BYDGOSZCZ The town in brief

Bydgoszcz Bydgoszcz is the capital city of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province, lies in the north central part of Poland, 250 km away from Warsaw and 160 km from the largest port city, Gdansk. It is situated on the Brda and Vistula rivers, with a population of ( 2012 ), agglomeration more than Bydgoszcz is the capital city of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province, lies in the north central part of Poland, 250 km away from Warsaw and 160 km from the largest port city, Gdansk. It is situated on the Brda and Vistula rivers, with a population of ( 2012 ), agglomeration more than It’s the 8th biggest city in Poland It’s the 8th biggest city in Poland. The first confirmed note concerning Bydgoszcz dates back to the year On April 19, 1346, during the reign of king Casimir the Great, Bydgoszcz was granted city status and developed on the site of the present- day Old Town. The first confirmed note concerning Bydgoszcz dates back to the year On April 19, 1346, during the reign of king Casimir the Great, Bydgoszcz was granted city status and developed on the site of the present- day Old Town.

History of Bydgoszcz In the 13th century, when Poland was divided into small principalities, Bydgoszcz belonged to the Kujawy principality and, after its division in 1267, to the Inorocław principality. In the years , Bydgoszcz was ruled by the Teutonic Knights. In 1346 it was granted municipal rights from the Polish King Casimirus the Great. During the war against the Teutonic Knights (1454 – 1466), Bydgoszcz was the headquarters of the Polish army. After the peace agreement, concluded in 1466, Bydgoszcz started to flourish. This was because the Vistula River trading route was accessible. The main commodities were salt and corn. Bydgoszcz

History of Bydgoszcz Between the 14th and 17th centuries, numerous corn granaries, mills and grout granaries were built. From the end of the 16th century until late 17th century there was a mint on the Młyńska (Mill) Island, entitled to issue 100 ducat coins that had the highest value in Poland. Initially private, later it belonged to the king. In 1772 Poland was partitioned and Bydgoszcz became part of Prussia.

History of Bydgoszcz In 1773 the Prussian King, Frederick the 2nd, ordered the construction of the Bydgoszcz Channel that joined Noteć and Brda. In 1920 Bydgoszcz returned to the newly reborn Poland. Initially within the borders of the Poznań Province, after the administration reform Bydgoszcz was part of the Pomorze Province. After 1945 Bydgoszcz changed its administrative status again. It was the capital of the Pomorze Province and later – the Bydgoszcz Province.

Main streets of the old town centre

OLD MARKET SQUARE Until the beginning of the 20th century the old market square served as the administrative and commercial center. On the southern side of the square there is the City Public Library, and right in front of it a small stone well, a fountain, named “Children playing with a goose,” On the western part there’s a building of former Jesuit College which has been housing the City Hall since 1897 and the Bydgoszcz Land Monument of Fight and Martyrdom.

GDAŃSKA STREET With a great number of its secession and eclectic buildings, it became the major artery of the developing city.

DŁUGA STREET Ul. Długa (Long Street) – the main track in the Old Town back to ul. Jezuicka and head west to Wełniany Rynek (Wool Market Square).

Churches in Bydgoszcz

FARA The oldest fully preserved church in the city. In the red brick fifteenth century Gothic Farny Church we can see a 500 – year – old painting of Saint Mary with a rose. In the evening, the church is brightly lit, presenting a pretty picture.

Kościół Klarysek(Church of the Assumption of Holy Virgin) The small Gothic- Renaissance Roman Catholic church was built in the years Bydgoszcz’ s bugle call is sounded at 9 a.m., 12, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. from its tower. Inside one can find a Gothic chandelier, two magnificent wrought-iron grathings and a 17th century wooden altar.

BAZYLIKA CHURCH Minor Basilica of St. Vincent a Paulo (al. Ossolińskich 2) Minor Basilica of St. Vincent a Paulo (al. Ossolińskich 2) Roman Catholic church of St. Vincent a Paulo was erected in 1925 Minor Basilica of St. Vincent a Paulo (al. Ossolińskich 2)

Buildings

Bydgoszcz Granaries (Spichrze) A characteristic architectural landmark of the town is the Granaries, located on the Brda River. It is a cluster of three buildings known as 'spichrze,' (granaries) or the warehouse, as it was previously used for storing grains. The oldest of them (the smallest one) probably comes from the end of XVII century. Two of the Granaries now house an archeological and historical museum, a part of Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum. A characteristic architectural landmark of the town is the Granaries, located on the Brda River. It is a cluster of three buildings known as 'spichrze,' (granaries) or the warehouse, as it was previously used for storing grains. The oldest of them (the smallest one) probably comes from the end of XVII century. Two of the Granaries now house an archeological and historical museum, a part of Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum.

COVERED MARKET The building, presented on the left, was erected in 1904 in Gothic- modernist style. Designed by the architecture company "Boswau and Knauer GmbH" of Berlin.

Crossing The River One of the symbols of Bydgoszcz. The sculpture was placed on the ropes strechted between two blanks of the Brda river and that’s a phenomenon.

THE MAIN POST OFFICE BUILDING A complex of buildings built in 1883 – 1885 in neo-Gothic style, surrounding an inner yard. In 1850 the Bydgoszcz regency special board of directors and a part of the Kwidzyn regency were placed in the building complex. A complex of buildings built in 1883 – 1885 in neo-Gothic style, surrounding an inner yard. In 1850 the Bydgoszcz regency special board of directors and a part of the Kwidzyn regency were placed in the building complex.

Wyspa Młyńska (Mill Island) Mill Island, was the site of one of the most important Polish mills in the 17th century. The site is surrounded by the waters of the Młyńska Brda River, one of the most charming looks of the town. Bydgoszcz’ s Venice is located nearby. Mill Island, was the site of one of the most important Polish mills in the 17th century. The site is surrounded by the waters of the Młyńska Brda River, one of the most charming looks of the town. Bydgoszcz’ s Venice is located nearby.

Bydgoszcz’s Venice A part of Bydgoszcz resembles Venice in Italy and is known as the “Bydgoszcz Venice”. It is an island between two arms of the River Brda. There are houses situated very close to the water making it seem as though they are in the water themselves. Most present buildings of this picturesque place date back to XVIII-XIX century. The site is often represented in artistic works. However some of the buildings need a complex renovation. A part of Bydgoszcz resembles Venice in Italy and is known as the “Bydgoszcz Venice”. It is an island between two arms of the River Brda. There are houses situated very close to the water making it seem as though they are in the water themselves. Most present buildings of this picturesque place date back to XVIII-XIX century. The site is often represented in artistic works. However some of the buildings need a complex renovation.

Music and arts

Pomeranian Philharmonia The concert hall of the Pomeranian Society is famous not only for having one of Europe’ s best acoustics, but also for the grand international festivals that are held here: Bydgoszcz Music Festival (since 1963) and Musical Antiqua Europae Orientalis (since 1966). The building has two concert halls. One of them has a capacity of 920 people. The smaller one was designed for 300 people. The Pomeranian Philharmonic also takes pride in a collection of old grand pianos, a gallery of sculptures and a unique collection of tapestry. The concert hall of the Pomeranian Society is famous not only for having one of Europe’ s best acoustics, but also for the grand international festivals that are held here: Bydgoszcz Music Festival (since 1963) and Musical Antiqua Europae Orientalis (since 1966). The building has two concert halls. One of them has a capacity of 920 people. The smaller one was designed for 300 people. The Pomeranian Philharmonic also takes pride in a collection of old grand pianos, a gallery of sculptures and a unique collection of tapestry.

The Opera Nova The Opera Nova located on a bend of the Brda River, annually hosts the Bydgoszcz Opera Festival. The biggest musical theatres from Poland and all over Europe present the most interesting and most beautiful opera, operetta and ballet spectacles. The Opera Nova located on a bend of the Brda River, annually hosts the Bydgoszcz Opera Festival. The biggest musical theatres from Poland and all over Europe present the most interesting and most beautiful opera, operetta and ballet spectacles.

Jan Kochanowski Park Filharmonia Pomorska is located in the delightful Park of Jan Kochanowski, near Gdanska Street. The park is the “musical centre” of Bydgoszcz as most of the well-known music schools are located there. You will see the Musical School, the Musical Academy and mentioned before Filharmonia Pomorska, all within short distances of each other. In the park there’s also the statue representing the city’s symbol- The Woman Archer, from And the park gallery also shows sculptures of world-famous composers and virtuosi. Filharmonia Pomorska is located in the delightful Park of Jan Kochanowski, near Gdanska Street. The park is the “musical centre” of Bydgoszcz as most of the well-known music schools are located there. You will see the Musical School, the Musical Academy and mentioned before Filharmonia Pomorska, all within short distances of each other. In the park there’s also the statue representing the city’s symbol- The Woman Archer, from And the park gallery also shows sculptures of world-famous composers and virtuosi.

The Bydgoszcz Canal One cannot look at the economic potential of the city, its diversity, without drawing the attention to the significance of rivers in its development. This is particularly seen on the example of preserved sluices on the Bydgoszcz Canal and magnificent industrial engineering facilities. The Canal constructed at the end of the 18th century, to connect the Brda and Noteć rivers, reminds about a rich history, which it played in the life of the city and the life of Poland. It combined the system of rivers in Western Europe with the system of rivers in Eastern Europe. Currently efforts are undertaken to list in the near future the Canal on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a masterpiece of technique of inland navigation. One cannot look at the economic potential of the city, its diversity, without drawing the attention to the significance of rivers in its development. This is particularly seen on the example of preserved sluices on the Bydgoszcz Canal and magnificent industrial engineering facilities. The Canal constructed at the end of the 18th century, to connect the Brda and Noteć rivers, reminds about a rich history, which it played in the life of the city and the life of Poland. It combined the system of rivers in Western Europe with the system of rivers in Eastern Europe. Currently efforts are undertaken to list in the near future the Canal on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a masterpiece of technique of inland navigation.

Myślęcinek – A fun & nature park In Myślęcinek in the northen part of the city, the Forest Park of Culture and Leisure is located. It corvers 830ha of the most attractive land in terms of landscape and wildlife. Within its boundaries you can visit the Polish Fauna Garden, which is the only zoo in Poland that presents native wildlife; the Botanical Garden- which occupies extraordinarily shaped terrain with forests. In Myślęcinek in the northen part of the city, the Forest Park of Culture and Leisure is located. It corvers 830ha of the most attractive land in terms of landscape and wildlife. Within its boundaries you can visit the Polish Fauna Garden, which is the only zoo in Poland that presents native wildlife; the Botanical Garden- which occupies extraordinarily shaped terrain with forests.

All-season Sport and Recreation Centre, which consists of: Golf Academy, ski slope, climbing wall and sports equipment rental- bikes, rollerskates and skateboards. There is also a funfair. A park train ride along 3,5-kilometre distance of its narrow-gauge route enables to admire Myślęcinek's landscapes. Just a perfect place to relax, admire beautiful views all year long and spend time in active way.

SPORT Bydgoszcz is undoubtedly a city of sport. Bydgoszcz is undoubtedly a city of sport. Sports in Bygdoszcz is not only professional, local sport, but it is also sport that presents superb European or world sport events for instance the 1st IAAF World Youth Championship, European Junior Championship, twice the European Cup in multi-discipline event, SPAR European Cup, World Grand Prix Volleyball Tournaments and other. The city was the host of the IAAF World Junior Championships, which was organized in Every event is visited by many citizens of Bydgoszcz, who from their youngest years are sport fans, especially with respect to the queen of sports - athletics, cinder-track racing, rowing, canoeing, basketball, but also cycling. Sports in Bygdoszcz is not only professional, local sport, but it is also sport that presents superb European or world sport events for instance the 1st IAAF World Youth Championship, European Junior Championship, twice the European Cup in multi-discipline event, SPAR European Cup, World Grand Prix Volleyball Tournaments and other. The city was the host of the IAAF World Junior Championships, which was organized in Every event is visited by many citizens of Bydgoszcz, who from their youngest years are sport fans, especially with respect to the queen of sports - athletics, cinder-track racing, rowing, canoeing, basketball, but also cycling.