by Jan Pach, Wlodzimierz Robak and Jerzy Tomzinski

In a picturesque range of the limestone hills of the Jura Krakowsko-Czestochowa region, "crowned" with the ruins of castles stretching from Krakow all the way to Wielun, called the Eagle's Nest Trail, there is the city of Czestochowa on the Warta River. According to legend its name derives from the name Czestoch, a Slav who was the settlement's founder. In a document from 1220 the knight's village named "Czestochowa" is mentioned, which received its civic rights before 1377. In the western part of the city. which in the 14th century was called Stara (Old) Czestochowa, there is a 293 meter-high limestone hill, the top of which is covered with a complex of sacred and residential building, surrounded by fortified walls and a park, called Jasna Gora (Luminous Hill).

The "Jasna Gora" (Clarus Mons) term was mentioned for the first time in a document dating from 1388, issued by the starost of Olsztyn, however, it was named "Jasna Gora" by the Pauline Monks, who moved here from Hungary. This name was taken from St. Laurance's Monastary in Jasna Gora of Buda (in Claro Monte Budensi), which was their home friary.

This is an English language guide is filled with beautiful color photos, historical background, maps and information for anyone planning to visit Czestochowa.