Bielszowice Bielszowice () is a district in the west of Ruda Śląska, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland. In 2006 it had an area of 10.6 km2 and was inhabited by 9,505 people. On January 12, 2006 a part of it was split off to form a new district, Czarny Las. History The settlement was first mentioned in 1452 as Bilechowitz. It was a seat of a Catholic parish in Diocese of Kraków, established probably around 1440. Beginning with the 19th century it was heavily affected by industrial development. Bielszowice Coal Mine was built in years 1896-1904. In 1891 the German state purchased the village from private hands. After World War I in the Upper Silesia plebiscite 4,546 out of 6,461 voters in Bielszowice voted in favour of joining Poland, against 1,874 opting for staying in Germany. Afterwards it became a part of Silesian Voivodeship, Second Polish Republic. It was then annexed by Nazi Germany at the beginning of World War II. After the war it was restored to Poland. Bielszowice constituted a gmina (municipality) that was merged into Nowy Bytom in 1951, and as part of Nowy Bytom was amalgamated with Ruda to form Ruda Śląska on December 31, 1958. People Marian Foik, a Polish athlete; Waldemar Słomiany, a Polish soccer defender; References Category:Districts of Ruda Śląska