The Hotel “Austria,” which was located on the corner of Archduchess Stefania (now 25 Głęboka) and Browarna Streets, had its golden period in 1888–1891, when Archduke Eugeniusz, who served in the local garrison, lived in Cieszyn. “Austria” was his favourite spot in the town. Later Chief of State Józef Piłsudski, who was in Austrian service in 1914 and organised the Polish Legions, also stayed overnight at the Hotel “Austria”. Not far from the stop, almost simultaneously with the tram, an impressive theatre building was erected (now the Adam Mickiewicz Theatre). Emperor Franz Joseph also contributed to the project. The Theatre was opened in 1910. The neo-Baroque building is pleasing to the eye, but the issue of municipal funding cast a shadow over the Cieszyn theatre from the very beginning. The First World War brought about significant changes to the situation.
The headquarters of the Austrian army was located in Cieszyn, and more than 700 officers enjoyed going to the theatre in the evenings as an alternative to spending time in cafés, restaurants or brothels.
Scenes from Andrzej Wajda’s The Promised Land (1976), among others. were filmed in the building.
author: Michael Morys-Twarowski
