

It has grown to be the largest Polish festival in the country, visited by over 35,000 people annually. This neighborhood is also home to The Polish Museum of America and other historic Polish buildings and churches.Įach summer, the annual Taste of Polonia festival features live music on four stages, cooking classes, carnival rides, exhibits, local vendors, craft beer tents, and tons and tons of traditional food. The historic church is open 24/7, so make sure to take a peek inside at the stunning architecture. In the late 19th century, it was the largest parish in the country boasting a congregation of more than 40,000 people. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, often referred to as the “mother church” of Chicago’s Polish community.
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You’ll find a charming green space filled with families, a historic field house, and a free public pool.Īcross the park, you’ll the striking clock tower of St. Next, head toward Pulaski Park, named for a Polish hero from the Revolutionary War. Stop in to fill up on steaming plates of pierogis, blintzes, sausage, soups, potato pancakes, and more. Right across the street, you’ll spot your first hint that you’re in Polish downtown - Podhalanka, an old-school neighborhood restaurant serving homemade Polish specialties. Hop off the CTA Blue Line at Division and Milwaukee, which lets you off in the heart of the Polish Triangle. Today, the spot is still known as the Polish Triangle and is a good jumping off point for a day of exploring Chicago’s Polish history. The heart of Old Polonia was around where Division, Milwaukee, and Ashland Avenues intersect. Many gathered on the city’s west side, in an area that would become known as “Old Polonia”. These immigrants settled all over the city, forming Polish neighborhoods in several different areas. Chicago’s Polish heritage Taste of PoloniaĬhicago’s Polish community began forming around the 1850s, when large waves of immigrants began migrating to the area. The Polish population here is one of the largest in the world outside of Poland, bringing proud Polish tradition, dining options, and history to every corner of Chicago. Chicago is home to a thriving Polish community that has been an integral part of our city’s culture for generations.
