Bytom

Bytom is one of Upper Silesia's oldest towns. A fortified settlement stood here by the eleventh century, and the town received its charter in 1254. Roads linking Kraków with Silesia and Hungary with lands to the north crossed in its vicinity, bringing trade to the market. In 1281 Bytom became the seat of a separate Piast duchy, with a castle erected for its rulers.

The duchy acknowledged Bohemian overlordship in 1289 and was reunited with Opole in 1498. In 1460 a Polish–Bohemian friendship treaty was signed at Bytom. The town later passed under the Habsburg monarchy and, after 1623, into the hands of the Donnersmarck family. King John III Sobieski and Queen Marie Casimire visited in 1683 as the king travelled towards Vienna. Bytom became Prussian in 1742 during the Silesian Wars.