“Little Vienna” is a hit among tourists. It is located in Poland

“Little Vienna” is a promotional slogan used to refer to many cities, especially in the area of ​​the former Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, but not only. It refers to cities with many architectural monuments from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, built in the style of historicism and Art Nouveau, which are considered to be inspired by Viennese architecture. And it is for this reason that Bielsko-Biała, among others, was called “Little Vienna”.

“Little Vienna” in Poland. Bielsko-Biała delights tourists

Bielsko-Biała is a city in southern Poland, inhabited by approx. 170,000 people. people. It is the 22nd largest city in Poland. The town is located north of the Beskid Mountains and actually consists of two former towns merged in 1951 – Bielsko in the west and Biała in the east – on opposite banks of the Biała River, which once divided Silesia and Lesser Poland.

The history of Bielsko dates back to the 13th century, while Biała was established in the 16th century. Despite the administrative division, both cities functioned as one urban area already in the 19th century. In the past, industrialization, especially textile and automotive, was of great importance for its development.

Due to the fact that there are many buildings here that closely resemble those in Vienna, the city has been nicknamed “Little Vienna”. It seems that Poles do not have to travel hundreds of kilometers to Austria to feel the atmosphere of its capital. In turn, foreigners appreciate the charm of the Polish city and the much lower prices that apply here.

What is “Little Vienna” famous for?

Bielsko-Biała is located approximately 60 km from Katowice. Getting to it is very easy – you can use the train or car. It is the cultural center of the Beskids and a city that cannot be missed. Moreover, there will definitely be no crowds here.

In the city you will find a unique town hall, the Evangelical Cathedral of the Savior, the Sułkowski Castle, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, Martin Luther Cathedral, Brave Square and many other historical buildings. It is worth starting your tour from the station itself, which was built in 1890. It boasts amazing frescoes and a grand pavilion with intricate museum-like details

It is worth adding that the animated comedy series “Bolek i Lolek” were created at the Cartoon Film Studio in Bielsko-Biała. Since 2011, there has been a monument to Bolek and Lolek there.

It’s worth getting lost in Bielsko-Biała. The cobbled streets of Podcienie and Wzgórze lead to the Old Town and are worth a stroll. We will pass a lot of cafes and restaurants along the way. The city’s old town is located on a hill 328 m above sea level, which also provides beautiful views.

Bielsko-Biała is known as “Little Vienna” due to the strong influence of Viennese architecture, which can be seen in all the city’s streets. Bielsko-Biała’s main promenade is 11 Listopada Street, which boasts magnificent buildings and a bridge connecting the twin cities in what was once considered the city of Biała before it merged with Bielsko. Along 3 Maja Street, which is the main street of Bielsko-Biała, there are numerous three-story buildings built in the Neo-Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau styles. They were built for wealthy merchants and factory owners in the 19th and 20th centuries. The market square is filled with buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries, which were built on the site of wooden buildings, then in the 19th and 20th centuries, beautiful tenement houses were built.