Old towns & squares

Market Square in Skoczów

Skoczów is one of the oldest towns in Cieszyn Silesia, and its quadrilateral market square, with streets leaving from the corners, has kept its medieval layout. Most townhouses date from the second half of the 18th and the 19th century, though they stand on older foundations; after the town fire of 1910 they received Art Nouveau facade decoration.

A town hall with documents in the tower sphere

In the western frontage stands the late-Baroque town hall of 1797, with a tower added in 1801. The facade shows the coats of arms of Skoczów and Duke Albert Casimir of Teschen and the image of St. Jan Sarkander; the clock dates from 1894. In 1995, during renovation works, documents from the 18th and 19th centuries were found in the sphere at the top of the helmet — a customary “capital” hidden in the tower for times of uncertainty. The town hall entered the heritage register in 1953.

A town of a saint and a Triton statue

On the square stands the family home of St. Jan Sarkander, a Baroque martyr, today with a museum bearing his name at number 2. On the square is the Baroque figure of Jonah known as the Triton, carved by the Skoczów burgher Wacław Donay. Marked trails leave the square: the Sarkander, Morcinek and Skoczów monuments routes.

In practice

The square is a good starting point for trips around Cieszyn Silesia — Bistrá and the slopes of Czantoria are close. Cafés and shops operate around it, and townhouses 10, 14, 15 and 16 deserve a look for their facades. Viewing the town hall from outside pairs well with the Sarkander museum and a walk to the Church of the Saviour.