Silesia (Polish: Śląsk, Czech: Slezsko) is a historical landscape, which today is mainly located in the extreme southwest of Poland, but in parts also on the territory of Germany and the Czech Republic. By far the most significant river is the Oder. To the south, Silesia is bordered mainly by the Sudeten and Beskid mountain ranges. Today, almost 8 million people live in Silesia. The largest cities in the region are Wrocław, Opole and Katowice. Before 1945, most of the region was part of Prussia for two hundred years, and before the Silesian Wars (from 1740) it was part of the Habsburg Empire for almost as many years. Silesia is classified into Upper and Lower Silesia.
Through its activities and events around its exhibitions and collections, the DIZ helps to preserve and illustrate Silesian cultural heritage. To this end, the center maintains contact with museums in Germany and abroad. As a meeting point and educational facility for Germans and Poles, it makes an important contribution to fostering understanding across European countries. Cross-border cooperation with Polish and Czech universities also plays a central role through the joint organization of seminars. The DIZ also sees itself as a service provider for science and research. It supports scientists, students and other interested parties in their research work.
In addition, HAUS SCHLESIEN operates a branch office in
Lubiąż (German: Leubus) is a part of the municipality Wołów (German: Wohlau) in the Polish voivodeship Lower Silesia. The village became famous mainly because of the Cistercian monastery Leubus.
