Silesia is a historic region in Central Europe, stretching across several modern countries: Czech Republic North Moravia and Silesia — the Czech part of Silesia, around Opava and Ostrava Germany Upper Lusatia – including the bit of Lower Silesia that remained German after 1945, around Görlitz and Hoyerswerda Poland Lower Silesian Voivodeship – the Polish part of former Lower Silesia, around Wrocław Opole Voivodeship – the Western part of former Upper Silesia, around Opole Silesian Voivodeship — the Eastern part of former Upper Silesia, around Katowice Historical travel Austro-Hungarian Empire – ruled most of Silesia from 1526 to 1742 Prussia – ruled most of Silesia from 1742 to 1918/1945