10 things you (may) not know about Sosnowiec!

Lying in southern Poland, Sosnowiec, a town with a rich industrial past, is often overshadowed by its larger neighbours on the map of Poland. However, what makes Sosnowiec unique is not limited to its historical role in the development of industry. The city is full of contrasts, and the past meets the future here. In this article, we will take you on a journey through Sosnowiec's most surprising and little-known curiosities.

When was Sosnowiec founded and where did the name come from?

• The beginnings of Sosnowiec (as a town) date back to 1902, when, thanks to the efforts of the local industrial families and the Tsar's official Aleksander Budrysz-Ratyński, it was granted a town charter. However, it should be remembered that the history of settlement in the area of today's Sosnowiec dates back to the Piast era.
• The town derives its name from the pine forests that originally covered the area in the 19th century.

How many Sosnowskies are there in Poland?

• More than you might think! Although the name is mainly associated with a town located in the Silesian Voivodeship, when going to Sosnowiec and looking for the right route, one should remember that towns with the same name are also located in the Świętokrzyskie, Łódzkie, Wielkopolskie and Podlaskie Voivodeships. Sosnowiec located in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodship may also turn out to be misleading. Such a mistake could cost us a trip to another part of Poland and probably a bit more nerves.

What distinguishes Sosnowiec?

• Sosnowiec consists of as many as 19 districts! Such an extensive administrative division is the result of the gradual growth and absorption of successive villages. This means that each district has its own unique history and character.
• Zagórze, the northern district of the city, has a population of almost 50,000, making it the largest district in the city. What's more, Zagórze is also one of the oldest districts, first mentioned in 1228.
• In the largest district of the city there is also... supposedly the shortest inhabited street in Poland. We are, of course, talking about Leopold Infeld Street in Zagórze, which is only 25 metres long! What's more, there is only one house on the street and it is the fence of this one property that determines the length of the entire street. To make things even more interesting, the solitary building is numbered 8a, as buildings numbered 1-7 have been demolished.
• There are as many as 4 Wag Street in Sosnowiec. What's more, they are all located in Kazimierz! In addition, there are also two housing estates with the same name. This is because the main Walowa Street belongs to the city, while the other, diverging streets belong to the housing community there.

In addition ...

• Jan Kiepura, the famous Polish singer and actor, was born and raised in Sosnowiec.
• One of the most fascinating curiosities of Sosnowiec is the existence of the so-called Triangle - a place where the borders of three countries, Prussia, Austria and Russia, met between 1846 and 1915. This historical point, also known as the Triangle of Emperors, is commemorated today by an obelisk.

Are you planning to come to Sosnowiec? If so, be sure to take a look at the offer of our hotel.