Introducing Opole
Halfway between Katowice and Wrocław, Opole lies on the border of Upper and Lower Silesia, but generally considers itself part of its own Opole Silesia (Śląsk Opolski) and is the capital of its own voivodeship called Opolskie. The region is known for an active German minority, one of the few communities of its kind to survive the war. They number about 45, 000 and are represented in local government.
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The first Slav stronghold was built here in the 9th century. In the 13th century Opole became the capital of its principality and was ruled by a line of Silesian Piasts until 1532, even though it was part of Bohemia from 1327. Later, Opole fell to Austria, then to Prussia, and after significant destruction in WWII returned to Poland in 1945.
Today Opole is a fairly large regional industrial centre best known for the National Festival of Polish Song (Krajowy Festiwal Piosenki Polskiej), which has taken place annually in June since 1963 and is broadcast nationwide on TV.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
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Re: Recommended English Language Schools in Poland?
by WildRoo 09 October 2011
As a Canadian citizen I worked for a language school in Opole in south-western Poland in 2004-2005. I was there in the transition period…
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RE: Is there enough to do in Wroclaw for 3.5 days?
by sihi 15 February 2009
Hi! It is enough for 3,5 days. You can do day-trip as mentioned, there is lots of interesting sights around (Ksiaz castle, Opole) …
