Website of Świętochłowice

Location: Silesian Voivodeship                                                                                
Population: 54,000
Mayor: Daniel Beger
Distance from Nový Jičín: 126 km
Twinning: twinning agreement signed on 14 November 1994
Industry: mining, metallurgy, engineering
Twin towns: Nový Jičín (Czech Republic), Heiloo (Netherlands), Laa an der Thaya (Austria), Tiszaujvaros (Hungary), Rimavská Sobota (Slovakia)

Świętochłowice lies at the heart of the Upper Silesian conurbation, just 7 kilometres from Katowice, the capital of the Silesian Voivodeship. The River Rawa flows through the town.

The first mention of the town dates back to 1313. In its early days, Świętochłowice consisted of two separate settlements: Małe Świętochłowice (also known as Świętochłówki) and Świętochłowice, referred to as ‘Wielkie’ (the ‘Great’). The fact that the settlement had two parts is confirmed by a document dated 4 May 1332, which refers to ‘the twin Świętochłowices’.

In the first half of the 19th century, the character of the town changed radically. This period saw rapid industrial development – in mining and metallurgy. The rural settlement was transformed into an industrial town. Another settlement called Lipiny was established, which later became part of Świętochłowice. The town currently comprises five districts, originally separate settlements: Centrum, Chropaczów, Lipiny, Piaśniki and Zgoda.

The history of the Silesian Uprisings is showcased in multimedia exhibitions spread across four floors of the Silesian Museum of the Uprisings on Wiktora Polaka Street. The building formerly housed the police headquarters. The ‘Skalka’ Sports and Leisure Centre offers a wide range of sporting and leisure activities. Covering an area of 32 hectares, it features a football pitch, tennis courts, canoeing facilities, a beach volleyball court, cycle paths and a modern children’s playground.

In recent years, the town’s economy has been dominated by heavy industry, but Świętochłowice is gradually becoming a place with growing economic potential, attractive to investors. The town’s promotional slogan is: ‘Świętochłowice. Closer than you think’. The town is environmentally friendly, as evidenced by its numerous green initiatives.

Key events:

Wall Street Festival – a multi-genre street festival (May)
Święto Miasta – similar to the Nový Jičín town festival (June)

Świętochłowice Non-Governmental Organizations Picnic – a fun afternoon for the whole family (June)

Points of interest:

Katowice International Airport is located just 35 kilometers north of the city.
Two other international airports—Leoš Janáček Airport Ostrava and the airport in Kraków—are within a 100-kilometer radius.
Notable figures born here include Jerzy Stroba, the Archbishop of Poznań, and the footballer and Olympian Teodor Peterek.

Basic phrases:

Hello/Goodbye - Dzień dobry/do widzenia
Where is the hotel/restaurant/train station, please? - Przepraszam Pana/Panią bardzo, gdzie znajduje się hotel/restauracja/dworzec?
I would like to order... - Chętnie bym zamówił...
Thank you/You're welcome - Dziękuję/Nie ma za co
Do you speak English/German/French? - Czy mówi Pan/Pani po angielsku/niemiecku/francusku?
I am from the Czech Republic/Nový Jičín - Jestem z Republiki Czeskiej/z Nowego Jiczyna