Częstochowa

Częstochowa
Jasna Góra Monastery Saint Sigismund church and Daszyńskiego Square City Hall Saint Mary Avenue Youth Culture Center
UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	42-200 to 42-229, 42-263, 42-271, 42-280, 42-294
Area code	+48 34
Car plates	SC
Climate	Cfb
Website	https://www.czestochowa.pl/

Częstochowa (

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.^[7] 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.^[8] The city was also known in German as Tschenstochau and in Russian as Ченстохов (Chenstokhov).

History

A Lusatian culture cemetery from around 750 BC–550 BC is located in the present-day district of Raków and it is now an Archaeological Reserve, a branch of the Częstochowa Museum.^[9]

Middle Ages

According to archaeological findings, the first medieval settlement in the location of Częstochowa was established in the late 11th century within

In the late 13th century Częstochowa became the seat of a Roman Catholic parish church, which was under the Lelów deanery. The village was located in the northwestern corner of Kraków Land, Lesser Poland, near the Royal Castle at Olsztyn. Częstochowa developed 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 a town charter, as no documents have been preserved. It happened sometime between 1356 and 1377. In 1502, King

Early modern period

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 organise 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.^[6]

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. During the Swedish invasion of Poland in 1655, the monastery was one of the pockets of Polish resistance against the Swedish armies (for more information, see Siege of Jasna Góra). The town of Częstochowa was almost completely destroyed by Swedish soldiers. It has been estimated that the town lost 50% of the population, and 60% of houses. But the town suffered less severe destruction than nearby towns like Przyrów, Olsztyn and Mstów. It took several years for Częstochowa to recover from these 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 the king Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki to princess Eleonore of Austria took place here. In 1682 the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa brought thousands of pilgrims from both Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and Silesia. The Jewish community in Częstochowa developed by about 1700.^[6]

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

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 the main arterial road of the modern city. It connected Old Częstochowa with New Częstochowa.

Finally, the two towns were officially merged on August 19, 1826. The new city quickly emerged as the fourth-largest urban centre of Congress Poland; surpassed only by 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 introduced martial law . 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

In 1900, the traveling cinema of brothers Władysław and Antoni Krzemiński came to the city for the first time, after it was founded in Łódź in 1899 as the oldest Polish cinema.^[12] In 1909, they settled in Częstochowa and founded Kino Odeon, the first permanent cinema in the city.^[12]

Up to the Second World War, like many other cities in Europe, Częstochowa had a significant Jewish population: according to

World War I

In early August 1914, Częstochowa was abandoned by the

Unlike the city of Częstochowa, since April 26, 1915, the Jasna Góra Monastery had been under the control and protection of Austria-Hungary, after the 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, the day of the re-establishment of Poland's independence.

Second Polish Republic

On November 12, 1918, three companies of the freshly created

In the Second Polish Republic, Częstochowa belonged to Kielce Voivodeship (Kieleckie), where from 1928 it constituted the City County of Częstochowa. In the 1920s, local industry still suffered from World War I losses, and having been cut off from Russian markets. Unemployment remained high, and thousands of workers left for France in search of work. The Great Depression was particularly difficult, resulting in strikes and workers' street clashes with the police.

In 1925, the

World War II

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 by the Germans as Tschenstochau, and incorporated into the General Government. Monday, September 4, 1939, became known as Bloody Monday or also Częstochowa massacre.^[16] The Germans killed 227 people (205 ethnic Poles and 22 Jews) in various places in the city, including the town hall courtyard, town squares and at a local factory (some estimates of victims put the number at more than 1,000; 990 ethnic Poles and 110 Jews).

From the beginning of the occupation, the Germans initiated a plan of cultural and physical extermination of the Polish nation (see Nazi crimes against the Polish nation). By decision from September 5, 1939, one of the first three German special courts in occupied Poland was established in the city.^[17] On September 6, 1939, the Einsatzgruppe II entered the city to commit atrocities against the population.^[18] On September 14–15, 1939, the Germans arrested around 200 inhabitants of the district of Stradom.^[19] In order to terrorize the Polish population, on November 9–11, 1939, the Germans carried out mass arrests of dozens of Poles, including the mayor, vice-mayor, teachers, students, activists and local officials, but they were soon released.^[20] During the AB-Aktion, the Germans carried out mass arrests of Poles in March, June and August 1940, and also imprisoned 60 Poles from Radomsko and the Radomsko County in the local prison in March 1940.^[21] Arrested Poles were then either deported to the Sachsenhausen, Buchenwald and Ravensbrück concentration camps or massacred in the nearby forests of Olsztyn and Apolonka.^[22] Among the victims of the massacres committed in Olsztyn were school principals, teachers, lawyers, policemen, merchants, craftsmen, pharmacists, engineers, students and local officials, and among the victims of the Apolonka massacres were 20 girl scouts.^[22] Further executions of local Poles were carried out by the Germans throughout the war.

Under

From 1941 to 1944, the Germans operated the Stalag 367 prisoner-of-war camp for Italian and Soviet POWs in the city.^[29] During and after the Warsaw Uprising, in August–October 1944, the Germans deported thousands of Varsovians from the Dulag 121 camp in Pruszków, where they were initially imprisoned, to Częstochowa.^[30] Those Poles were mainly old people, ill people and women with children.^[30] In late December 1944, there were 14,671 registered Poles, who were expelled from Warsaw.^[30]

In the autumn 1944, Germans fortified the city, preparing for a lengthy defence. On January 16, 1945, however, the Wehrmacht retreated after just one day of fighting. The city was restored to Poland, however, with a

Recent period

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 Polish People's Republic, Częstochowa emerged not only as an industrial, but also academic centre of the region. The city expanded, with the first tram lines opened in 1959. On January 1, 1977, several villages and settlements were included within Częstochowa city limits. As a result, the area of the city expanded from 90 to 160 square kilometres (35 to 62 sq mi).

The climate is humid continental (Köppen: Dfb), but still with some oceanic characteristics (Cfb), especially in recent normals. Częstochowa is in one of the hottest summer regions in Poland; although its winters are not the most rigorous, they are colder than the more moderate climates of the west and the Baltic Sea.^[32]

On average, there are four hours a day with direct solar radiation. In the course of the year, the best insolation is observed in June, due to the greatest length of the day. There are few windless days in Częstochowa. Lull periods on an annual scale account for an average of 9.2%. Western winds prevail here - 18% and south-west - 18.2%. At the same time, they achieve the highest speeds from these directions - 2.2 m/s. The northern winds are least common - 7.7% and north-eastern winds - 7.4%.^[33]

Economy

There are about 26,000 companies registered in Częstochowa. They are represented by the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Częstochowa.^[45] The investment areas form part of the Katowice Special Economic Zone. The main initiator of activities pertaining to the economic development and investments is the Agency of Regional Development. In 2007, in areas surrounding the ISD Częstochowa Steelworks, the Częstochowa Industry Park was established. In 2011, three industry clusters were established – The Cluster of Polymers Manufacturing "Plastosfera", Częstochowa Communal Cluster "Aglomeracja" and the Regional Cluster of Building Industry and Infrastructure "Budosfera".

Industry Częstochowa is the main city in the Częstochowa Industrial District, which is the third biggest in the

• The ISD Częstochowa Steelworks – one of the biggest steelworks in Poland, initially established in 1896. The Steelworks produces over 65% of steel sheets manufactured in Poland and has an approximate 35% share in the entire national consumption of this product.^[46]
• TRW Automotive Częstochowa – a manufacturer of car safety systems.^[47]
• CSF Poland – producer of wires, anti-vibration systems and gaskets^[48]
• Brembo Poland – manufacturer of elements of braking systems^[49]
• CGR Poland – manufacturer of automotive components
• The Częstochowa Cokery Plant - one of the leading coke producers in Poland^[50]
• Guardian Industries Poland – glassworks^[51]
• Stolzle Częstochowa – the glassworks specialising in packaging glass for luxury products and perfumes.^[52]
• Iron Cast Foundry "Volcano" – the oldest operating factory in the city, established in 1894
• Dospel – producer of ventilation systems
• Metalplast – producer of locks and construction hardware fittings
• ViperPrint – one of the biggest printing houses in Poland

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.^[53] 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.^[31]

Throughout the centuries, many buildings have been erected, most of them now have the 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.

Panorama of Częstochowa

Architectural sites

The main representative artery in the city centre is the Najświętszej Maryi Panny Avenue (The Holy Virgin Mary Avenue). It was first built in the beginning of the 19th century, as a road linking Częstochowa with New Częstochowa, cities which were administratively merged in 1826. The most characteristic feature of the avenue is its 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, Franke's House housed a 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.

• Zapałkiewicz House is a 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 Bank Polski SA. After World War II, it became the property of the National Bank of Poland. In 1990, the building was sold to the ING Silesian Bank.
• Biegański's House is a one-storey classicist townhouse built in 1880. Initially, it was owned by Karol Henryk Rosenfeld and later by his son-in-law dr. Władysław Biegański. After the Second World War, the building was a seat of the Częstochowa's Doctors Association.
• Hantke's Palace is an example of Baroque Revival architecture, built to the order of an industrialist and entrepreneur Bernard Hantke, who established the ISD Częstochowa Steel Mill. The palace was built between 1900 and 1903. After WW2, the building was the seat of the Częstochowa Steel Mill Culture Centre.
• 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 the Polish Army. Since the 1970s it has been a property of the Częstochowa Regional Museum.
• Old Square – a square located in the Old Town district with dimensions of 100m by 66m. Since medieval times it operated as the main square of Old Częstochowa. There are still preserved old townhouses, which are listed on the historic monuments register. Between the 15th century and 1812, a town hall was located there, which was then damaged because of a fire. In 2007, archaeological works began. As a result, a city well was found and also fundaments of city facilities such as a weigh house and gallows.
• Wieluńska Street – one of the historic streets in Częstochowa, located in the vicinity of Jasna Góra monastery. It is 300 meters long and the buildings on the street were erected in the late-classicist style in the second half of the 19th century.

• Ulica 7 Kamienic (7 Townhouses Street) is one of the 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.
• Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family, Częstochowa – a cathedral built in the neo-gothic style between 1901 and 1927. In 1925, it became a cathedral of a Roman Catholic Diocese of Częstochowa and in 1992 it became the basilica of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Częstochowa
  .
• St James' Church – built between 1869 and 1872 under the initiative of a Tsar's representative for Częstochowa region – Parmen Kashernikov. Initially, it was a seat of an Orthodox parish of Saints Cyril and Methodius. In 1914, it became a property of a Catholic church, serving as an army parish church. After the end of First World War, it was retained by the Catholic church as part of the
  Recovery of Orthodox Churches in the Second Polish Republic
  . In 1937, the Archdiocese of Częstochowa established a parish of St James.
• St Sigismund's Church – a gothic church built in the 15th century, making it the oldest parish church in Częstochowa.
• St Barbara's Church – built in the 16th century under the initiative of Father Andrzej Gołdonowski from the Pauline Order. The place is linked to the icon of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa. Following the desecration of the icon by robbers in 1430 who left it at a spring next to the current location of the church.

There are also several other parks in various parts of the city, including Park Lisiniec [pl], Las Aniołowski, Park Parkitka [pl].

• Avenues and parks
• 
  Maryi Panny Avenue
• 
  View on the Avenues
• 
  3rd Avenue during the night
• 
  Staszic Park
• 
  Sienkiewicz Avenue

Transport

Main road connections from Częstochowa include a connection with

The public transport is managed by the Częstochowa City Council of Roads and Transport. The public transport carriage is contracted to the City Public Transport Corporation (Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne).[55] The public transport in Częstochowa comprises 3 tram lines, 28 city bus lines and 4 suburban lines connecting Częstochowa with Poczesna, Olsztyn, Zawodzie and Nierada.^[56] The bus transport connecting Częstochowa with other towns and villages in the Częstochowa region is operated by the Częstochowa Bus Transport Ltd. (PKS Częstochowa)^[57] as well as other private operators^[58]

The closest airport is the

• Transport
• 
  National Road DK 1 in Częstochowa
• 
  Częstochowa, Częstochowa Osobowa (Główna) Railway S tation
• 
  2012 Twist tram in Częstochowa
• 
  2020 Pesa Twist at the Stadion Raków loop
• 
  Konstal 105Na tram parked at the depot
• 
  Autosan Sancity 12LFE bus on line 33 in Częstochowa

Culture

Museums

In Częstochowa on top of the

• 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 to the local community. In the gallery 'Attic', occasional temporary exhibitions are presented.^[59]
• House of Poetry - Halina Poświatowska Museum, located on Jasnogórska Street 23. After 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.^[60]
• 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
  Modern Art
  , Częstochowa's Art of the 19th century and first half of the 20th century.
• Archaeological Reserve of
  Lusatian Culture,^[61] located in the Raków neighborhood on Łukasińskiego Street. This 2500-year-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
  .
• Museum of Iron Ore Mining,[62] established in 1976 in underground corridors resembling mine corridors. The Museum recreates mine workings and is equipped with mining equipment from the closed down mine "Szczekaczka".

• 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 The 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.^[63]
• Museum of Match Production (pl), located inside the building of a 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 match-making industry and an exhibition called 'Sculptures from a single match'. In another hall, one can see a phillumenist exhibition, where matchbox labels from various periods are displayed.^[64]
• Museum of Railway History, where souvenirs, railway equipment and railway elements are gathered. The 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 Częstochowa 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 Imagination^[65]
• Museum of Coins and Medals commemorating John Paul II^[66]
• Gallery 'Konduktorownia'^[67]

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".^[68]

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 a 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.^[69]

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 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".^[70]

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 at 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 the sacrum in music during various seminars organised during the Festival.^[71]
• 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 operating under the auspices of Gaude Mater

• The International Festival of Sacral Music "Gaude Mater"[72]
• The International Festival of Traditional Jazz "Hot Jazz Spring Częstochowa"^[73]
• Częstochowa Festival of Alternative Culture "Frytka-OFF"^[74]
• ReaggeON Częstochowa^[75]
• HipHop Elements^[76]
• Aleje tu się dzieje (Avenues - Something's going on here)^[77]

Cinemas

In Częstochowa, there are three cinemas. Two are part of chain of cinemas Cinema City Poland: Cinema City "Wolność" (Freedom), which has 1766 seats, and Cinema City Galeria Jurajska, opened in 2009.^[78] There is also an independent cinema, Ośrodek Kultury Filmowej (Centre of Cinematography^[79]), 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^[80]
• Jan Długosz University (previously Wyższa Szkoła Pedagogiczna)^[81]
• Polonia University (previously Wyższa Szkoła Języków Obcych i Ekonomii)^[82]
• Wyższa Szkoła Hotelarstwa i Turystyki (School of Graduate Studies in Hospitality Management and Tourism)^[83]
• Wyższa Szkoła Lingwistyczna (College of Foreign Language Studies)^[84]
• Wyższa Szkoła Zarządzania (College of Management)^[85]
• Centrum Języków Europejskich - Nauczycielskie Kolegium Języków Obcych ( Center of European Languages - Teacher's College of Foreign Languages)^[86]
• Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne Archidiecezji Częstochowskiej (Theological College of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Częstochowa)^[87]
• Centralna Szkoła Państwowej Straży Pożarnej w Częstochowie (The Central School of the State Fire Services in Częstochowa)^[88]

Sports

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

Speedway

• CKM Włókniarz Częstochowa – speedway team from Częstochowa, established in 1946, which competes in the Ekstraliga (top division), four times Polish champions.

Volleyball

• AZS Częstochowa – men's volleyball team playing in Krispol 1. Liga Siatkarzy (Polish 2nd Division), six time Polish champion, six time second-place in Polish championship, four time third-place in Polish championship, twice Polish Cup winner, winner of the CEV Challenge Cup 2011/2012, 16th place and relegation from PlusLiga in season 2016/2017. The club was established in 1945.
• KS Norwid Częstochowa – men's volleyball team playing in Krispol 1. Liga Siatkarzy (2nd level in the Polish volleyball league system). The club was established in 2002.
• KS AJD Częstochowianka Częstochowa – women's volleyball team playing in PZPS Druga Liga Kobiet (3rd level in the Polish volleyball league system).

Football

• Raków Częstochowa – Częstochowa's best football team, plays in the Ekstraklasa (top division), 2022–23 Polish Champions and Polish Cup winners in seasons 2020–21 and 2021–22. As youngsters, both Jerzy Brzęczek and Jakub Błaszczykowski played for Raków, as well as Jacek Krzynówek. The club was established in 1921.
• Skra Częstochowa – Częstochowa's second-best football team, plays in the I liga (second division) as of 2022–23. The club was established in 1926.
• Victoria Częstochowa – team playing in Liga Okręgowa – Częstochowa Regional Division (6th level of the Polish football league system). The club was established in 1922.
• KS Stradom Częstochowa – team playing in Liga Okręgowa – Częstochowa Regional Division (6th level of the Polish football league system). The club was established in 1934.
• LKS Płomień Kuźnica Marianowa – team playing in Liga Okręgowa – Częstochowa Regional Division (6th level of the Polish football league system). The club was established in 1982.
• Orzeł Kiedrzyn – team playing in Liga Okręgowa – Częstochowa Regional Division (6th level of the Polish football league system). The club was established in 1950.
• UKS Ajaks Częstochowa – team playing in Klasa B – Częstochowa Regional Division (8th level of the Polish football league system). The club was established in 1998.
• Gol Częstochowa – women's football team playing in I Liga Kobiet (2nd level of the Polish female football league system). The club was on sixth place in season 2014/15.

Other teams

• 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
• Chess – Hetman Częstochowa
• Weightlifting – KS Polonia Częstochowa
• Velodrome team – Lwy Częstochowa

Sport venues

• Arena Częstochowa – multifunctional stadium located in Zawodzie district. It is mostly used by the speedway club Włókniarz Częstochowa. The stadium was built in 1946. Following the modernisation, it can accommodate 16,850 spectators.
• Sports Hall Częstochowa – multifunctional sports hall located in Zawodzie district. It can accommodate 7,100 spectators. It meets all the criteria as set out by the
  FIVB and FIBA. It was officially opened on 29 September 2012. The hall has hosted various events including volley league matches of AZS Częstochowa
  , boxing fights and concerts.
• Polonia Hall – multifunctional sports hall in Tysiąclecie district. The hall was officially opened in 1985. It is administered by the City Council Centre of Sport and Leisure. The hall is mostly used by volleyball and basketball teams. It can accommodate 3,015 spectators.[89]
• Miejski Stadion Piłkarski "Raków" – a football stadium located in Raków district. It is mostly used by Raków Częstochowa and Gol Częstochowa. The stadium was officially opened in 1955. Currently, it can accommodate up to 8,000 spectators. The stadium has 3,720 seats. There are further plans for modernisation, which include increasing the number of seats to 10,100.
• City Athletics Stadium – a stadium administered by the City Council Centre of Sport and Leisure. The stadium was built in 1965, but extensively modernised in 2000. The stadium has 894 seats.^[90]
• Rosa Private Golf Club – located in Konopiska, 17 km (11 mi) from Częstochowa^[91]
• Three indoor swimming pools and one outdoor swimming pool

Administration

Częstochowa is a city with powiat rights. Residents of Częstochowa elect 28 city councillors. 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,

Politics

Local government

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

In the

In the

• 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 and TV

• 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
• TV Orion

Religion and places of worship

• Prominent churches
• 
  St Barbara and St Andrew Church
• 
  St Sigismund Church
• 
  St Roch and Sebastian Church
• 
  St Jacob's Church
• 
  Katedra Polskokatolicka
• 
  Cerkiew Ikony

In addition to the

• Urszula Antoniak (born 1968), Polish-Dutch film director
• Julia Banaś (born 1997), model
• Stefan Bergman (1895–1977), Polish-American mathematician
• Władysław Biegański (1857–1917), medical doctor, philosopher and social activist
• Jakub Błaszczykowski (born 1985), footballer
• Krzysztof Boruń (1923–2000), Polish physicist, journalist and science fiction writer
• Millie Chissick (c. 1881–1975), Yiddish theatre actress
• Jerzy Duda-Gracz (1941–2004), painter
• Joseph S. Fruton (1912–2007), Polish-American biochemist and historian of science
• Bronisław Huberman (1882–1947), Polish-Jewish classical violinist and founder of the Palestine Philharmonic Orchestra, now Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
• Alexander Imich (1903–2014), Polish-American chemist
• Janusz Iwański (born 1956), jazz and rock guitarist, composer, songwriter and vocalist
• Janusz Kochanowski (1940-2010), lawyer, Polish Ombudsman for Citizen's Rights
• Marion Kozak (born 1934), Polish-born British activist, mother of British politicians David Miliband and Ed Miliband
• Jerzy Kulej (1940–2012), boxer and politician
• Tomasz Jaskóła (born 1974), Polish politician
• Kalina Jędrusik (1930–1991), singer and actress
• Hasidic Rabbi
• Kazimierz Łaski (1921–2015), Polish-Austrian economist
• Agnes Milowka (1981–2011), Australian technical diver, underwater photographer, author, maritime archaeologist and cave explorer
• Treblinka
  survivor who participated in the uprising
• Treblinka revolt and escapee^[97]
• Ingrid Pitt (1937–2010), Polish-British actress, author, and writer
• Halina Poświatowska (1935–1967), poet and writer
• Zygmunt Staszczyk
  (born 1963), singer
• Adam Szostkiewicz (born 1952), author and political commentator

Twin towns

Częstochowa is twinned with:^[98]

References

Further reading

• Duricy, Michael P. "Black Madonnas: Our Lady of Częstochowa". University of Dayton. Archived from the original on 2011-10-12. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
• "Sanktuarium Matki Bożej Częstochowskiej na Jasnej Górze" (in Polish). Jasna Góra. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
• "Częstochowa Official Website". City of Czestochowa. Archived from the original on 2017-08-26. Retrieved 2018-03-18.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Częstochowa.

New International Encyclopedia article "Czenstochowa

".

• Official website
• The Black Madonna Monastery
• Częstochowa Yizkor Book – remembering Częstochowa Jews murdered by Nazis
• 8 Częstochowa Yizkor Books at NYPL
• Częstochowa, Poland at JewishGen
• "Czenstochau" . Collier's New Encyclopedia. 1921.
• Roadside Assistance in Częstochowa