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 is situated 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.
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 Bavarian Succession.
Following the Chechoslovak invasion of Janury 1919 The city was divided in 1920 by the Conference of Ambassadors, a body formed by the Versailles Treaty. Its' suburb of Saska Kępa became what is now the town of Cesky Tesin in Czech Republic.
Currently Cieszyn is the site of the Summer Film Festival, one of the most influential film festivals in Poland.
Cieszyn is an important centre of electromechanical industry. It is also the site of a sweets factory (where the famous Prince Polo wafers are being made) and a brewery. The main source of income for most of the population is trade with nearby Czech Republic and transit through three nearby bridges at the Olza.
| History of Cieszyn and Těšín | Missing image Cieszyn_coa.png Coat of Arms |
|---|---|
| Cieszyn | Olza | Český Těšín | |
| Zaolzie | Duchy of Cieszyn | Silesia | Upper Silesia | Cieszyn Silesia | |