Bolesławiec

The former Bunzlau has been Pirna's twin city since 1980. Founded in 1201, Bolesławiec lies in the northwestern part of Lower Silesia. The district town of around 40,000 inhabitants with a historically restored old town center is located on the River Bober, a tributary of the Oder, which has its source in the nearby Giant Mountains. The fact that Bolesławiec was severely destroyed during three eras of war is no longer visible in the town.

Mineral resources such as clay, kaolin and glass sand found in the surrounding area and its geographical location on an ancient trade route leading to Poland, Bohemia and Germany allowed trade and industry to flourish as early as the Middle Ages. The pottery trade in particular developed from the 15th century onwards. The ceramic industry still shapes the town's economy today. A cultural expression of the long-standing pottery tradition is the ceramics festival held in August, which is regularly attended by representatives from Pirna.