Summary
As a mining city, Katowice experienced significant growth in the 19th century, driven by its abundant coal seams. The elegant tenement houses in the Śródmieście district were entirely financed by this newfound wealth. Additionally, there are innovative worker settlements such as Nikiszowiec and Giszowiec, where miners and their families enjoyed a high standard of living, which have remarkably preserved their character to this day. Furthermore, a former colliery has been transformed into the Silesian Museum, featuring galleries constructed within old mining tunnels.
The political history of Katowice and the Upper Silesia region is quite intricate, encompassing uprisings, a plebiscite, and an autonomous state within Poland. Fortunately, numerous museums and monuments provide insight into this rich history, alongside a plethora of architectural marvels, from a monumental Neoclassical cathedral to Spodek, a UFO-shaped arena completed in the 1970s.
Let’s explore the best things to do in Katowice:
1. Silesian Museum
Upon approaching the Silesian Museum, the first landmark visible is the towering headframe, which remained dormant after the closure of the Katowice colliery in 1999 following nearly 180 years of operation.
This structure now features an observation platform accessible during the summer months.
The headframe is not the only section of the mine that has been repurposed; four levels of underground tunnels have been transformed into galleries showcasing art, photography, ethnography, archaeology, and more.
The rationale behind placing all exhibitions underground is to preserve the integrity of Silesia’s post-industrial landscape, allowing natural light to filter into the galleries through glass cubicles at the surface.
In a museum as unconventional as this, the exhibition of Polish art from 1800-1945 is particularly noteworthy, featuring works by prominent artists such as Jan Matejko, Piotr Michałowski, and Józef Chełmoński.
2. Nikiszowiec
Just a short walk or a brief bus ride from the center of Katowice lies an exceptional piece of Polish national heritage: an intact urban neighborhood designed for 8,000 miners at the Giesche colliery.
Nikiszowiec was, in fact, a completely self-contained city from its completion in 1918 until it was incorporated into Katowice in 1951. The settlement features interconnected houses, each housing 12 apartments and often linked by arcades at ground level.
In total, there were 1,000 apartments located within beautifully constructed brick buildings that housed shops, a police station, bakeries, a swimming pool, a hotel, a school, and a church nearby.
As a favored filming location, the settlement continues to resemble its appearance a century ago, featuring diverse specialty shops and cafes tucked into the arcades.
3. Museum of the History of Katowice
The main offices of this museum, along with most of its departments, are housed in a tenement building dating back to 1908 on Ulica Szafranka.
If one were to select a setting encapsulating Katowice, this would be an ideal choice, as during this period the city was expanding at a remarkable pace.
The permanent exhibition offers a glimpse into two apartments: one belonging to a wealthy industrialist family, and another representing a moderately affluent member of the new bourgeoisie.
Both apartments are furnished with period furniture, personal artifacts, and equipment that reflect the fashion of the day.
Another exhibition traces the history of Katowice, from its beginnings as a rural settlement in the 1200s to its industrial era in the 20th century.
Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz, one of Poland’s most esteemed artists, is represented within the art collection, which features a complete series of his pastel drawings displayed in a single museum.
4. Kościuszko Park
Named after one of Poland’s national heroes, Kościuszko Park is the most accessible green space if you find yourself in the center of Katowice, expanding from its original six hectares upon its inauguration in 1888 to over 72 hectares today.
Surrounded by an English-style landscape park composed of numerous tree species, the park features well-maintained flowerbeds, a rose avenue, and ornamental pergolas.
Additionally, the park carries compelling wartime narratives; the parachute training tower situated in the park’s southern area, rising to a height of 40 meters, dates back to just before World War II.
It was atop this metal structure that a group of boy scouts mounted a determined defense of the city against the Wehrmacht on September 4, 1939. Should you visit during winter, there is a toboggan run and ski slope available for enjoyment.
5. Silesian Insurgents’ Monument
A landmark that provides context to the local history is this monumental structure dedicated to those involved in the three Silesian Uprisings of 1919, 1920, and 1921. The objective was to compel Upper Silesia to join the newly established Polish state, post-Treaty of Versailles.
Poles constituted 60% of the Upper Silesia population and rebelled thrice against German forces in pursuit of a plebiscite, which occurred in 1921. Unveiled in 1967, the monument reaches a height of 41 meters, comprises 350 individual components, and weighs a total of 61 tons.
Each wing symbolizes one of the uprisings, while accounts of the individual battles are inscribed along the sides.
6. Cathedral of Christ the King
The construction of this grand archcathedral, the largest in Poland, commenced in 1927 and was interrupted by the Second World War.
Ultimately completed in 1955, it features striking Neoclassical architecture, exemplified by a dome soaring 40 meters and an impressive portico.
Despite its classical design, it is a thoroughly modern edifice, constructed of reinforced concrete and clad in dolomite sourced from local quarries in Imielin.
The stained glass was crafted by Stanisław Pękalski, and all fixtures were created by Mieczysław Król in 1973. The crypt houses the remains of three Silesian Bishops, and on the left side of the nave, there exists an altar made of coal dedicated to St. Barbara, the patron saint of miners, honoring those who lost their lives in Silesia’s mining industry.
7. Ulica Mariacka (St Mary’s Street)
Located in the central Śródmieście district, the pedestrianized Ulica Mariacka serves as Katowice’s primary nightlife hub, leading directly to the distinctive tower of St Mary’s Church, which will be discussed in the following section.
The street was designated for pedestrian use in 2008, and in 2011, a line of 30 cherry tree saplings was planted along its length, adding a touch of springtime color.
Consolidated within a few hundred meters are nearly 20 taverns, along with numerous restaurants, bistros, and nightclubs.
Since the street became car-free in 2009, the city also invested in enhancing the facades along the path, showcasing styles ranging from Neo-Gothic at the eastern end to contemporary designs in the west.
Prior to your visit, it is advisable to check for scheduled events, as there is often local activity occurring along the promenade, whether it be a wine and cheese festival or a concert.
8. St Mary’s Church
With the significant influx of residents to Upper Silesia and the city developing rapidly in the mid-19th century, a place of worship was needed for the new inhabitants.
The solution was St Mary’s Church, constructed in the 1860s.
Though a relatively recent structure, the church possesses considerable significance, as many of the most esteemed artists of the era worked on its adornments.
The stunning stained glass windows were created by Adam Bunsch, who studied under the masters in Kraków, while the “Marian Cycle” paintings flanking the nave are attributed to Józef Unierzyski, a protégé and son-in-law of the distinguished Jan Matejko.
For those seeking something older, the Late Gothic altar in the “Sacra Conversazione” chapel located in the transept is noteworthy.
9. Architecture
Despite achieving city status only in 1865, Katowice may not boast medieval or Renaissance charm like Kraków or Lublin; nevertheless, its architecture possesses a distinctive power.
As the Śródmieście, the city center, was developed rapidly during the 19th century, it has often drawn comparisons to Paris for its splendid tenement buildings, some featuring Art Nouveau elements.
Noteworthy examples can be found on Ulica Mickiewicza, especially the corner structure at no. 22 and the magnificent Monopol Hotel at Ulica Dworcowa 5, constructed in 1902. Additionally, the Market Square presents a rich tableau of 19th and 20th-century architecture, showcasing Modernist, Neoclassical, Socialist Realist, and contemporary styles.
10. Spodek
Following the death of Stalin, Polish architecture was liberated from Socialist Realism, embarking on more imaginative avenues.
This background contextualizes the striking design of Spodek, which translates to “saucer” in Polish.
Construction began in 1964 and continued until 1971. From its completion until 2014, Spodek was the largest indoor arena in Poland, accommodating up to 11,500 spectators. If you’re curious as to how this colossal structure maintains its integrity, it employs a principle known as tensegrity, a term coined by the renowned Buckminster Fuller.
The engineer Wacław Zalewski was responsible for pioneering this concept in this context.
Spodek has enjoyed longevity, outlasting Zalewski’s other famous project, SuperSam in Warsaw, and underwent renovations in 2009.
11. Valley of Three Ponds
Located in the south of Katowice, the Valley of Three Ponds spans 86 hectares, of which nine hectares are comprised of water.
Despite its name suggesting otherwise, the park is home to 11 bodies of water.
The largest ponds are designated for recreation, primarily for fishing, while another pond features a marina for water sports and yet another provides a beach that attracts families during warm days. On land, visitors can bike or hike through the vibrant deciduous forest, and for those without their own bicycles, rental bikes are available through Katowice’s City by Bike service.
12. Giszowiec
If Nikiszowiec piqued your interest in early 20th-century urban design, additional examples await a few kilometers southeast of the city center at another miners’ settlement.
Giszowiec was conceived based on Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City principles and was constructed within three years to provide green spaces for the 600 families who moved in.
Originally inhabited by workers from the Giesche Mine, Giszowiec’s layout features homes arranged along four primary streets converging at a central lime-shaded square.
The settlement soon evolved to include its own conveniences, such as department stores, a school, and a swimming pool, with a narrow gauge railway linking it to the adjacent district of Janów.
13. Silesian Parliament
A significant Polish National Historic Monument, this government building was the largest edifice in Poland until the Palace of Science and Culture was completed in Warsaw in 1955. Featuring Neoclassical architecture, the Silesian Parliament was finalized in 1929 and served as the seat of power for the autonomous Silesian Voivodeship.
This region was established in 1921 following an uprising by Polish residents, along with a plebiscite following World War I.
The grand structure remains operational, housing government offices, and features one of only four remaining paternosters (open elevators) in Poland.
14. Silesian Philharmonic
For those passionate about the arts, it is noteworthy that Katowice boasts one of Poland’s most distinguished orchestras.
The Silesian Philharmonic was founded shortly after the conclusion of the Second World War, hosting its inaugural concert on May 26, 1945. Numerous renowned soloists, including Witold Małcużyński and Adam Taubitz, have performed with the orchestra.
The concert hall, where the orchestra, mixed choir, and chamber orchestra perform, is an integral part of Katowice’s cultural heritage, having undergone renovation and received a glass roof in 2013. It is advisable to review the program during your visit, as family-friendly performances often coincide with school holidays, offering symphonies from composers such as Dvořák, Brahms, and Mozart.
15. Guitar History Museum
For the adventurous, a visit to this private museum dedicated to plucked string instruments is highly rewarding.
The attraction is part of a city initiative allowing culturally significant homes to welcome visitors in exchange for reduced rents.
The museum operates in the afternoons from Tuesday to Sunday and features 60 exhibits, all in working condition.
Visitors can trace the evolution of the guitar to its modern form, exploring its ancestors and relatives such as lutes and torbans.
Although none of the instruments predate the 20th century, there is a compelling reason for this; the knowledgeable guide encourages visitors to play the instruments while imparting insights about their history.
