The city’s history is closely linked to that of Silesia, which was annexed to Poland in 990 by Mieszko I. In the northwestern part of the region, inhabited for centuries by the Slavic Bobrzan tribe, a stronghold was established under the name Bolezlauez. Its name is linked to the name Boleslaw, which was borne by the first Piasts, including Duke Boleslaw Wysoki, grandson of Boleslaw the Wry-mouthed, who founded in 1202, and Boleslaw Rogatka, Duke of Legnica, founded the town in 1251. From the beginning it was a commercial transit center, located at the junction of trade routes to Germany, Bohemia and northern Poland. This is marked on the city’s seal, which dates back to 1353, with three so-called “wipers” above the city’s coat of arms, signifying the three forks of the road.

Throughout history, the city belonged to several political organisms. Until 1392 it remained under the rule of the Piasts. In 1392, after the death of Duchess Agnes, widow of Bolek I, the Duchy of Świdnica-Jawor came under the rule of the Bohemian Luxemburgs and became part of Bohemia. In 1526 Silesia became part of the Habsburg Empire; it was under their rule until 1740. In that year, as a result of the Silesian wars, it came under Prussian rule. It returned to Poland again after World War II, in 1945.

In the Middle Ages, trade and crafts, especially pottery, dyeing, linen-making and milling, played an important role in the economic development of the city. The development of pottery in the city in the 15th century is confirmed by the existence of a number of pottery factories in 1473 and the establishment of a potters’ guild. In 1531, a sewage and water supply system – one of the first in Europe – is established in Boleslawiec.

The city’s development, halted by the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648), began again in the late 17th and 18th centuries. Pottery and ceramics production in particular developed, and Boleslawiec became famous throughout Germany and Silesia. In 1851 the city received a railroad connection to Breslau and Dresden. In 1897, the Ceramics School was established. Further urban and population development of the city took place in the 20th century ( T. Wlodarczyk).

– The Museum of Ceramics, operating in two buildings: Ceramics Department (13 Mickiewicza Street) and City History Department (14 Kutuzowa Street), the museum conducts exhibition, educational and workshop activities -> https://muzeum.boleslawiec.pl/

– Boleslawiec Cultural Center – International Ceramics Center – pl. Marszałka J. Piłsudskiego 1C – has permanent thematic studios for children and adults and two galleries (“Just in time” and “Little White”) presenting temporary exhibitions-> https://bok.boleslawiec.pl/index.php

– Forum Cinema -> – Marszałka J. Piłsudskiego Square, a cinema facility operating under the auspices of BOK-MCC, film screenings and a room sometimes used for occasional events -> https://kino.boleslawiec.pl/

– Cultural Integration Center “Eagle” -> 17 Chopina St., Numerous concerts, film screenings, conferences and performances are held there, and several BOK-MCC studios, including music, film and theater studios, have their permanent offices there. -> https://bok.boleslawiec.pl/index.php/bok-mcc/cik-orzel

– Stanislaw Wyspianski Youth Cultural Center in Boleslawiec – 5 Grunwaldzka St. – The main goal of the MDK’s activities is to educate through art, to make participants aware of their creative abilities and to encourage active forms of leisure. The MDK has art, music, dance, vocal, theater and modeling studios. The classes are attended by children from the age of four and teenagers. -> https://mdkboleslawiec.pl/aktualnosci/

– Old Theater – 1 Teatralna Street – belongs to S. Wyspianski MDK, organizes theatrical and musical performances, exhibitions, workshops, etc. -> https://mdkboleslawiec.pl/teatr/

– Municipal Public Library named after Cyprian Kamil Norwid – Knowledge Center – 5 Głowackiego Street – a modern building with library functions, as a result of the project on the first floor of the building, a multifunctional multimedia “Knowledge Center” was created, which was equipped with interactive installations for children and young people of the “learning through play” type, as well as for adults /interactive tables and screens, interactive floor with projector, multimedia presentations. Workshops, meetings, exhibitions and concerts are organized here https://www.mbp.boleslawiec.pl/index.php/biblioteka-centrum-wiedzy/o-nas

– Living Museum of Ceramics – 30 Gdanska St. – possibility to visit the production hall of the ceramic plant Manufaktura in Boleslawiec and take part in workshops of pottery making and/or decorating -> https://ceramiczna-przygoda.pl/zywe-muzeum-ceramiki/

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