LUBLINIEC
The etymology of the name of Lubliniec is connected with a legend handed down over generations. According to it the name of the town originates from the words uttered by Władysław I Opolczyk, who, when hunting in the local woods, was to say ”I like the idea of building a town and a church here” (association between ”Lubliniec” and a Polish verb ”lubić” – to like). These very words are believed to constitute the origin of the name Lubliniec. To the name a secondary ending -ec was added to differentiate Lubliniec from Lublin located in the Małopolska region.
The town and municipality of Lubliniec are located in the north-western part of the Silesian province, in the middle section of the Woźniki Hummock. The town is 56 km away from the capital of the province – Katowice, 35 km away from Częstochowa and
50 km from Opole.
Lubliniec has a favourable location in terms of its traffic connections. In the town there is a large railway junction, connecting Katowice with Poznań and Częstochowa with Opole. The area of the district is also intersected with the main routes of road transport, making this town an important strategic point on the map of Poland.
The town of Lubliniec, located at the Lublinica river, encompasses an area of 98.8 km2, nearly 70% of which are forest areas, 20% are occupied by agricultural grounds and
11% constitute investment grounds. The population of the city equals ca. 24 thousand.
The largest companies are: the ”Lentex” Plant, known not only in Poland, manufacturing floor covering and nonwoven fabric, as well as ”Energoservice”, rendering services for the benefit of the Polish and the world’s power engineering industry.
The cultural sphere must also be mentioned here as it encourages inhabitants to participate actively in the life of the town. The animators of activities in this field are, for example, the Municipal Cultural Centre and the Józef Lompa Municipal and District Public Library. In the town there are numerous cyclic events organized, such as the All-Poland’s Festival of the Polish Tourist Song ”Chlapa”, the Dancesport Tournament ”For a Teddy Bear”, Review of Children’s Art of Artistic Groups, Review of Brass Orchestras of Voluntary Fire Brigades, district eliminations of the festival ”Silesian Singing”, the Lubliniec Film Summer and a cycle of events Europe in Lubliniec. In the nearby Koszęcin, a world-famous Song and Dance Ensemble ”Śląsk” has placed its seat. Since 1946 a Song and Dance Ensemble ”Halka” has been operating in Lubliniec. In the town there also function recognized parish choirs: St. Cecile choir, operating since 1926, and St. Stanisław Kostka choir established in 1945, as well as a Vocal and Instrumental Ensemble ”Nadzieja”, a Youth Brass Orchestra and a Choir and Musical Ensemble conducted by Krzysztof Gębała. A cultural pearl of the town is the National Music School of the 1st degree, which boasts titled graduates and wonderful musical events.
The Lubliniec land, located amongst woods and numerous water reservoirs, far from industrial centres full of smoke and noise, is called a ”Green Silesia”, as well as ”Green Lungs of Silesia”. Thanks to these advantages the town has excellent conditions to practice various forms of recreation, especially cycling, trekking, water sports and cultural tourism. The Lubliniec land is also a wonderful spot for organizers of annual competitions of dog harnesses, which attract breeders and lovers of husky dogs from Poland and the whole Europe.
The town also promotes walking tourism. For the fans of this form of recreation, tourists routes have been laid out, leading through Lubliniec. These are:
• The trail of Silesian Uprisings (green trail), 73.7 km-long, leading from Woźniki to Dobrodzień;
• The trail of Natural Monuments (yellow trail), 61.2 km-long, leading from Boronowo to Ciasna;
• The Józef Lompa trail (blue trail), 83.7 km.
These trails are also available for cyclists.
