Radom – the 14th most populated city in Poland, situated 100km south of
the capital of Poland, Warsaw. It is a place with rich and complicated history
which can be clearly seen in the city’s unique layout showing the individual
stages of its development. If you want to do sightseeing in Radom, start with
its oldest part dating back to early Middle Ages and then walk forward,
following the next epochs in the city’s development.
Our walk starts in Piotrówka – a large meadow on a hill by the river Mleczna, where the remains of
the oldest wooden settlement in the area ( 10th c.) can be found. The settlement’s name “Piotrówka”
derives from St Peter’s Church which was built here about 1100 – the first Christian church in the
area. The settlement grew in strength and importance as it was located on the trade route that
connected Russia and Western Europe. That is why the neighbouring area evolved into a craftmarket settlement.
In the 13th century St Venzel’s Church was built. It is the oldest historic monument in Radom, which
has been preserved until now. In 19th century it served as a prison for those citizens who fought for
independence from Russian occupants, later a hospital was located here.
In 14th c. king Casimir the Great founded New Radom – moving the new town centre
a few hundreds meters further, to the area now occupied by the Main Square. New Radom
had a castle and it was surrounded by fortified walls with three gates. There are only remains
of them visible in Wałowa Street. The former castle functioned as the residence of a travelling
royal court. Many significant events in Polish history took place here. The most important are:
1401 – signing a union between Poland and Lithuania
1481-1483 – Prince Casimir the Jagiellonian lived at the castle and ruled Poland. Now he is a
Saint and is a patron of Radom.
1505 – the Seym voted for “Nihil Novi” Constitution for Poland
As the town developed, new churches were erected during the Middle Ages. They were: St
John’s Church- Fara of New Radom on the foundation of King Casimir the Great. It was a
Gothic temple made of brick. Outside city walls the Bernardine church and monastery was
built in 14th century. First it was a wooden church, later brick bulildings were erected.
The 17th century brought the Black death, a great fire and the occupation of Swedish forces
which ransacked the city during the Polish – Swedish War.
At the end of 18th century Radom was a neglected place with ruined city walls, devastated
houses and dirty streets. Soon, a plan was ratified how to rebuilt the town and change it into a
modern city. The town spread beyond its medieval boundaries eastwards, along Lubelska
(now Żeromskiego) Street. It become the new centre and the representative district of the
town. The most impressive landmark was the building of the authorities of the Province of
Sandomierz designed by a famous architect, Antonio Corazzi. Now it houses the City
Council.
The 19th century brought major changes in Radom, as many industries developed: metal
founding, glass manufactureand especially leather industry which in the future was to become
the most important branch of industry in the city.
The development of industry continued after the First World War when Radom became a
centre of armaments, tobacco, metal and telephone industry.
The town’s active development stopped with the beginning of the Second World War.
Massive executions took place in the town and the Jewish community (before the War 40% of
all citizens were Jews) was persecuted with the creation of ghetto and the destruction of a
synagogue. Radom’s ghetto was liquidated in 1942 and the Nazis took around 30 000 Jews to
the concentration camp in Treblinka. There is a monument to commemorate these events at
the place where the synagogue was formerly located, in Bóźniczna Street.
After 1945 Radom remained the centre of various industries. It was a prosperous city and the
capital of Radomskie voivodship. The most important event in post-war history of Radom
was the workers’ protest in June 1976. The protest against rising the prices of staple articles
by the government led to riots and massive arrests of the protesters.
In June 1991 Pope John Paul II visited the city.
The transformation to capitalist economy in the 1990s led to closing of most factories and
massive unemployment. After long years of depression now the city regains its beauty and a
prominent position on the cultural, economical and tourist map of Poland.
More places to see:
1.The Malczewski City Museum – presenting Radom’s history and a rich collection of
paintings by Jacek Malczewski, one of the most famous symbolist painters in Poland who was
born in Radom.
2. Resursa Cultural Centre – built in the mid-19th century, a cultural centre where balls,
performances and concerts were held. In front of Resursa there is a monument of Jacek Malczewski.
3. Radom’s Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Mary –built at the turn of 19th and 20th century in neo-gothic
style, it is a basilica with a nave, 2 aisles and two 72-meter towers.
4. Tadeusz Kościuszko Park - next to the cathedral. A perfect place of relaxation for many Radom’s
inhabitants. At the entrance there is a monument of Jan Kochanowski, the founder of modern Polish
language and great Renaissance poet connected with Radom’s area.
5. Open Air Village Museum – buildings representing rural architecture of 19th and 20th century are
located in natural landscape. Houses are equipped with original tools, pottery and furniture. There
are windmills and forges. You can see a collection of old country vehicles and beehives.
EVENTS:
1. The Air Show –
The biggest Polish and Central-European International Air Show held every two years since
2000. The show attracts hundreds of thousands visitors from all over Poland. They can
admire static displays of aircrafts as well as sophisticated shows of the best aerobatic teams
in the air. Other associated exhibitions include: display of defence industry equipment, photo
exhibition, meetings with historians and aviation writers and even politicians. The whole
event enjoys high recognition by the aviation specialists and fans and is made well known by
the media. For several years the event is under patronage of the President of the Republic of
Poland.
2. International Gombrowicz Festival
The International Gombrowicz Festival in Radom was created in 1993. It is organized by the
Jan Kochanowski Theatre of Radom. The festival is a major theatre event in Poland and
welcomes productions and companies from many different countries. It is
an interdisciplinary event, combining theatre, science, criticism, arts, music and film. Rita
Gombrowicz, the writer's widow has always supported the festival.
The region of Radom is the writer's family area. The Gombrowicz family had their estate in
the nearby Małoszyce, where Witold was born; his brother Jerzy lived in a mansion at Wsola
near Radom (now housing the Gombrowicz Museum) in 1924-1939, and the author of
Ferdydurke came to spend a few weeks there almost every summer.
3. The Tradition Street
Every September in one street near Resursa Culture Centre you can travel in time. You will be
taken back to the 20s and 30s of the 20th century. The atmosphere of those times is created
by men and women wearing clothes from that period, there is an old automobiles race,
concerts and shows. Visitors can buy old postcards, stamps, books and antiques.
4. The Bread Festival
It is held every autumn in the Open Air Museum. One of the most important elements of the
event is a parade with harvest wreaths, as well as a competition for the prettiest and most
interesting wreath. Folk art fair takes place here, as well as baked products and honey
products fairs; in the farms, regional dishes are prepared. Everything is accompanied by folk
music performed by regional bands. The Festival has been organized annually since 1999 by
the Radom Bakers’ Guild and the Museum of Rural Life in Radom.
5. Every year a historian from Dionizy Czachowski Secondary School, Przemysław Bednarczyk,
organizes a few re-enactments of battles, for example the victorious Battle of Warsaw 1920
or the scenes from the January Uprising of 1863. It is a perfect occasion to admire soldiers’
historic uniforms, sabre fights and impressive pyrotechnic special effects. These shows are
not only great entertainment but an important lesson of history and patriotism as well.