The Polish language is often considered one of the toughest languages to learn. Its convoluted combinations of the letters s, c, and z and in addition to peculiar letters like ł or ń would make you want to drink several shots of vodka while smashing your face into a plate of ‘Pierogi.’
If you’ve ever visited Poland, you might have found it tough to explain where you went sightseeing for the utter fact that you couldn’t even properly pronounce the names. The capital city itself is called ‘Warszawa’ and has been altered by English speaking people into Warsaw.
However, some Polish towns were deliberately created to murder your tongue and vocal cords. If you think you are good at tongue-twisters then these ten Polish town names would test your ability.
10. Szczecin
Szczecin is Poland’s seventh-largest city, located in the northwestern part of the country near the Baltic Sea. It’s one of Poland’s major seaports and has a population of roughly 400,000. Szczecin is the highest-profile Polish town on this list, but it’s much easier to pronounce than what’s to come.
9. Rdziostów
Located in southern Poland, Rdziostów has a population of only 431, and those people are the only ones who can pronounce its name properly.
8. Siemianowice Śląskie
This is a town also located in southern Poland. It’s not far from the major city of Katowice and was once a blue-collar industrial town. I hear there’s a brewery here. Gee, I hope so, for the sake of those who have to pronounce this town on a regular basis.
7. Czechowice-Dziedzic
Uh-oh, we have a hyphen in this town-name, and that’s never good. It even rhymes if you pronounce it correctly. This town serves as a major railroad junction between four major lines heading in all directions and lies in southwestern Poland.
6. Pszczyna
Located in southern Poland, Pszczyna is known for its beautiful Renaissance castle and other interesting historical sites. Unfortunately, nobody can figure out how this town got its name, with various scholars debating it to this day. You know the name is convoluted when even the Poles can’t figure out its origin.
5. Dzierżoniów
Ok, I don’t know the deal with south/southwestern Poland, but here is yet another town that has a ridiculous pronunciation down there. Dzierżoniów is named after Jan Dzierżon, who was a Polish priest, scientist, and human tongue twister.
Can You Compete With These 70 People Trying Out 70 Tongue Twisters?
4. Kędzierzyn-Koźle
Another hyphenated town name! Yay! This was once two separate towns—Kożle and Kędzierzyn until they decided their names were not complicated enough and combined in 1975. It’s located in southwestern Poland.
3. Ejszeryszki
This village name looks like the alphabet vomited. It’s located far in northeastern Poland, right on the Lithuanian border. Ejszeryszki is part of Rutka-Tartak county. I know, it sounds like it’s from Star Trek or something.
2. Łęczeszyce
Łęczeszyce is a town near Warsaw in central Poland. All this place is known for is its centuries-old monastery. The monks inside are said to spend hours meditating on how to pronounce the name of the town they live in.
1. Wytrzyszka
And number one on this list is Wytrzyszka. I had the experience of driving through this southern Polish village a few months ago with my cousin and his dad, who decided to put my Polish skills to the test, daring me to read this town name as the car breezed past the welcome sign. I survived this masochistic game, but barely let’s see how you do.
Look at any map of Poland, and you’re bound to find more Polish towns that are spelled to kill. Do you have anything to add to this list? Comment below!
