CZESTOCHOWA HISTORY

Czestochowa is an exceptional city. Situated on the Krakow-Czestochowa Upland on the Warta
River, it is also known as the spiritual capital of Poland, and consequently inextricably linked with
pilgrimages. Thousands of pilgrims come to worship the Black Madonna of Jasna Gora, to give their thanks
and to pray, in both happy and sad times. Czestochowa has thus become one of the major destinations
for pilgrims throughout the whole world. It is here that the cult of Mary, cultural life and spirituality
intermingle, creating an unparalleled atmosphere.
The main object of a visit to Czestochowa is the Monastery of the Pauline Fathers at Jasna Góra,
with its miraculous painting of the Virgin Mary. However, as Czestochowa is also an important centre
of culture and academia, then we invite pilgrims and tourists alike to stay in our city longer, to take the time
to visit the monuments, museums and art galleries, or to take in a concert.
The local region is also welcoming, our natural assets including large forest areas, nature
reserves, rivers and brooks, as well as numerous monuments that bear witness to the rich historical
heritage. Anyone wishing to stay and visit the Czestochowa region will surely find many interesting
landmarks and some great opportunities for recreation.
Lovers of history can enjoy the churches, monasteries, palaces, manors, wooden architecture, ruins
of medieval castles and the memories of battles fought long ago. Beautiful fauna and flora are only waiting
for you to discover them, and if you prefer more active recreations then there are marked paths and trails
for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, as well as rock climbing and speleological centres.


The landscape is dominated by Jasna Gora -293 m above sea level The city has a rich history that has had a significant impact on the history of the nation and the Polish state. Contemporary Czestochowa was formed from the merger of two towns: Old Czestochowa, located on the Warta River and Czestochowa, situated near the Jasna Gora Monastery. The first mention of the village appeared in 1220 Częstochowa name probably comes from the name of the founder of the village on the left bank of the Warta-Częstocha.
Old Częstochowa received city rights around 1377. The smaller settlement - Częstochowka was located on a hillside overlooking the surroundings hills, on top of which stood a small wooden church. Elevation is a virtue that reconciles wzgorzajurajskie built of white limestone, called Jasna Gora. Formal combination of Old and New Czestochowa (Częstochowka in 1717 and received city rights was called New Częstochowa) took place in 1826. The two cities merged new thoroughfare - Avenue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, along which formed a new, functioning to this day, the city center. His symbol became the new Town Hall Square, standing on the present Bieganski,
As early as the fourteenth century Czestochowa was a famous center of the iron, but the city's history is closely linked with the history of the Monastery of Jasna Gora. It was founded by Prince Ladislaus of Opole for imported from Hungary, the Pauline Order. Foundation Gala was held in 1382. Two years later, Prince Ladislaus gave the monastery imported from Russia. Surrounded by then worship and reverence, miraculous image of the Madonna and Child. Bringing the image meant that within ten years from the date of foundation, steel Jasna Gora is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage. In the twentieth century image of Our Lady of Jasna Gora called the image of the Black Madonna.
According to tradition the image of the Mother of God was painted by Saint. Luke the Evangelist on the table, at which the Holy Family prayed and ate meals. Studies have shown, however, that the image was originally a Byzantine icon, dating from the VI-VIII century that the Rus were brought to Jasna Gora. Miraculous Image of Our Lady was crowned with the Papal Tiara 1717 r "and in 2005 Pope John Paul II. just before his death, on April 1, blessed and sanctified the gold crowns that were designed for Our Lady of Jasna Gora and the image of Our Lady of the Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa in the basement of St. Peter's Basilica. Peter. This Holy Father John Paul II - The Great Pilgrim Jasna Gora - expressed by Sanctuary Jasnogorskimjako "... beating heart of the Nation".
In 1655 the siege of Jasna Gora durable Swedish troops are described, inter alia, the "Deluge" by Henryk Sienkiewicz. W1656, after the victory over the Swedes, King Jan Kazimierz solemn vow in the Department of the Lviv announced the Blessed Virgin Mary Queen of Polish.
Pauline Monastery of Jasna Gora is a unique historic building. This rich treasury of votive offerings - memorabilia related to the history of the nation, the state and the Polish culture. Monuments stored in the church and monastery can be seen among others in the Treasury, at the Museum of the 600th anniversary of Jasna Gora and the Bastion St. Rocha. Documents and memorabilia of Polish history is also collected in the Library of Czestochowa.