First written references to Częstochowa date back to the 13th century.
The small settlement, situated on the Warta river, where major trade
routes crossed, later grew into a town with numerous economic privileges,
which promoted the development of trade and crafts. Thanks to the
foundation of the Paulite Fathers' Monastery at Jasna Góra with the
much revered Picture of Black Madonna the fame of this place was spreading
rapidly since the 15th century and great numbers of pilgrims from
different regions of contemporary Poland and also from Bohemia, Moravia
and Hungary started to flock to Częstochowa. Yet various disasters
- numerous wars, fires, plunder - thwarted the development of the
town for almost two centuries. It was not before the 19th and 20th
centuries that the economic conditions in Częstochowa improved again
which brought about the unparalleled so far development of industry
and business relations. Today Częstochowa is the City of transforming
economy, with the dynamically developing service, small manufacture
and crafts sectors and also a thriving academic centre with numerous
institutions of higher education.
The Chapel with the painting is much smaller than the adjacent Basilica
Minor but it is, of course, the sanctuary's core. It started as a
tiny wooden shrine in 14th c. and was then rebuilt and expanded several
times across the ages till it gained its present Baroque look. It's
always been famous for the many miracles received through the intercession
of the Virgin Mary. The chapel's walls are literally lined with votive
offerings (crutches, glasses, jewellery, etc) and there are even more
in the sanctuary's Treasury. And the icon is set in an altar of ebony
and silver that was itself a votive offering from one of our Grand
Chancellors in 1650. The chapel is also the resting place for the
cinerary urn of father Kordecki who lead the sanctuary's defence against
the Swedish siege in 1655.
Tourist
guide - Częstochowa (.pdf)
Tourist
guide - Jura (.pdf)
English,
Czestochowa - City Map, Museums, Galleries (.pdf)
English,
Czestochowa - Monuments & Cultural Events (.pdf)
Investment
Offer (.pdf)
Jasna
Góra - home page (English)
STUDIES
IN ENGLISH AT TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF CZĘSTOCHOWA
Information:
Deutsch
Herzlich
willkommen! - Tschenstochau (.pdf)
Herzlich willkommen!
- Jura (.pdf)
Tschenstochau - Stadtplan,
Museum, Galerien (.pdf)
Tschenstochau - Denkmäler,
Kulturelle Veranstaltungen (.pdf)
English
Tourist guide
- Częstochowa (.pdf)
Tourist guide -
Jura (.pdf)
Czestochowa - City Map,
Museums, Galleries (.pdf)
Czestochowa - Monuments
& Cultural Events (.pdf)
Częstochowa
(.pdf)
Français
Guide touristique - Czestochowa
Plan (.pdf)
Polski
Informator
turystyczny - Częstochowa (.pdf)
Informator turystyczny
- Jura (.pdf)
Częstochowa - Plan
centrum, muzea, galerie (.pdf)
Częstochowa -
Zabytki i wydarzenia kulturalne (.pdf)
Russkij:
Russkij - plan miasta
(.pdf)
Russkij - zabytki (.pdf)
Ľródło: UM Częstochowa
Czestochowa Travel information, Czestochowa Poland
Czestochowa - Silesian province, 260 000 inhabitants.
Czestochowa lies at the heart of southern Poland, among the picturesque
Jurassic rocks of Krakow-Czestochowa Upland, national parks and ruins
of medieval castles. But for the majority of Poles Czestochowa it
is above all Jasna Gora - the biggest Marian sanctuary in the country
and one of the greatest on earth. Everyday, crowds of pilgrims journey
here to see the phenomenal picture of Virgin Mary.
According to a legend the city has its name from its founder, whose
Slavonic name was Czestoch. The earliest records mentioning Czestochowa
date from the 13th century. It gained city charter in 1370, but its
real boom began with the coming of Pauline Order from Hungary in 1382
and with one miraculous picture...
Dubai hotels, attractions
szkolenia bhp
The Jasna Gora Monastery
In western part of the city, protruding up to almost 300 metres there
is a hill with an array of sacral and residential buildings, surrounded
by fortified banks and a park. This hill is called Jasna Gora, which
means a Bright Mountain. It is hard to believe that it is visited
by 5 millions people each year. Their goal is the Chapel of Holy Lady
of Bright Mountain (Kaplica Matki Bozej Jasnogorskiej) with its icon
of Virgin Mary called a Black Madonna.
The legend has it that this picture depicts the true face of Our
Lady painted by St. Luke the Evangelist on a board from the Holy Family's
kitchen table.
According to experts the picture is probably a Byzantine icon from
the end of 7th century, painted over in the 14th century by an anonymous
Italian painter. However it is still a mystery how the picture got
to Czestochowa. One of the oldest documents from Jasna Gora states
that the picture travelled from Jerusalem, via Constantinople, to
finally reach Czestochowa in 1384.
The picture's fame grew and more pilgrims came leaving precious gifts
in the sanctuary. However, it lured thieves too and during the Easter
of 1430 a band of Hussites invaded the chapel and slashed the face
of Virgin Mary with a sabre. The picture was repainted but the scars
on the face of Our Lady were left as a memento.
It spurred another pilgrimage boom and more attempts of robberies,
and the monastery had to be extended and it was eventually was turned
into a fortress surrounded by massive walls, bastions and a moat.
The fortress soon played an important role while withstanding large
Swedish sieges in 1655 These battles are commemorated by three cannons
named after the brave defenders: Augustyn Kordecki, Stefan Zamojski
and Piotr Czarnecki. These heroic victories were regarded as the miracle
of Black Madonna and Czestochowa's fame grew even more. It also made
the grateful Polish King Jan Kazimierz to crown Black Madonn Queen
and Patroness of Poland.
Besides the chapel worth seeing is also the Basilica (Bazylika).
Its beautiful Baroque interior is rich in paintings and stucco works.
The Treasury (Skarbiec), built in the 17th century offers valuable
exhibits presented by the faithful - from kings, princes, popes, bishops
and common country folk. Among these gifts there are many fine pieces
art: reliquaries, robes, jewellery, medals and drawings by famous
Polish painter Matejko. The oldest gifts come from the 15th century.
We recommend visiting also the Arsenal, Knights' Hall (Sala Rycerska)
and the 600th Anniversary Museum (Muzeum Szescsetlecia) full of interesting
objects, art and gifts, including Lech Walesa's Nobel Peace Prize.
To widen your horizons climb up the 519 steps of the tower (wieza).
From the heights of over 100 metres enjoy a magnificent view of the
monastery, city and the picturesque Czestochowa landscape.
The City
Check numerous shops, stalls and booths outside of the monastery
walls for more literature on the interesting history of the monastery.
There are shops offering paintings of saints, holy water in Maria-shaped
bottles to phosphorescing drawings of Jesus, soutanes and surplices.
A few decades ago, to tarnish the religious importance of Czestochowa,
communists converted the city into an industrial centre, which is
still easily noticeable although the city has changed since. The most
representative street is Aleja Najswietszej Marii Panny. Here are
some famous cafes tempting with doughnuts with rose fillings and apple
or cinnamon pies.
Around Czestochowa
- Romantic and dreamy ruins of the castle in Olsztyn are only 6 km
from Czestochowa. Do not miss.
- Trail of the Eagles' Nest - a famous tourist route from Czestochowa,
going via Olsztyn up to Cracow (Krakow) consisting of fascinating
chalkstone hills and peppered with many impressive castles.
Southern Poland has its Eagles' Nest Trail - the ruins of dozens
of defensive 14-15th-century castles, perched on the crests of limestone
hills in the Cracow and Czestochowa Jura. Some of them were erected
for King Casimir the Great, others belonged to the spiritual and temporal
lords of Poland. Today these spectacular ruins run in a great chain
across a picturesque landscape. The most impressive links in the chain
are the ruins of Bobolice, Mirów, Olsztyn, Tenczyn, and Ogrodzieniec
Castles. Ogrodzieniec is regarded as the most beautiful castle ruin
in Poland. The Cracow and Czestochowa Jura which is the natural setting
for the Eagles' Nests is a favourite with rock-climbers and excellent
terrain for cycling and riding.
Zamek w Olsztynie
koło Częstochowy - więcej informacji...
info: http://www.staypoland.com
Culture:
Częstochowa offers its visitors and inhabitants an original and varied
cultural programme. The City - Art Gallery, Museum, Theatre, Philharmonic
Hall and "Gaude Mater" Centre of Culture Promotion organise
many interesting cultural events.
The Bronisław Huberman International Violin Festival, "Gaude
Mater" International Festival of Sacred Music, "Sacrum"
Triennial Art Exhibition deserve special recommendation. In addition
to the local government's cultural institutions also many galleries,
clubs and cultural associations contribute to the enlivening and enriching
of the cultural life of the City.
Economy:
Today Częstochowa is going through a difficult period of the local
economy transformations and search for its place on the economic map
of our country. Over the last several years due to ownership transformations
of the public sector and formation of new private business the share
of the private sector in the local economy has been growing steadily
and its activities have had greater and greater effect on the overall
economic dynamics of the city. Small businesses engaged in trade,
services and small production prevail among all economic entities
having their registered seats in Częstochowa. The local government
has great hopes for the improvement of economic conditions in the
City through new domestic and foreign investments located in the Special
Economic Zone (currently ultramodern GUARDIAN Glass Works as well
as BERGER and TRW automotive industry factories are under construction).
Częstochowa ranks high
in officially published ratings of investor - friendly cities, attracting
entrepreneurs with favourable business climate, absorptive power of
the market and highly skilled labour.
History:
First written references to Częstochowa date back to the 13th century.
The small settlement, situated on the Warta river, where major trade
routes crossed, later grew into a town with numerous economic privileges,
which promoted the development of trade and crafts. Thanks to the
foundation of the Paulite Fathers' Monastery at Jasna Góra with the
much revered Picture of Black Madonna the fame of this place was spreading
rapidly since the 15th century and great numbers of pilgrims from
different regions of contemporary Poland and also from Bohemia, Moravia
and Hungary started to flock to Częstochowa. Yet various disasters
- numerous wars, fires, plunder - thwarted the development of the
town for almost two centuries. It was not before the 19th and 20th
centuries that the economic conditions in Częstochowa improved again
which brought about the unparalleled so far development of industry
and business relations. Today Częstochowa is the City of transforming
economy, with the dynamically developing service, small manufacture
and crafts sectors and also a thriving academic centre with numerous
institutions of higher education.
Pilgrims:
Częstochowa with
Jasna Góra Monastery is one of the major pilgrimage centres of the
Christian world. It is also the second biggest - after Lourdes - centre
of the Marian cult. Every year Częstochowa is visited by 3 - 4 million
pilgrims and tourists.
In 1996 five European towns, functioning as centres of Marian cult
i.e. Loreto, Lourdes, Altötting, Fatima and Częstochowa signed a co-operation
agreement. The main objective of this co-operation is to share experience
in the field of organisation of religion - motivated tourism and to
create conditions for wide promotion of these towns.
Prize:
In 1998 Częstochowa - as the first town in Central Europe - received
the Europe Prize - Prix de l’Europe - the highest award granted to
European local governments by the Council of Europe. Thus the continuity
of the local government’s efforts for the European integration, maintenance
and development of friendly relations with twin and partner towns
in Europe and sharing experience in the sphere of culture, education,
tourism and economy was acknowledged. Earlier Częstochowa was awarded
the Honorary Flag of Europe and the Council of Europe Honorary Plaque.
Currently the Mayor of Częstochowa performs the function of the Chairman
of the Association of Europe Prize Winning Towns. Under mutual co-operation
agreements Częstochowa maintains close relations with many towns,
including Loreto, Lourdes, South Bend (Indiana - USA), Fatima, Altötting,
Pforzheim, Graz.
informacje wg. UM Częstochowa
The Black Madonna of Częstochowa (Czarna Madonna
or Matka Boska Częstochowska in Polish) icon was, according to legend,
painted by St. Luke the Evangelist on a cypress table top from the
house of the Holy Family. One of the oldest documents from Jasna Góra
states that the picture travelled from Jerusalem, via Constantinople,
to finally reach Czętochowa in August 1382. The Black Madonna is credited
with miraculously saving the monastery of Jasna Góra (English: Bright
Hill) from a Swedish 17th century invasion, The Deluge, which actually
changed the course of the war. This event led King Jan Kazimierz to
crown Our Lady of Częstochowa (the Black Madonna) as Queen and Protector
of Poland in the cathedral of Lwów on April 1, 1656.
Częstochowa (cheN'st?kô'v?) , city (1993 est.
pop. 258,800), ¦l±skie prov., S Poland, on the Warta River. It is
an important railway and industrial center, known especially for its
iron and steel plant and iron-smelting works. Other industries include
iron-ore mining, food processing, sawmilling, and the manufacture
of chemicals and textiles. Iron ore is mined in the vicinity. Częstochowa
is a celebrated religious center, and a world-famous place of pilgrimage.
Its monastery stands on the Jasna Gora [mountain of light] and contains
an image of Mary known as the Black Madonna, supposedly painted by
St. Luke and brought to Częstochowa in the 14th cent. In 1655, when
Charles X of Sweden overran Poland, the prior and a handful of soldiers
defended the monastery and its relic for 40 days until the Swedes
abandoned the siege. Fired by what they thought to be a miracle, the
Polish people rose to successful resistance. The event figures prominently
in Henryk Sienkiewicz's novel The Deluge. The monastery was again
defended against the Swedes in 1702. Venerated as the Queen of Poland,
the image became the national symbol of Poland.
info: http://www.answers.com
Jasna Gora Sanctuary in Czestochowa
It is the holiest place of Poland and one of the world’s
most important destinations for pilgrims. The Jasna Gora (Bright Mount
in Polish) sanctuary in Czestochowa, industrial city of 300,000 a
ninety minutes’ drive northwest from Krakow, has been Central Europe’s
spiritual hub for six centuries and it shows. Every year several million
pilgrims-commoners as well as celebrities-come here to pray before
the miraculous picture of Our Lady of Czestochowa. The faithful has
believed for ages that St. Luke the Evangelist himself painted the
divine icon on a tabletop from the Holy Family’s house. Anyway, over
the last half-millennium great number of them have had their prayers
heard and, grateful, left innumerable votive offerings displayed in
the sanctuary.
Sights
Small 15th-century Gothic chapel with Our Lady of Czestochowa’s holy
picture is the heart of the sanctuary. It adjoins vast Baroque church
of 1695. The fine 105-m-tall tower crowned with viewing gallery dates
back to 1620. The adjacent mid-17th-century early-Baroque monastery
contains the Great Refectory of 1644, the Knight Hall of 1647, and
the 18th-century library with unmatched collection of old books. Fortifications
date from 1643 while majestic gates are a century younger.
The monastery’s treasure-house is a must by virtue of the artistic
and/or historical value of its collections. The arsenal and the museum
of the sanctuary’s 600th anniversary are also worthwhile.
With the average of 14,000 visitors a day the sanctuary seems often
crowded, yet the feast days of May 3, August 15 and September 8 gather
real multitudes from all over the world.
Our Lady of Czestochowa’s icon
Tradition has it that St. Luke the Evangelist painted two pictures
of the Virgin Mary on a tabletop once used by the Holy Family. One
icon eventually made to Italy’s Bologna. Emperor Constantine brought
the other from Jerusalem to Constantinople, and some 600 years later
it was awarded to Prince Lev of Rus for his military services. In
the 14th century a Polish prince, Wladislaw of Opole, found the icon
in the Belz castle while he was warring Tatars who had conquered neighboring
Rus, and he entrusted the holy image to the Pauline monks in Czestochowa.
So says the 1474 volume of Translatio Tabulae from the Jasna Gora
library. April 14, 1430, on the Easter, Bohemian robbers looted the
Jasna Gora monastery, slashed Our Lady’s cheek with swords, and-by
the account of the 1523 "Historia Pulchra"-left the holy
image on the floor, broken in three.
The Black Madonna of Czestochowa
Our Lady of Czestochowa is Poland's holiest icon.
Art historians believe Our Lady of Czestochowa was initially a Byzantine
icon of the Hodigitria type, dated from the 6th to 9th centuries.
During the 15th-centrury restoration in Krakow it was painted anew
for the restorers were not able to apply their tempera colors over
the original wax paint so they scraped it clean.
History in brief:
1220: the earliest mention of "Czestochowa" in writing.
1356: King Casimir the Great gave Czestochowa municipal autonomy.
1384: Prince Wladyslaw of Opole supplied the Jasna Gora monastery
he had founded with the miraculous picture of the Holy Virgin.
1404: King Wladyslaw Jagiello's pilgrimage to Jasna Gora.
1430: Bohemian robbers raided the monastery and smashed the Black
Madonna’s icon.
1655: despite a fierce and prolonged siege fortified Jasna Gora monastery
occurred the only stronghold in Poland Swedish invaders failed to
capture, which proved a turning point in the devastating war.
1717: coronation of Our Lady of Czestochowa’s picture.
1770-1772: Jasna Gora was a fortress of anti-Russian Bar Confederation
insurgents led by Kazimierz Pulaski, future American hero.
1846: opening of the Warsaw-Vienna railroad line through Czestochowa
enabled the city’s rapid industrialization.
1979: John Paul II visited Jasna Gora for the first time as the pope.
Old
Czestochowa
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