The city was first mentioned in 1120, but founded in the 11th century. The origin of the term ‘Czestochowa’ connects with the name Czestoch, who may have been its founder. In the 14th century, it gained the status of a city, since 1502 under the Magdeburg Law.

Intense development began with the arrival of the Pauline Order from Hungary in the late 14th century. They founded the monastery on the top of Jasna Gora Hill. Two years later, the monks received the icon of the Black Madonna. It soon began to draw in many pilgrims. The first brick-and-stone sanctuary emerged in the 15th century. It changed into a fortress after construction of the defensive walls in the 17th century.

Role of the Monastery

The Pauline monastery played an important role during the Swedish invasion in 1655. It got named “Deluge”, when for several months around 4,000 Swedes besieged its 250 defenders. They failed to conquer the hill. The winners' determination spread to the rest of the country, which earlier hardly resisted the invaders. In the 18th century, Jasna Gora was again a place of battle. It served as a fortress for anti-Russian Bar Confederation insurgents. Kazimierz Pulaski led them. He was a later hero of the American War for Independence.

After the German occupation

After the Second Partition of Poland, Czestochowa became part of Prussia. During the Napoleonic Wars, the Emperor of France incorporated it into the Duchy of Warsaw. Following 1815, Czestochowa was within the borders of the Polish Kingdom, dependent on Russia. The 19th century brought rapid growth to the city. In 1819, construction began on today’s main street and thoroughfare, Avenue of St Virgin Mary. The opening of the Warsaw - Vienna railway in 1846 also stimulated the city's development, linking it with the rest of Europe. Many new factories emerged.

After the German occupation during World War I, the town became part of the independent Poland. It lost its importance as the steelworks and mines of the nearby city of Katowice proved to be more efficient. In 1939, Nazis captured the town and annexed it to the General Government. During World War II, practically the entire Jewish community of about 40,000 people perished.

After World War II

The Red Army that entered Czestochowa in January 1945 saved the Pauline monastery, then mined with bombs by Germans. After the war, industrialization of the city continued. The 19th century steelworks of Czestochowa expanded. Today, the city remains an important industrial and academic center.