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Katowice

General information

Location - Southern Poland, Silesian Voivodship Area - 164 sq km Population - 300 000 residents Density - 2000/km2 Founded 16th century City rights 1865 MAYOR - Marcin Krupa Postal code 40-001 to 40-999 Municipal Website www.um.katowice.pl Neighbouring towns: Tychy Chorzów Sosnowiec Siemianowice Śląskie Ruda Śląska Mysłowice Mikołów Czeladź

City Information Office

Located on ul.Młyńska 2, stocks a range of materials in English about many of the things to see and do in Katowice. They also have a good free map of the city and have lots of information on cultural events.
Open 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
A touch-screen computer with city information can be found outside.

History

The first mention of Katowice appeared in priest Kazimierski's writings. He was an inspector in Bogucice parish in 1598. However, the history of the city is determined by the histories of few considerably earlier Slavic agricultural settlements (from XIVth - XVIth centuries) and ironsmiths, which nowadays are districts of Katowice. What is specific to the history of Upper Silesia, a lack of a dominant center, is also true of Katowice, considering the development of many minor economic, cultural and administrative objects which later constituted one municipal system.

The development of the village of Katowice began with the Berlin railway building (1846) that led to Myslowice. A very important event was the taking over of land estates by the Winckler family. Pitman and mining entrepreneur Franz Winckler converted surrounding villages into an industrial city.

In 1865, Katowice village received municipal rights. Shortly, Katowice was promoted to district status. In the times of the Grundmann's regime, the first monumental structure was built – the evangelical church on Warszawska St. (1856-1858). Then, the neo-gothic church on Mariacka St. (1870), monastery and Bonifrant Fathers' hospital, convent and orphanage of Jadwiga Sisters and Saint Szczepan church in Bogicice were built.

The beginning of the First World War did not cause any destruction and losses in Katowice. On the contrary, it stimulated industry development and good economic conditions especially for the steelworks. Warfare did not afflict the contemporary population and their numbers taking part in three Silesian Uprisings (1919-1921) which led to a referendum causing attachment of Katowice to the reborn Polish State (20th June 1922). Soon the city became the capital of an autonomous Silesian Province, base of Silesian Parliament and Upper Silesian Mixed Committee.

In Katowice, the times between wars was a period of intensive development. It was not a Prussian industry center, but the biggest economic center in Poland, capital of the richest region. In 1924, Katowice was the base of: 53 banks, 8 foreign diplomatic subsidiaries and few international concerns. Increase of the capital caused increase of investments in municipal infrastructure. The importance of the city as a scientific and cultural center was increasing constantly; Katowice became an inter alia University City. In the times of Popular Poland, many new housing estates were built, inter alia, Koszutka, Tysiaclecie, Paderewski, Ochojec, Ligota, Zaleska and Halda. Provincial Park of the Culture and Recreation originated. The Silesian University, which was the only university in the region, was opened.

A spectacular sport hall called 'Spodek' (spaceship) was built and it became a symbol of Katowice. The current history of the city is connected not only with industrial and urban development but also a terrible neglect of the technical and social infrastructure. One of the most tragic events in post-war history of Katowice was the pacification of striking miners in 'Wujek' mine after introducing martial law. On 16th December 1981 nine striking miners were shot. This tragedy is commemorated by the cross-monument near the gate of the mine.

What to see in Katowice

• Saint Michael Archangel Wooden Church from 1510; removed from Syrynia to Tadeusz Kosciuszko Park (1938).
• Neo-Romanesque Lord's Resurrection Evangelical Church from 1858. First brick sacral object in Katowice (18 Warszawska St.).
• Jewish Cemetery by 16 Kozielska St. - one of the oldest in the city. Founded in 1868.
• Neo-gothic Church of Holy Virgin Immaculate Conception, built in 1862-1870 from Silesian dolomite. The oldest parish church in Katowice (1 ks. Emil Szramka Square).
• Saint Michael Archangel Wooden Church from 1510; removed from Syrnia to Tadeusz Kosciuszko Park (1938).
• Neo-Romanesque Lord's Resurrection Evangelical Church from 1858. First brick sacral object in Katowice (18 Warszawska St.).
• Jewish Cemetery by 16 Kozielska St. - one of the oldest in the city. Founded in 1868.
• Neo-gothic Church of Holy Virgin Immaculate Conception, built in 1862-1870 from Silesian dolomite. The oldest parish church in Katowice (1 ks. Emil Szramka Square).
• Neo-renaissance industrialist's palace - Goldstein brothers. Elegant building from the second part of XIX century. Two stories with interesting architecture both outside and inside.
• Built in 1896-1906 in art nouveau building of old railway station. Since 1972 it has not been fulfilling its duty (2-10 Dworcowa St.).
• Neo-gothic Church of saint Szczepan in Bogucice, built from red bricks in 1892-1894 (Markiefki St.).
• Neo-gothic Church of saint Apostles Peter and Paul from 1902 (32-34 Mikolowska St.).
• Unique in the European range group of garden-estates for 600 miners' families - Giszowiec - built in 1906-1910. The majority of these are two-families bungalows.
• Original miner's estates - Nikiszowiec. Built in 1908-1915 and 1920-1924. Group of nine blockhouses, three-storey for 7000 people.
• Neo-Romanesque group of monastery and fathers Franaciszkanie church of Ludwig the King and the Holy Virgin Assumption Church in Panewniki. Built in 1905-1907 (76 Panewnicka St.)
• Modernistic building of Stanislaw Wyspianski Silesian Theatre. Built in 1906-1907, rebuilt in 70's of the XX century.
• Arch-cathedral of Christ the King - built in 1927-1954 from the Silesian dolomite. One of the most monumental sacral objects in Poland. difice of Provincial Government (before the war - Silesian Parliament) - classic building of parliament from 1926-1929 (25 Jagiellonska St.).
• Silesian Insurgents Monument from 1967 - one of the best-designed monuments in Poland. Three wings are symbols of three Silesian Uprisings in 1919, 1920 and 1921.

Where to stay - Hotels

Qubus Prestige	ul. Uniwersytecka 13	www.qubushotel.com	+48 32 601 0 100
Monopol	ul. Dworcowa 5	www.hotel.com.pl	+48 32 782 82 82
Novotel Rondo	ul. RoŸdzieńskiego 16	www.novotel.com	+48 32 200 44 44
Diament	ul. Dworcowa 9	www.hoteldiament.pl	+48 32 253 90 41
Park Hotel Diament	ul. Wita Stwosza 37	www.hoteldiament.pl	+48 32 720 00 00
Katowice	al. Korfantego 9	www.hotel-katowice.com.pl	+48 32 258 82 81
Campanile	ul. Sowińskiego 48	www.campanile.com.pl	+48 32 205 50 50
Euro Residence	ul. M. Kopernika 6	www.euroresidence.com.pl	+48 32 608 42 52
Senator	ul. 1 Maja 3	www.senator.katowice.pl	+48 32 258 60 81
Olimpijski	al. Korfantego 35	www.hotelspodek.katowice.pl	+48 32 258 12 33

How to spend free time

The Capital City of Upper Silesia supports significant amount of artistic ventures and considering limitations creates its own conditions for development and rising new institution of culture.

Cinema theatres

There are located a few big cinema complexes: Helios Cinema Centre, Cimena City - Silesia and Cinema City - Point 44. The advantage of Polish cinemas is that there is no dubbing (except kids films). The majority of the films are shown in their original version with Polish subtitles. Expect to pay around 15 zloty plus for a ticket.

Helios Cinema Centre	ul. Uniwersytecka 13	www.heliosnet.pl	+48 32 603 01 01
Światowid Cinema	ul. 3-go Maja 7	www.swiatowid.katowice.pl	+48 32 258 74 32
Cimena City - Silesia	ul. Chorzowska 107	www.cinema-city.pl	+48 32 605 05 55
Cinema City - Point 44	ul. Gliwicka 44	www.cinema-city.pl	+48 32 359 59 60
Orange IMAX Katowice	ul. Gliwicka 44	www.kinoimax.pl	+48 32 359 59 59

Art Galleries

The Upper Silesian Cultural Centre Plac Sejmu Śląskiego 2 www.gck.org.pl +48 32 2553 806

The Upper Silesian Cultural Centre	Plac Sejmu Śląskiego 2	www.gck.org.pl	+48 32 2553 806
The Art Exhibition Office	al. Korfantego 6	www.bwa.katowice.pl	+48 32 2599 040
The Wilson Shaft Gallery	ul. Oswobodzenia 1	galeria.w3.pl	+48 32 7303 220

Museums

The Silesian Museum	al. Korfantego 3	www.muzeumslaskie.pl	+48 32 2585 661
The History of Katowice Museum	ul. Szafranka 9	www.mhk.katowice.pl	+48 32 2562 134
The Archdiocese Museum	ul. Jordana 39	www.kuria.katowice.pl	+48 32 6081 524

Theateres

STANISŁAW WYSPIAŃSKI SILESIAN THEATRE	Rynek 2	www.teatrslaski.art.pl	+48 32 258 72 51
KOREZ THEATRE	Plac Sejmu Śląskiego 2	www.korez.art.pl	+48 32 209 00 88

Other cultural institutions

The Silesian Philharmonic	ul. Sokolska 2	www.filharmoniaslaska.art.pl	+48 32 351 17 19
National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra	Plac Sejmu Śląskiego 2	www.nospr.org.pl	+48 32 251 89 03
The Group of Katowice Singers "Camerata Silesia"	al. Korfatego 14	www.camerata.silesia.pl	+48 32 206 97 97
The Youth Palace	ul. Mikołowska 26	www.pm.katowice.pl	+48 32 25 18 593

Libraries

Silesian Library pl. Rady Europy 1 www.bs.katowice.pl +48 32 208 38 75

Silesian Library	pl. Rady Europy 1	www.bs.katowice.pl	+48 32 208 38 75
Medical University of Silesia	Poniatowskiego 15	www.biblioteka.sum.edu.pl	+48 32 208 35 37
University of Economics	ul. Bogucicka 3 bld. A	english.ae.katowice.pl	+48 32 208 35 37
Silesian University of Silesia	ul. Bankowa 14	www.us.edu.pl	+48 32 359 13 73
Physical Education Academy	ul. Mikołowska 72A	www.awf.katowice.pl	+48 32 207 51 38

Clubs and Pubs

Sinners in Heaven	ul. Sokolska 9	www.grzesznicywniebie.pl	+48 32 253 50 95
Spiż	ul. Opolska 22	www.www.spiz.pl/kat	+48 693 123 144
Mega Club	ul. Żelazna 9	www.megaclub.pl	+48 32 760 90 02
Straszny dwór	ul. Studencka 16	www.strachol.eu	+48 (032) 254 17 50
Dekadencja	ul. Maricka 20	www.dekadencja.com	+48 32 203 44 33
Pub Camelot	ul. Batorego 2	www.camelot-katowice.pl	+48 32 781 86 62
Jazzclub Hipnoza	Plac Sejmu Śląskiego 2	www.jazzclub.pl	+48 32 785 71 30
City Pub	ul. 3 Maja 23	www.citypub.pl	+48 32 253 97 99
Inqbator	ul. Dworcowa 2	www.inq.pl	+48 32 353 81 94
Maska	pl. Miarki 6	www.maskaclub.pl	+48 32 257 04 27
Gugalander	ul. Jagiellońska 17a	www.gugalander.art.pl	+48 32 253 98 83
Wyższy wymiar	ul. Matejki 3	www.wyzszy-wymiar.pl	+48 32 253 67 65
Poziom 3	ul. 1 Maja 33	www.poziom3.pl	+48 32 782 34 90
Sqandal	ul. 3 Maja 23	www.sqandal.pl	+48 32 203 64 88
Genesis	ul. Matejki 3	www.genesis.katowice.pl	+48 602 717 122

Where to buy?

Shopping Centers - any kind of stuff

Silesia City Center ul. Chorzowska 107 www.silesiacitycenter.com.pl +48 32 605 00 00

Silesia City Center	ul. Chorzowska 107	www.silesiacitycenter.com.pl	+48 32 605 00 00
Galeria Katowicka	ul. 3-go Maja 30	www.galeriakatowicka.eu	+48 32 41 41 290
3 Ponds Shopping Center	ul. Pułaskiego 60	www.3stawy.pl	+48 32 209 14 60

domestic equipment, furniture, toys

IKEA

al. Roździeńskiego 95

www.ikea.pl

+48 32 789 80 00

food, drinks, every-day use things,cosmetics, clothes, household chemistry, bedding

CARREFOUR	al. Roździeńskiego 200	www.carrefour.pl	+48 32 786 21 00
AUCHAN Katowice	ul. Reńców 30	www.auchan.pl	+48 32 358 86 44
AUCHAN Katowice	ul. Gliwicka 3	www.auchan.pl	+48 32 772 86 44
TESCO Katowice	ul. Chorzowska 107	www.tesco.pl	+48 32 603 71 00

computers,computers parts, electronic devices

PROLINE Katowice	pl. Grunwaldzki 4	www.proline.pl	+48 32 782 61 21
CEI Katowice	PL. GRUNWALDZKI 8-10	www.cei.com.pl	+48 32 782 64 64
KOMPUTRONIK Katowice	ul. Chorzowska 107	www.komputronik.pl	+48 32 605 07 88

computers, electronic devices

MEDIA MARKT Katowice	ul. Alpejska 6	www.mediamarkt.pl	+48 32 357 41 00
SATURN Katowice	ul. Chorzowska 107	www.saturnpolska.pl	+48 32 60 38 100

domestic equipment, tools

OBI Katowice	ul. Rolna 4	www.obi.pl	+48 32 351 31 00
CASTORAMA Katowice	al. Roździeńskiego 198	www.castorama.pl	+48 32 20 81 100
PRAKTIKER Katowice	ul. Górnośląska 57	www.praktiker.pl	+48 32 60 33 720
CONFORAMA Katowice	ul. Alpejska 4	www.conforama.pl	+48 32 35 71 300

Sports & Outdoor

GO SPORT Katowice	ul. Alpejska 3	www.go-sport.pl	+48 32 209 18 70
Horyzont	ul. Kościuszki 8	e-horyzont.pl	+48 32 257 22 90
Summit	pl. Wolności 8	www.summit.pl	+48 32 258 80 37
Summit	ul. Kościuszki 10	www.summit.pl	+48 32

Gyms

Fitness Fun	ul. Ceglana 67c	www.fitnessfun.pl	+48 32 2514313
ProActiv	ul. Sokolska 27	www.proactivkatowice.pl	+48 32 3508600
Pelforth COB	ul. Wesoła 3	www.cob-fitness.pl	+48 32 2520909
Bażantowo Sport	ul. Pijarska 3	sport.bazantowo.pl	+48 32 7828101
GetFitFitness	ul. Uniwersytecka 13	www.get-fitfitness.pl	+48 32 603 01 23
Fitness Point	ul. Bocheńskiego 69	www.fitnesspoint.com.pl	+48 32 7828101
World Class Health Academy	ul. Dyrekcyjna 2	www.monopolkatowice.hotel.com.pl	+48 734451577

Safety

In general Katowice is far safer than most Western cities. Travellers should be on guard against pickpockets working tram and bus routes by the train station and near Empik. Avoid being ripped off by taxi gits by using clearly marked cabs and arranging rides with Peter or Leszek. Avoiding some areas especially at night is wise.