Bielszowice (German: Bielschowitz) 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.[1] 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.[2] It was a seat of a Catholic parish in Diocese of Kraków, established probably around 1440.[2] The village was annexed by Prussia in the 18th century, and from 1871 it was also part of Germany. 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.
Bielszowice constituted a gmina (municipality) that was merged into Nowy Bytom in 1951,[6] and as part of Nowy Bytom was amalgamated with Ruda to form Ruda Śląska on December 31, 1958.[7]