Within 500 km (311 mi) of Wodzisław Śląski are the capital cities of six countries: Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Bratislava, Budapest and Warsaw.

Rich excavations the oldest finds dated back to the Stone Age give evidence about its ancient inhabitants.

The city's origins can be traced back into the 10th and 11th century, when three Slavic settlements existed on Wodzisław's present-day territory which eventually merged to form one town.

In the course of the medieval eastward migration of Flemish and German settlers (Ostsiedlung), Wodzisław, as many other Polish settlements, was incorporated (granted city status and right) according to the so-called Magdeburg Law at some point before 1257 (the exact date remains unknown).

[2] This, however, is not to be confused with a change in national affiliation; Wodzisław continued to be part of the Kingdom of Poland, until most of Silesia became a fiefdom of the Bohemian crown in 1327.

At the beginning of the War of the Austrian Succession between King Frederick II of Prussia (the Great) and the Habsburg empress Maria Theresa of Austria, the greatest part of Silesia, including Wodzisław, was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia in 1740, which Austria eventually recognized in 1763.

Amidst an atmosphere of ethnic unrest, a referendum was organized to determine the future national affiliation of Upper Silesia.

Within the Second Polish Republic of the interwar period, Wodzisław was part of the Silesian Voivodeship, which enjoyed far-reaching political and financial autonomy.

With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Wodzisław was invaded and then occupied by Germany, being in the part of Poland that was directly incorporated into the German state.

Wodzisław Śląski is situated at the junction of several major lines of road, railway and air communication.

In contrast to the central part of the Upper Silesian industry area, located a short distance to the north, Wodzisław enjoys the reputation of a "green" city having a relatively clean environment.

The Beskidy Mountains, a popular recreational area for skiing, are within one-hour drive also 10 km (6 mi) from town along the Odra river are interesting natural reserve and at summer places for swimming.