Bielsko – Biala, called by Austrians “white”, is a city with which many of us associate the famous “Bielsko wool, materials which with elegant labels ” pure wool ” was exported throughout the world. It is also a city with which it is bound Italian “Fiat”. Produced already in Bielsko – Bia?a for many years ( part of the car giant in the largest car company “General Motors”) small engine , neat cars are appreciated throughout the world. With Bielsko – Biala the world-renowned violinist Kennedy Nagel, is also associated , as from here comes his wife, and he often performs at concerts, “jam sessions” or simply “jazzing ” in this charming city. Recently played in rainy June evening with his band “Kroke”, which means in Yiddish “ Krakow” . 
The music presented by Nigel and his band presented great performance of “ Klezmer “sounds from the “East Meets East” collection .. These tunes include dynamic compositions reflecting the Jewish music, Gypsy and Balkan themes .From Bielsko comes famous Olympic medal holder of 1960 Olympics in Rome, where he fought with Cassius Clay, Zbigniew Pietrzykowski. 
Bielsko – Biala is true gem of Beskid . At the foot of beautiful mountains covered with green pines, is located on the famous funicular railway. Also in this beautiful place is a hotel “Transportowiec. With convenient , pleasant rooms and excellent cuisine, this is a great place for excursions and trips to the nearby mountains. During several days of stay there , one can actually use on the daily basis Szyndzielnia summit, to conquer neighboring picks , enjoy walking course or just enjoy in an elegant style cable car carts to go for pleasing relaxing strolls . From top of the Szyndzielnia one can expect real adventure exploring the magnificent beauty of gentle hills and trails of Beskid. 
As the example, one can walk down from Szyndzielnia to Wapienica , along beautiful , well marked trail. After descending from the mountains on the trail ,one follows winding way around the famous airport, where many of the Polish air aces enjoy favorable air currents to perform amazing , acrobatic forms of gliding or paragliding . It is very colourful place and with panoramic scenery it is worth to make a little break. We find while relaxing true spectacle, courageous demonstration of aviations skills and abilities where natures forces are dexterously used by pilots. On the green bosom of the meadow, among the fragrant grass and flowers, flies, bees , dragonflies, horseflies, bees in the unprecedented rate float over the green carpet , all in search of floral nectar .
By contrast, seeking the pleasure and joy in the cloudless blue sky , with great courage and bravado ,” Para gliders “ nimbly soar, spin, “loops” or simply using the dynamics of the atmosphere sail and rise toward the sky, using the power of the Beskids, thermal currents of mountain air. These great views and short interval in the walk is a great , free and unforgettable experience, the real reward for the hardships of mountain hikes.
Other interesting routes for walkers in summer and winter for skiing is the trail between Szyndzielnia and Klimczok . On the top of Klimczok there is a charming hostel, with comfortable accommodation and restaurant serving delicious food. It is also a place for a short rest while seeping a warm tea to continue the walk along the route, which can take one even to Szczyrk. In this small town awaits wide range of tourists attractions. You can stay here for a longer period at the elegant Hotel “ Eagle’s Nest” . After the daily hardships of the modern pace of life the beautiful, calming, almost intoxicating panoramic views from the rooms on the Caucasus, offer full balsamic relaxation. Also available with a mountain trail from Szyndzielnia is Jaworze . 
Famous for its microclimate, where many suffering from respiratory problems come to the sanatorium stay. In addition, Jaworze also presents a wide range of possibilities of tourism, sport and recreation. For guests seeking a luxury during their stay in the beautiful Jaworze there is hotel “Jawor”, presenting a truly five star standard, including an Olympic size swimming pool, sauna and a restaurant, “ala carte menu.” Beyond native tourists also foreign visitors stay here . Many Viennese guests also arrive to there region , which has for many years been part of the Habsburg Empire . Beskid, Bielsko – Biala is valued as a great place for “erholung”, relaxation and a wonderful holiday. For professional mountain hikes , seeking peace and beauty of nature there is trail from Szyndzielnia to the Vistula by Blatnia Mountain. It’s really great adventure for the eye, spirit and the body. Bielsko – Biala has long been famous among the merchants, travelers, traders and travelers, as an important city on the European route for exchange of products, and also the philosophical ideas . Presently it is for contemporaries, route for the tourism . 
Bielsko – Biala was part of the route from the Baltic Sea to the south of Europe . The Sudeten Slask mountain range and the beautifully formed geologically reduction, known as “Moravian Gate” was the place where the “amber” floated to the south of Europe . This sensational morphology of Carpathian Mountains for hundreds of years has provided favorable opportunities for the development of the city. This was also “gateway” to the Christianity . Here proudly marched under the command of hetman of the Polish Crown ,Sieniawski Nicholas Jerome, the army of King John Sobieski. The famous Polish Winged Hussars and the unified military forces of Christian Europe went to rescue the ,then political order of the seventeenth century Europe . The troops marched along this to the “Relief of Vienna” in 1683 . This event commemorates the name , one of the longest streets in Bielsko – Biala , bearing the name of John III Sobieski.Architecture of Bielsko – Biala is a wonderful showcase of the city’s rich history. The heart of the city is the Old Town Square. 
Neatly framed with baroque-classicist houses of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries makes a nice corner of the city. By contrast, the oldest and most historic building in Bielsko-Biala, in the eastern part of Old Town, near Market, is the Castle of the Princes Sulkowski. It was built in the fourteenth century, the efforts of Duke of Cieszyn Przemys?aw I and for the next century, served as one of the seats of the Piast Cieszyn. This is a typical style of town “castle”. 
It is part of the fortifications of Bielsko. It was also part of the Silesian border fortress, guarding the border of the district and state to the “ Biala “ . It is now interesting place where festivals, markets or fairs, presenting history, ethnicity and culture of the region take place .
City Hall in Bielsko – Biala, which was built in the years 1895-1897 in the neo-Renaissance style, is a place where the City Council decides on the direction of development of modern Bielsko- Biala . For tourists and visitors to this curious edifice it is an interesting history lesson. Architecture of the hall refers to the architectural concept of the city palaces in Vienna. Emanuel Rost created for Bielsko – Biala magnificent architectural gem of the XIX – building trend . The building externally and the stunning design of the ornate rooms reflect a rich past of the city. However, an attractive building of the hotel “The Eagle” is another noteworthy architectural object of Bielsko-Biala. Often called the “South Bristol”, recalls with its appearance great “ Bristol” Hotel building in Warsaw. It is worth mentioning that Bielsko Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Nicholas, proudly towering over the city, visible even in good weather from many of the nearby mountains, was originally built in Gothic style in the years 1443-1447. Its current, typically Italian style of architecture , owes a appearance through thorough reconstruction in the early twentieth century . 
It was performed and designed by the Viennese architect Leopold Bauer.
By contrast, watching a charming building of the Polish Theatre once again we are confronted with the trend of development of the city, created by Viennese architects. It was built between 1889-1890. The famous Emil von Förster decided to neo-classicism of the building architecture. In the building mix there are also elements of baroque and neo-Roman motifs. The triumphal arch of the facade of the building carries the statues of Apollo and the Muses: Melpomene and the Thalia . The buildings appearance , as Förster founded, is a reflection of the buildings of the Vienna State Opera and National Theatre in Budapest. This reiterates the relationship of Bielsko – Bia?a with the history of the Habsburg era.
While in Bielsko- Biala one needs to mention Ondraszek also called Ondra. Talking about this character we enter into the realm of myths of the region’s rich history. Szebesta Andrew because that was the real name of Ondraszek is the most colorful character of Beskid mythology. This was the authentic “beskidnik “(outlaw) from the mountains of the Moravian-Silesian Beskid Mountains, on which the world-famous Song and Dance Ensemble “?l?sk” composed the legendary and very popular song. Ondraszek was also the hero of the works of Emanuel Grim , who wrote the poem “Ondraszek” and “Ondraszek wedding.” . Zofia Kossak also wrote a book in which the main protagonist was Ondraszek as folk “communications” said defender of peasants against nobles, and the enemies . He also had his followers like Klimczok, whose name proudly resonates on the peak in the Beskid of Bielsko – Biala region .
Bielsko – Biala can be reached from many directions in Europe. From the south through the beautiful region of Bohemia, the Moravian Gate and Cieszyn runs the route from Moravia, Slovakia, Austria and Southern Europe. However, our beautiful capital, Warsaw, with fast, speeding at breakneck speed of 150 km. per hour, train “Beskidy ” is also easily reachable . And to all visitors to Krakow, or nearby Wadowice, the birthplace of our Holy Father John Paul II , the trip to Bielsko- Biala , charming town of the south, the beautiful Polish mountains , is highly recommended . Nearby airports to Bielsko – Biala are Katowice and Krakow. Using LOT Polish Airlines member of the “Star Alliance”, with carriers like Thai Airways International or Singapore Airlines , one can reach Bielsko – Biala and other Polish cities, from Asia , Europe , USA and the rest of the world.
August 2009
Mitch Godziemba Swiat
mitchgodziemba
