Ultimate Boleslawiec Poland Guide – The Charm of Boleslawiec Pottery

Boleslawiec Poland Travel Guide

Boleslawiec Poland Travel Guide
Boleslawiec Poland Travel Guide

Bolesławiec, located in the northwest part of Silesia, has a rich history that dates back to the 13th century. The city was founded around 1190 by Bolesław I the Tall, who granted the city numerous privileges.

The name is derived from the Slavic name “Bolesław,” meaning “very famous.” It honors the city’s founder.

Over the centuries, the city was ruled by Bohemia (1392) and Prussia (1742). After World War II, it became part of Poland following the Potsdam Conference in 1945.

Boleslawiec Pottery

Boleslawiec pottery
Boleslawiec pottery

The Boleslawiec pottery is a symbol of Poland. It’s very popular among both Poles and tourists looking for a souvenir from the Vistula Land. The Boleslawiec Pottery Days have become a fixture on Lower Silesia’s cultural agenda.

The Boleslawiec Pottery Days, which take place once a year at the end of August, are the most important cultural event in Boleslawiec.

It’s a town in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship whose history dates back to the Middle Ages. The event shows how important the ceramic industry and craftsmanship are for the region. Its popularity is so big that it has reached the status of a European tourist attraction.

The interest in the pottery days is growing from year to year. In 2013, over 100,000 people participated in the event. In 2014 there were up to 150,000 visitors from all over Poland and the world.

Small and Large Ceramic Plants

In the town, which has less than 40,000 inhabitants, there are over 20 ceramic manufacturing plants. These range from small family companies to big factories employing several hundred people. One of these is the “Boleslawiec” Pottery Plant. It’s one of the biggest manufacturers of hand-crafted and hand-decorated tableware pottery. A unique stamping technique is in use producing its ceramics. But the town is Poland’s capital of not only the ceramic industry but also clay modeling art.

Boleslawiec Pottery Days

By organizing the pottery days, people became aware that clay was useful not only for producing cups and saucers but also for making art. The International Open Air Ceramic and Sculpturing Workshops, organized in this town for over 50 years, are the best proof. Exhibitions of works created during the workshops are one of the main attractions of the Boleslawiec Pottery Days.

The “Ceramic Wave” Parade inaugurates the festival on Friday. This is the only ceramic carnival in the world, gathering thousands of disguised participants. The dress code includes clothes in cobalt blue, the color of the traditional little stamps that decorate the pottery.

The next day is the clay day. The Clay Parade (Gliniada) organized on this occasion gathers people in fancy costumes decorated with clay, called Clay People (Glinoludy). Initiated by Bogdan Nowak, a local artist, the Clay Parade has participated in this year’s Carnival of Cultures in Berlin, where it came ninth out of 90 teams.

The event’s program also includes concerts, ceramic workshops, shows of traditional pottery techniques, and championships in rolling the potter’s wheel.

 

Bazylika Maryjna

Bazylika Maryjna
Bazylika Maryjna

The Bazylika Maryjna, also known as St. Mary’s Basilica, is an iconic building in Boleslawiec, Poland. Its construction dates back to the 1200s, although it has undergone several reconstructions due to historical events, including the Hussite wars. The basilica features an imposing white-painted interior and stands as a testament to the city’s rich architectural heritage.

Address: Kościelna 3

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