In the Czech part of Cieszyn Silesia, a diverse group of sites has been preserved which bear witness to the region’s Polish identity and its endurance despite changes to borders, social and cultural structures. Alongside numerous war memorials from the First and Second World Wars, roadside crosses and shrines, there are also secular and artistic forms of commemoration which serve as a reminder of the presence and contribution of Poles to life in this region.

In Karviná, there is a plaque dedicated to Jan Olszak, a distinguished social activist and journalist, which we discuss in a separate study.

Among the most interesting are the monuments and plaques dedicated to figures associated with culture and the social movement. In Bogumin there is a monument to Ludwik Zamenhof, the founder of Esperanto – a language which, for a short time, enjoyed keen interest here amongst working-class and educational circles. In Olbrachcice, a boulder has been erected with a plaque commemorating Jan Tacina and Henryk Jasiczek – poets and national activists whose creative work and public activities played a significant role in shaping Polish national consciousness in Zaolzie.

In the town centre of Český Těšín, a plaque has been preserved commemorating the Workers’ House – a venue for meetings, education and cultural life within the Polish community. In Karviná-Kopalnie, there is a plaque marking the site of the former party headquarters , which for decades served as the centre of local political activity. In Olbrachcice and Albrechcice, meanwhile, we can find traces commemorating local community activists – including a plaque dedicated to Karol Śliwka, a graphic artist, designer and promoter of Polish visual culture.

A symbol of the enduring presence of Polish musical culture in Zaolzie remains the Fryderyk Chopin monument in Bogumin , unveiled as a tribute to Poland’s heritage within European culture. Meanwhile, plaques on former Polish schools – in Karviná-Ráj, Mosty near Jablonków, Ligotka Kameralna and Bystrzyca – serve as a reminder of the network of educational institutions which, for decades, nurtured the Polish language and tradition in the region.

In recent decades , new forms of artistic commemoration have also emerged . In Český Těšín stands the contemporary sculpture ‘Słownik’ , which refers to the idea of understanding and language as a shared space for cultures. In the Sculpture Park , one can view works by Polish artists that form part of the broader trend of cross-border dialogue in contemporary art.

In a religious context, memorials to clergy and individuals who have made significant contributions to the region’s ecclesiastical and social life hold an important place. In Karviná-Kopalnie, there is a plaque on the church dedicated to Father Jędrzej Hałesz, a long-serving parish priest and defender of Polish identity during a time of social upheaval. In Sucha Górna, a plaque to Józef Dostal (1826–1873) has been preserved , commemorating the religious and national traditions of the town. In Bogumin , a monument to John Paul II has been erected , which has become a modern symbol of the bond between the communities of the faithful on both sides of the Olza.

In many parishes across the region – including in Błędowice Dolne, Bystrzyca, Hawierzów, Nawsiu and Ligotka Kameralna – foundation inscriptions in Polish have been preserved , commemorating the donors and founders of churches, chapels and sacred furnishings.

All these sites, scattered across Cieszyn Silesia, form a multi-layered map of memory of the Polish presence on the Czech side of the Olza River – a map in which the interweaving of history, faith, language and art continues to shape the rhythm of the region’s cultural heritage.

List of sites commemorating the Polish presence in the Czech part of Cieszyn Silesia

Secular memorials:

1. Monument to Ludwik Zamenhof – Bogumin
2. A boulder with a plaque commemorating Jan Tacina and Henryk Jasiczek – Olbrachcice
3. Plaque dedicated to Jan Olszak – Karviná
4. Plaque commemorating Józef Piłsudski’s stay – Jabłonków
5. Plaque commemorating the Workers’ House – Český Těšín
6. Plaque commemorating the former party headquarters – Karviná-Kopalnie
7. A monument to Fryderyk Chopin – Bohumín
8. Plaque dedicated to Karol Śliwka – Olbrachcice
9. Monument to Wincenty Witos – Trzyniec
10. Commemorative plaques at former Polish schools – including Karviná Raj, Mosty near Jabłonków, and Bystrzyca

Artistic commemorations:

1. The ‘Dictionary’ sculpture – Český Těšín
2. Sculptures by Polish artists in the Sculpture Park – Český Těšín

Religious memorials:

1. Plaque dedicated to Father Jędrzej Hałesz – Karviná-Kopalnia
2. Plaque to Józef Dostal (1826–1873) – Sucha Górna
3. Monument to John Paul II – Bogumin
4. Monument to Father Władysław Santarius – Trzanowice
5. Foundation inscriptions in churches – including Bystrzyca, Hawierzów and Nawsie

Monuments, plaques and other commemorations, as well as wayside crosses and statues, are described in separate entries.