Siewierskie Panny Fountain (Maidens of Siewierz)

"From Siewierz came a cart, carrying painted maidens" – almost everyone in Poland knows this song from the repertoire of the Śląsk Song and Dance Ensemble. In Siewierz you can actually see the maidens: two bronze figures of dancing girls in folk costume decorate the fountain in the middle of the market square. It is a short, free stop, but with a good story behind it.

History: a 1276 square and a folk-ensemble hit

The market square was laid out when Siewierz received town rights under Magdeburg law in 1276, on an important route from Kraków to Greater Poland and Opole. From 1523 to 1870 a town hall stood in its centre; its outline is now marked in red granite paving. In 2008–2009 the square was rebuilt to a design by the PUA studio from Olkusz – archaeologists uncovered the old town hall's foundations during the works. That is when the fountain with the Siewierz maidens was installed. The music of the song was written by Stanisław Hadyna, long-time director of the Śląsk ensemble, and the lyrics by Zdzisław Pyzik.

What to see

• Two dancing bronze maidens in folk costume, their skirts swirling.
• The Hadyna and Pyzik bench next to the fountain, with figures of the composer and the lyricist – sit down beside them for a photo.
• A pedestal with the song lyrics nearby – the town invites visitors to sing along.
• The town hall outline in red granite on the square, and house no. 22, where Tsar Alexander I stayed in 1823.

Tripto tip

The fountain is in a public space, so you can see it free of charge at any time; 10–15 minutes is enough for photos. You are most likely to see the water running in the warm season. Combine the visit with the ruins of the castle dating from around 1300 and St Matthias church with its Bishop's Gate near the square; from national road 1 you can see the Romanesque church of St John the Baptist, around 900 years old. Siewierz is also known for its roast goose.