Poland - Bydgoszcz

Bydgoszcz received its city rights from the hands of Casmir the Great on 19 April Following the victorious 13-year war against the Teutonic Knights and sebsequent return of Pomerania to Poland, the town enjoyed universal development. Bydgoszcz became a major centre of trade which included grain, wood, beer and pottery.

The second half on the 17th century witnessed brought an economic slump in Bydgoszcz. It was inevitable due to destruction caused by the war against Sweden. After the first partition of Poland in 1772 Bydgoszcz was incorporated into the Kingdom of Prussia. The Canal of Bydgoszcz, built in 1774 to connect The Vistula with the Rivers Warta and Odra, supported the east- west trade.

 The defeat of the invaders in World War I and the growing aspirations for independence of the Polish nation, in November 1918 established the Polish state. For the exact date of return to Bydgoszcz matrix is considered to January 20, 1920.

 During the German occupation, the Old Market dramatic events took place that were a response to the suppression of the Society of Bydgoszcz Nazi sabotage September 3rd, 1939 Revenge of the Nazi propaganda hailed the "Bydgoszcz Bloody Sunday" was, among others, public execution of 50 Bydgoszcz, conducted September 9-10, 1939, in front of the western frontage of the Old Mark.

The World War II and German occupation wrecked Bydgoszcz. The Old Town suffered from destruction. The synagogue was ruined, the beautiful theatre burned. Plish and Jewish residents sufered great loss.  In January 1945 Soviet and Polish troops liberated the city which became the capital of of the Pomeranian Voivodship.

In the immediate downtown, one of the first squares of the city, the landmark Old Market Square has remaied almous unchanged since the Middle Ages. The most monumental building, which once served as the Jesuit College, is the seat of the Town Council and Mayor of the City. The Monument to the Fight and Martyrdom of the Bydgoszcz Land, made by Franciszek Masiak and unveiled in 1969, commemorating the victims of the German Occupation in , stands in front of the Town Hall.

 Surrounded by charming tenement houses, the Old Market Square serves as a venue of solemn celebrations during holidays, and daily – as a siteattracting strollers, both locals and visitors. There are not only stylish buildings, but also a host of stores, as well as restaurants and cafes. In the vicinity, there is the oldest historic landmark of Bydgoszcz, which is the Cathedral of St. Martin and St. Nicholas, dating from the early 16ty century.

On the opposite end of Market Square, in front of the historical buldig of teh local library, there is an inconspicuous- looking monument „Children playing with the goose”. It is the oldest monument in the city, dating from On the other hand, the most recently erected monument in the city is the statue of the benefactor of bydgoszcz, King Casimir the Great, made by Mariusz Białecki in 2006.

In the market one can also find interesting bulding of the municipal library and one of teh oldest pharmacies in the city. In the window of tenement house No. 15 we may see famous wizard – Master Twardowski.

 Only a few meters to the west of the Old Market, in the bend of the Brda River, there is the Mill Island. While walking around the island, we can visit some of the many museums located in 19th-century mills and granaries. One of the most charming parts that can be seen from the island is the Bydgoszcz Venice, a complex of 19th century buildings emerging directly from the currents of the Brda Młynówka.

 Bydgoszcz, a city which in addition to culture is most commonly associated with sports.

 Granaries on the Brda River Granaries on the Brda River The Bydgoszcz granaries on the Brda River are the symbol of the city. They have always been a natural city logo. Why so much sympathy, respect and pride for, you might say, mere granaries - buildings far more modest than extravagant mansions, stylish churches or imposing monuments? The location of Bydgoszcz is not accidental. Here, the terrestrial trade routes from Wielkopolska to Pomerania and from Krajna to Mazovia double-crossed paths, and it is also on the most important Polish trade route which was the Vistula River. The New City Hall  The Bydgoszcz Town Hall is the heart of the city. Together with the town church (Fara), its walls and gates have always been one of the foundations of the medieval city. The current City Hall building also has a nearly 400-year-long history. Initially, it was associated with the Jesuit Order and their college. The first Jesuits arrived in Bydgoszcz as early as 1616.

Casimir the Great Monument  Casimir the Great Monument by Mariusz Białecki was unveiled in the New Market in the 660 anniversary of granting Bydgoszcz with civic rights by Casimir the Great. The monumental sculpture presents the king on a horse with the civic rights document from 19 April, 1346 in one hand and a sceptre in the other.  Master Twardowski Master Twardowski  Every day at and 21.13, among the clouds of smoke and to the accompaniment of music, Master Twardowski appears in one of the windows of tenement house No. 15 in the Old Market Square. In this building, there was an inn "Gospoda Pod Zgorzelcem". According to the legend, the famous wizard Twardowski had been living there during his visit in Bydgoszcz in 1560.

 The sculpture "Man crossing the River„ The sculpture "Man crossing the River„  Jerzy Kędziora is the author of this remarkable sculpture. "Man crossing the River" was unveiled on the 1st of May 2004 to commemorate the Polish entry into the European Union. The sculpture was placed on the ropes stretched between the banks of the Brda river and that is a phenomenon. The center of gravity was shifted below the rope. Thanks to this, the sculpture maintains a balance. "Man crossing the River" is accompanied by a swallow. In German language it means 'schwalbe'. And Szwalbe is the name of the founder of the Pomeranian Philharmonic in Bydgoszcz.  Myślęcinek –”green lungs” of Bydgoszcz Myślęcinek –”green lungs” of Bydgoszcz  In the northern part of the city, just 5 km from the centre, there is the Forest Park of Culture and Recreation - Myślęcinek [1]. One of the largest recreational complexes in Poland it covers an area of 830 ha, of which nearly 500 ha are forest areas hat include hundred year old specimens of deciduous trees. It is an area of very special natural, recreational and educational qualities.

The Archer Lady „ It is one of the symbols of Bydgoszcz. The sculpture is located in the Jan Kochanowski Park in the vicinity of the Polish Theatre and the Pomeranian Philharmonic. The sculpture was designed by Ferdinand Lepcke and was unveiled on the 18th of October "The Archer Lady " has changed its location several times.  "Hotel Pod Orłem"...("Under the Eagle Hotel") an icon of turn of the century Bydgoszcz architecture, was designed by a prominent architect from Bydgoszcz - Józef Święcicki, the designer of over 60 excellent buildings in the city. The construction of the hotel was completed in From the beginning the edifice functioned as a hotel, and was originally run by Emil Bernhardt. Among the hotel guests we could find such notables as Arthur Rubinstein. The extremely rich facade of the building is decorated with elements of neo-baroque architecture. "Hotel Pod Orłem"

 Museum of Soap and History of Dirt Museum of Soap and History of Dirt  Museum of Soap and History of Dirt – first in Europe. You can learn more about hygiene and washing history since antiquity, some historic figures: Tomasz Łaziebnik Plugawy or Zabłocki (Polish proverb character). The Museum shows pre-war detergent commercials and informs about how soap is made.  The Opera NovaAlthough the opera house had been building for more than 30 years, the Opera Nova is one of the most modern theatres in Poland. The rich repertoire includes operas, ballets, operettas and musicals, concerts and performances. Bydgoszcz Opera Festival gathering opera artists from all over the world has been organized since The Opera Nova

 Two brothers Byd and Gost  From the south towards the sea two brothers were wandering: Byd and Gost. They were passing by meadows, lakes, forests, hills, valleys and swamps... The journey seemed to have no end. Byd was looking for dense woods that could provide construction materials for a settlement. Gost on the other hand kept his eyes open for a river rich in fish and large enough to protect a castle from the invasion of enemies. After many days when the River Brda appeared in front of their eyes, the brothers decided to end their journey. The forests here were extremely robust, and lakes were scattered among numerous meadows. Additionally, the land was crossed by a junction of routes linking the north with the south and east with the west. The place was convenient, so they established a settlement here and called it after their names - Bydgost.

 Line of longitude 18th meridian east passes through the Old Market. Thus, Bydgoszcz is on the same line of longitude as Stockholm and Cape Town. A small statue symbolising this can be found on the Mill Island.

 Saint Vincent de Paul's Basilica, one of the biggest churches in Poland, was modelled after the Pantheon in Rome.