Two towns became one city
"Bielsko Biala 1"
Once Bielsko and Biala were two different cities, even situated in different countries. In the 13th century Bielsko was founded as Bielitz; the town was populated by German immigrants. The river Biala was a natural border with Poland. The Polish Biala was fouded later as a village and became a town in 1723. In 1772 Biesko and Biala became part of the Austrian province Galicia. In the 19th century the city was well known because of its wool and textile industry. In 1918 Bielsko and Biala became Polish towns again. In 1951 Bielsko Biala definitive became one city.
At the photo a look at Biala town from the bridge across the river Biala, 14-07-2006.
"Bielsko Biala 2"
Trading activities at the bridge across the river Biala. At the background some houses of Bielsko, 14-07-2006.
"Bielsko Biala 3"
Another pic of Biala from the bridge across the river Biala, 14-07-2006.
There is still a lot of restauration work to do, but Bielsko Biala has a lot to offer to toursist. Two town centres and two marktet squares make Bielsko Biala a unique place.

Okay where to next..........
Biala, seen from the bridge across the river
Bielsko-Biala street