From the commune's past...

The origin of many towns of our commune reaches medieval times. Although they were already inhabited in the first millennium of our era, their gradual progress was being dated since 13th century. The oldest villages are: Goleszow and Puncow – first records related to them come from 1223. Next notices from 1305 are concerning: Cisownica, Dziegielow, Kozakowice and Leszna. Kisielow was first time mentioned in 1434, Godziszow in 1445, record about Bazanowice appears latest, in 1523.

The development of towns belonging currently to Goleszow commune was influenced by various factors and its them that were just shaping its face.

Puncow, Cisownica and partly Goleszow were owned by duke, other villages were longer or shorter belonging to the noble families. In 18th century all of them came into possession of Habsburgs. Within a short period of time they were changed into parcels.

Goleszow had the farming town character, although the lime was being burned out here since a long time and at the end of 19th century cement plant was built, of which products, mainly waterproof cement, were known in the world.

Architecture monuments are worth the attention, mainly sacred buildings.

First record about the Goleszow's church comes from 1293. Initially it was wooden. Brick church was built in 15th century that after many remakes survived until 1921, when it has been knocked down. Some of its architectonic pieces are located in Cieszyn's museum.

Current St. Michael Archangel's Catholic church, built in the neo-baroque style comes from before the first World War (then the construction has started) and the vicarage from the half of 19th century. Evangelical church was first being built in 1785, it was wooden, covered with shingles, without tower and of course without bells, because it was at that time prohibited by Austro Hungarian monarchy resolutions regarding protestant churches. Currently used has a neo-Roman building character with the three-naval interior, neo-baroque pulpit and altar. Vicarage with vaulted interiors built at the end of 18th century is located next to the church. Inside the church and vicarage a movie “Loneliness in two” was filmed.

The St. Jerzy's church in Puncow was built in 1518. Despite the later reworks the features of Gothic architecture were sustained.

The brick church was erected in 1731 on the mild slope in Upper Leszna, in place of old, wooden one. Interior has a baroque character. Renaissance figure epitaph of the knight from 16th century (Jan Czelo) can be found behind the main altar.

The magnificent building is situated at the parting of the ways: Cisownica – Dziegielow – Leszna that reaches 15th century, rebuilt many times, it is a castle in Dziegielow. It has lost its castellum with the courtyard Renaissance character as the result of building and conversion works. Evangelical churches in Cisownica, Bazanowice and Puncow were being built according to the contemporary architectonic patterns. Cisownica and Upper Leszna as towns beautifully located at mountains foothills and amidst the hills, had shepherding villages character, Puncow, Dziegielow and Bazanowice were falling towards Cieszyn located nearby, where the residents that had nothing to do with farming found their jobs. Other towns of commune – Kisielow, Godziszow and Kozakowice are farming villages.In the cement plant and quarry during war, the Auschwitz camp prisoners were employed, mainly Jews. Approximately over 1000 people worked there. Sub-camp was closed down in January 1945. Tragic lots of prisoners, mainly those transported by train, were described in Thomas Keneally book “The Schindler's list”.