiga Wiśniewska (Law and Justice)
• Halina Rozpondek (Civic Platform)
• Izabela Leszczyna (Civic Platform)
• Marek Balt (Democratic Left Alliance)
• Grzegorz Sztolcman (Civic Platform)
• Artur Bramora (elected from Your Movement's electoral list, now member of Polish People's Party)

The Members of the higher house of Parliament (Senate) elected by Częstochowa constituencies include:

• Andrzej Szewiński (Civic Platform) - City of Częstochowa constituency (Constituency no. 69)
• Jarosław Lasecki (Civic Platform) - Częstochowa County, Lubliniec County, Myszków County, Kłobuck county constituency (Constituency no. 68)

Media

Daily newspapers

• Gazeta Wyborcza – since 1991 it has been published with a local supplement
• Dziennik Zachodni – published with local supplement
• Życie Częstochowy i Powiatu (Life of Częstochowa and Region) – it has been published since 1947

Weeklies

• Gazeta Częstochowska (Częstochowa's newspaper) – since 1956
• Częstochowski Tygodnik Regionalny - 7 dni (Częstochowa's Regional Weekly - 7 days) – since 2004
• Niedziela (Sunday) – nationwide Catholic weekly newspaper that has been published since 1926
• Poniedziałek (Monday)
• Tydzień w Czestochowie.pl

There are also published cultural quarterlies such as: Aleje 3, Bulion; a monthly Puls Regionu and an annual – Ziemia Częstochowska

Radio

• Radio Jasna Góra – Catholic radio station broadcast from the Jasna Góra Monastery
• Radio Fiat – Catholic radio station belonging to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Częstochowa
• Radio Jura – local radio station
• Polskie Radio Katowice
• Radio Złote Przeboje
• RMF Classic
• RMF Maxxx

Television

• TV Orion – residents of Tysiąclecie and Północ Districts have access to this TV channel

Religion and places of worship

• Prominent churches
• 

  St Barbara and St Andrew Church

• 

  Dying Lord Jesus Christ Church

• 

  St Sigismund Church

• 

  St Roch and Sebastian Church

• 

  The Holiest Name of Mary Church

• 

  St Jacob's Church

• Seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Częstochowa
• Holy Family Archdiocese Cathedral in Częstochowa
• Jasna Góra Monastery
• 50 Parish Churches^[36]

Polish Catholic Church

• Mary The Queen of Apostles Cathedral

Polish Orthodox Church

• Orthodox Church of the Icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa

Old Catholic Church in Poland

• Saint Padre Pio Chapel

Lutherans

• Parish Church of the Lord's Ascension

Baptist Union of Poland

• Baptist Congregation "Well"

Word of Faith

• Word of Faith Congregation

Plymouth Brethren

• Częstochowa Congragtion

Pentecostal Church in Poland

• "Hosanna" Congregation

Seventh-day Adventist Church

• Częstochowa Congregation

Jehovah Witnesses

• 7 Kingdom Halls^[37]

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Częstochowa is twinned with:^[38]

Altötting, Germany[38] Bethlehem, Palestinian Authority[39][40] Fátima, Portugal[38] Loreto, Italy[38] Lourdes, France[38] Pforzheim, Germany

Nazareth, Israel Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico Rēzekne, Latvia South Bend, Indiana, United States Šiauliai, Lithuania

Gallery

• 

  Częstochowa Cathedral

• 

  Jasna Góra

• 

  Częstochowa Jasna Góra

• 

  Czestochowa

• 

  Monument of Jesus Christ

• 

  The Częstochowa Bell

• 

  Henryk Sienkiewicz Avenue in Częstochowa

• 

  Jasna Góra

• 

  Jasna Góra

• 

  Jasna Góra Gate

• 

  Pope John Paul II monument

• 

  Renaissance Architecture

• 

  Sundial Clock Jasna Góra

• 

  Wieczernik

• 

  Monument of Emilia and Karol Wojtyła (senior), parents of Karol Wojtyła - PopeJohn Paul II

• 

  Library

• 

  Sundial in Stanisław Staszic Park

• 

  Sundial in Stanisław Staszic Park upper view

• 

  Monument of Jozef Piłsudski

• 

  Jasna Góra Cardinal Wyszynski monument

Notable people

• Pinchas Menachem Justman, Jewish Hasidic Rabbi
• Bronisław Huberman, classical violinist and founder of the Palestine Philharmonic Orchestra, now Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
• Jerzy Kulej
• Jakub Błaszczykowski
• Janusz Sybis
• Abraham Bomba
• Marion Kozak, mother of British politicians David Miliband and Ed Miliband
• Agnes Milowka, underwater photographer and cave explorer in Australia and Florida, was born here
• Alexander Imich
• Halina Poświatowska
• Kalina Jędrusik
• Jerzy Duda-Gracz
• Janusz Iwański
• Zygmunt Staszczyk

Notes

References

• Duricy, Michael P. "Black Madonnas: Our Lady of Częstochowa". © 2008 The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio. Retrieved 2008-10-22. 
• "Jasna Góra". © 1998-2008 Copyright by Klasztor OO. Paulinów Jasna Góra - Częstochowa. Retrieved 2008-10-22. 
• "Częstochowa Official Website". © Urząd Miasta Częstochowy, Śląska 11/13, 42-217 Częstochowa. Retrieved 2008-10-22. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Częstochowa.

• Official website
• The Black Madonna Monastery
• Częstochowa Yizkor Book – remembering Częstochowa Jews murdered by Nazis
• Jewish Community in Częstochowa on Virtual Shtetl
• 8 Częstochowa Yizkor Books at NYPL

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Counties of Silesian Voivodeship City counties Katowice (capital) Bielsko-Biała Bytom Chorzów Częstochowa Dąbrowa Górnicza Gliwice Jastrzębie-Zdrój Jaworzno Mysłowice Piekary Śląskie Ruda Śląska Rybnik Siemianowice Śląskie Sosnowiec Świętochłowice Tychy Zabrze Żory Land counties Będzin Bielsko Bieruń-Lędziny Cieszyn Częstochowa Gliwice Kłobuck Lubliniec Mikołów Myszków Pszczyna Racibórz Rybnik Tarnowskie Góry Wodzisław Zawiercie Żywiec

Częstochowa County Urban-rural gminas Gmina Blachownia Gmina Koniecpol Rural gminas Gmina Dąbrowa Zielona Gmina Janów Gmina Kamienica Polska Gmina Kłomnice Gmina Konopiska Gmina Kruszyna Gmina Lelów Gmina Mstów Gmina Mykanów Gmina Olsztyn Gmina Poczesna Gmina Przyrów Gmina Rędziny Gmina Starcza Seat (not part of the county) Częstochowa

Coordinates: 50°48′N 19°07′E / 50.800°N 19.117°E / 50.800; 19.117