Short story about Czestochowa

Częstochowa - the city known all over the world due to the presence of the Holy Virgin Mary embodied in the icon of the Black Madonna in the Monastery of the Pauline Fathers. A large multitude makes pilgrimage to the Madonna with their thanks, pleas, and prayers, both in difficult and happy moments of their life. Down through the ages Częstochowa has become one of the main pilgrimage centres of the world. Every year the shrine is visited on average by 4-5 million pilgrims from as many as 80 countries from all over the world. A religious and social phenomenon, peculiar to Poles, is associated with the so called on-foot pilgrimage. It is estimated that over 200,000 pilgrims come to Częstochowa this way. The longest pilgrimage routes in Poland itself are over 600 km long and it usually takes pilgrims up to 20 days to cover that distance. For the first time ever Częstochowa was mentioned in the year 1220. In the 14th century the town was granted its foundation charter, according to the German law by King Casimir the Great, and then the town developed into an important trade centre on the route from Russia and Wallachia to Lower Silesia and Saxony. The next significant stage in the development of Częstochowa was initiated when the town was granted the privilege to excavate and smelt iron ore. The advantageous location on the Warta River and the proximity of the Monastery undoubtedly encouraged the town development. Soon another settlement began to expand, this time around the Monastery and that settlement was granted municipal rights in 1717.

The two towns became officially joined in 1826. It was then that the Holy Virgin Mary Avenue got erected and became an axis around which new houses as well as shops were built. The most intensive development of the town took place at the time of the Industrial Revolution. The town had access to water intakes and was situated on the Warsaw Vienna Railway, hence textile factories and steelworks were built here and haberdashery and chemical industries began to thrive. Following earlier traditions, Częstochowa craftsmen manufactured goods from coloured metals, and also glass and ceramic articles were manufactured. At the end of the 19th century Częstochowa was one of the most developed industrial centres and the fourth biggest town in the Kingdom of Poland as regards its inhabitants. The significance of the city was accencuated during the Exhibition of Industry and Agriculture held in 1909. The exhibition itself was a comprehensive survey of Polish cultural and technological capabilities, the national demonstration of Polish cultural and technological possibilities as well as production potential. In 1933 Częstochowa was granted the status of a municipal district (starostwo grodzkie).

At the beginning of the 20th century Częstochowa set up its cultural heritage institutions. Thus the museum, the theatre, libraries, cinemas as well as several schools of educational, polytechnic and academic background got founded. Also, the local press started burgeoning.
In 1925 the Diocese of Częstochowa was established and later the Diocese was awarded the status of Archdiocese by Pope John Paul II in the year 1992.
The good business climate has always prevailed in Częstochowa. The city is now a big centre with a well-developed infrastructure and a strong social and economic potential. As an important academic centre with its nine higher profile schools with over 40.000 students, the city is a centre of culture based on tradition. Częstochowa, the city open for the world from the very beginning, was the first town in Poland to be granted the Prix de'l Europe award by the Council of Europe. The award gave a special splendour to the City and its inhabitants.
You can spend an unforgettable time when in the city, due to its exceptional climate and the special atmosphere of the Holy Virgin Mary Avenue.

Częstochowa

The town is located 56 km from KATOWICE airport, about 30 minutes drive. It is situated on the Krakowsko - Częstochowska Upland, and it has 255 000 inhabitants. The town is located at the foot of Pauline Fathers Monastery. It is favourite place of the Pope John Paul II, to wich he used to come as an archbishop and the Pope. Here gathered 1 milion people from all over the world during the World Youth day.

Specific atmosphere of religious tradition, spiritual and artistic heritage attracts numbers of pilgrims from the world every year. Częstochowa is the town of rich religious traditions. This is the heart of Polish Nation. This is the place of all who search for comfort in prayer. Częstochowa is the spiritual capital of Poland for Polish people here and abroad.

Jasna Góra

The majestic Pauline Fathers Monastery stands on a lime soil hill surrounded by a wall and a park.

The high belltower of the Monastery dominates over the town and can be seen from miles away. The sanctuary founded at the begining of l2th century was also a fortress. The quadrangle of the huge monastery adjoints to the chapel with the holy painting of Black Madonna, thanks to which Jasna Góra is considered to be the biggest sanctuary of Our Blessed Mother in Poland. The painting from Jasna Góra is famous for its miracles which attracts pilgrims from the whole Europe. John Paul II left his belt, from his shot accident, in the chapel of the holy painting. Behind the quadrangle of the huge monastery we can see the Arsenal of Jasna Góra Fortress. The complex is surrounded by the wall along which there are the Stations Of The Cross. While visiting the rich Arsenal and the Treasury we can see historical remembrances of the last 600 years of the Polish and European history. The visit to Jasna Góra helps to understand the history of Poland.