Leaving legend aside, the name Opole originates from the old Polish word “opole”, meaning an ancestral territorial community. Another explanation of the origin of the city’s name is that it comes from the simple word “pole” (field in English).

As the legend goes, there once lived a tribal lord who had lost his way while hunting in the thick woods, and when he came across a settlement, he cried “O! Pole!”. Following that, he decided to start a city there.

With a known history dating back to the 9th century, it’s one of the oldest towns in Poland. A “Bavarian geographer” was the first to describe the town of the Opolanie), on the river Oder. But the origins of Opole as a town connected with the signing of a document giving it the rights of a town in 1217 by Kazimierz I, grandson of the Polish king, Boleslaw Krzywousty.

In this way, Opole became the capital of the Opole-Raciborz Principality. In 1283, Kazimierz I ordered the building of a family house, known as the Piast Castle, on Pasieka Island. The city’s position on the junction of several main trade routes helped generate steady profits from transit trade.

Opole becomes part of Prussia

Following the death of the last ruler of the Piast dynasty, Opole became part of Brandenburg and later Prussia. Under Prussian control, a strong inflow of settlers from Germany accelerated the process of intense Germanization.

In 1751 Opole was home to 1,186 people. After establishing the regency seat here in 1816, the town began to develop. The first railway connection linking Opole with Brzeg and Wroclaw started services in 1843. Beginning with the creation of the first cement factory in 1859, the cement industry continues to contribute to the development and prosperity of Opole.

After the division of Silesia in 1922, Opole together with a large part of Upper Silesia remained on the German side. On March 24, 1945, the Polish administration took control over the city, which at that time only had 200 permanent inhabitants. More than 900 houses, most of the industrial plants, and all the bridges perished during the war.

But with the coming of peace, people immediately embarked on rebuilding their town. Opole became a district capital in 1950 and developed ever since.

The Cathedral of The Holy Cross in Opole is a Gothic church with beautiful star vaulting from the mid 16th century. According to the bequest, the first church is from the time of Boleslaw the Brave.

In 1024 the church received the relic of the Holy Cross from Saint Emeryk, the Hungarian prince. In 1232 the church raised to the rank of collegiate church. It became a suffragan cathedral in 1945 and from 1972 a cathedral.

The last rebuilding in the years 1897-1902 resulted in the building of two Neo-Gothic towers, 73 meters in height.

Interior of the Cathedral

Inside among other items of interest are the font with the coat of arms of Opole from the 15th century, the famous miraculous image of the Mother of God of Opole – patron of the diocese and Opole, and the chapel with mausoleum and grave cover of Jan II Dobry, last prince of the family of Opole Piasts.

The only remnant of the Piast Castle in Opole, which Germans demolished in the years 1928-1930. This cylindrical building in the Gothic style, in the original interior of the walls of the castle, is from around the year 1,300, made of stone (faced with brick) and on foundations of field stones of up to 6 meters deep. The tower is 35 meters in height and the lower part of its wall is 3 meters thick.

One entered the tower from the upper story of the castle by ladder and climbed higher by wooden stairs. Todays lower entrance dates from the previous century. The tower’s crown alone changed several times, though it was always conical. Today’s spire is from 1934.

The Polish Song Museum in Opole is a unique place presenting Polish song history. The Polish Tourist Organization recognized it as the “Top Tourist Product of 2016”. Visitors can learn about Polish culture through the history of Polish songs.

It’s the only institution in Poland devoted to the Polish song and protecting its heritage, with particular emphasis placed not only on performers but also on authors themselves.

Visitors receive an audio guide and comfortable headphones. During the tour, they can admire video clips, musical publications, photos, audio, costumes worn by stars, kids’ room, musical exhibits, multimedia library, and more. There are also organized temporary and outdoor exhibitions.

Address	Piastowska 14A, Opole
Telephone	+48 77 441 34 86

The University of Opole is one of 19 public universities in Poland. Although it seems to be a young university – established in 1994 – it has a long academic tradition as a result of joining one of the best Polish pedagogical academies – the Higher Pedagogical College in Opole and Opole branch of the Catholic University in Lublin.

Nowadays our University comprises eight faculties and several other units, which together form a dynamic, modern and committed to the highest standards of teaching academic institution.

The University of Opole expands its educational offer and develops cooperation with academic and business partners both in Poland and abroad. Our students can go on placements and exchanges within the framework of Erasmus+ programme or Europa Master Programme.

They can get various scholarships and grants and can develop their interests and passions taking part in a wide range of activities in the fields of science, sport and culture.