The Friendship Bridge connecting Cieszyn with Český Těšín, Poland & Czechia, May 2025

After the excitement of our travels to Malta, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, I’ve been enjoying some quieter, grounding time back home in Nowy Sącz. The weather has cooled down a bit—refreshing and gentle, perfect for small adventures and moments of reconnection. There’s a certain peace that comes with returning to familiar places, especially after a whirlwind of discoveries.
 
This week, I made sure to spend quality time with my brother and his family at their home in Nowy Sącz. We caught up, shared stories, and as a small token from Venezuela, I brought them a bottle of Venezuelan rum—a gift carefully chosen by my dear friend Giovanni. Sharing it felt like connecting two different parts of my world, and it was warmly received.
 
A Day Trip Across Borders – Cieszyn & Český Těšín
 
Yesterday, Mum and I, together with our lovely neighbours, set out on a spontaneous road trip to the border city of Cieszyn, which straddles Poland and the Czech Republic. Cieszyn has always fascinated me, not just for its charm, but for its layered, often complex history.
 
Originally a single city, Cieszyn was divided in 1920, after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and a territorial dispute between the newly formed Second Polish Republic and Czechoslovakia. The conflict, known as the Polish–Czechoslovak War, ended in arbitration, splitting the city along the Olza River. Today, Cieszyn lies in Poland and Český Těšín in the Czech Republic. Despite the physical separation, the two towns remain closely intertwined, culturally and socially. It’s a striking example of how borders can divide spaces but not necessarily people.
 
We began our walk on the Polish side, taking in the beauty of the historic market square, the Piast Tower, and the peaceful Olza riverbanks. Crossing the border on foot into Český Těšín felt seamless—no checkpoints, just a symbolic crossing into another chapter of shared heritage.
 
In Český Těšín, we had a delightful lunch at a local restaurant, where we sampled dumplings filled with bryndza—a creamy sheep cheese that’s beloved in this region. Mum and our neighbours also tried some excellent Czech beer, brewed with the care and tradition that the Czech lands are so rightly proud of. The meal was unpretentious, comforting, and truly satisfying—another reminder that simple pleasures often leave the strongest impressions.
 
Through Czechia and Slovakia – A Stop in Žilina
 
Instead of heading straight back, we chose a scenic return route through Czechia and Slovakia, which allowed us to stop in Žilina, a small city nestled in the north-western part of Slovakia. Žilina, located near the confluence of the Váh, Kysuca, and Rajčanka rivers, is a city with a long and intriguing history.
 
First mentioned in 1208, Žilina grew over centuries as a market town and later an industrial hub under Austro-Hungarian rule. Though modest in size, the city boasts a beautifully preserved Old Town, with a central square framed by arcaded houses and the striking Church of the Holy Trinity. We enjoyed a short but rewarding walk, followed by drinks at a relaxed outdoor café—watching locals go about their evening routines in the golden light of early summer.
 
The drive from Žilina back to Nowy Sącz was simply spectacular. As we wound our way through the mountains, we were treated to panoramic views of the Tatras, their peaks still dusted with snow, even in May. The landscape shifted between deep forests, green meadows, and dramatic rock formations—a visual feast that reminded us of how truly beautiful this corner of Europe is.
 
We reached home around 21:00, tired but happy, our heads filled with impressions from the day. It was the kind of trip that balances discovery with simplicity—a local adventure, shared with people we care about, rich in conversation and full of unexpected delight.

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