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How it all started

The story of our festiwal is truly unique. It began during the COVID – 19 pandemic when long months of lockdown and isolation led many residents to start baking bread at home. In April 2020,
an international Facebook group called „Pozytywne jedzenie / Home-made food international"
was launched. It quickly became a vibrant space where Katowice residents and friends from all over the world shared recipes, support, and a passion for baking.

When public gatherings finally returned, this online community transformed into a real-world celebration. 
The very first edition of the festiwal took place on September 10-11 2021, in Zadole Park. It brought together local residents, bakeries, and culinary schools, alongside representatives
from various international cultures and religious communities – including Christian, Jewish,
and Muslim traditions. Visitors had the rare opportunity to experience and taste traditional breads prepared according to authentic recipes from Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Germany, and beyond.

The evolution of the Festival

What started as a cozy outdoor gathering has grown into one of the most prestigious cultural
and culinary events in the region, officially recognised with the honourable „Marka-Śląskie" (Silesian Brand) award. Held annually in the beautiful green scenery of Zadole Park, the festival bridges international cultures through the universal language of food. Each edition focuses on a unique culinary theme, bringing together representatives from our sister cities – including Cologne,
Saint-Étienne, Kosice, Ostrava, and Opava – alongside world-class culinary experts, writers and artists.

• The Early Editions: Celebrated for fostering community through traditional bread-making
  and local heritage, the festival in Zadol Park features international exchanges, artistic performances, and diverse culinary themes including herbs, fruits, and olive oil.
• The 2025 Edition: Expanded the horizons by exploring the perfect combinations of bread,
   olive oil, and vinegar.
• The 2026 Edition: Shuffled the menu by focusing heavily on the endless world of pasta
  and traditional Silesian dumplings („gumiklyjzas"). This edition featured star guests like Poland's famous food critic Robert Makłowicz, Italian food historian Luca Cesari,
  and the acclaimed poet and essayist Wojciech Bonowicz.

More than just food

Beyond live cooking shows, expert panel discussions, and open-air concerts in the amphitheatre,
the festiwal is deeply rooted in charity and solidarity. Every year, the incredible turnout of visitors goes hand in hand with a massive donation drive. Residents bring hundreds of home-made baked goods and preserves to support local organizations, such as the Katowice chapter of the Order of Malta (Katowicki Oddział Zakonu Kawalerów Maltańskich), proving that bread doesn't just feed us – it truly brings people together.

See You next year!

The ”United by Bread” Partner Cities Festival has truly become a beautiful tradition on the cultural map of Katowice. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our international partners, exhibitors, artists, residents, and visitors for creating such a warm and unforgettable atmosphere

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Green Katowice - general information

Katowice is associated with the most urbanised part of the metropolitan area, yet as much as 42% of the city area is covered by forests. The further 7.5% consists of consists of managed green areas, while 15% is agricultural land. Katowice ranks first in the Silesian Voivodeship and second among Polish cities in terms of forest area. The city has 6,600 hectares of green areas forming a natural buffer around the metropolitan area, countless walking trails,  nearly 100 kilometres of cycling routes, and nature "right at your fingertips". 

The Kłodnica and Ślepiotka Rivers flow through the central-western part of the city, including the districts of Ligota, Piotrowice and Ochojec. The northern part of the city (including the districts of Tysiąclecie, Załęże, Koszutka, Wełnowiec, Bogucice, Zawodzie, Szopienice and the city centre) is drained by the Rawa River, and the north-eastern part – by the Bolina River (the districts of Giszowiec and Janów). The Mleczna River flows through the southern part of the city. Katowice is also crossed by several streams, including the Leśny, Kokociniec and Ławecki streams.

The area of Katowice not only consists of the forest parks presented below, i.e.: Kościuszko Park, Katowice Forest Park, interesting recreational places such as Janina or Bolina, Murckowskie Forests, but also the Ochojec Nature Reserve and the ecological site of Płone Bagno. The forests at Panewniki 
in the western part of Katowice are also of high recreational values and you can visit them using the cycle routes.

In the recent years, the number of interesting green areas intended for recreation has increased considerably – For example, part of the Ślepiotka River valley and nearby Zadole Park in the Ligota district were modernised as part of the REURIS Project.       

Today, residents and visitors can also enjoy the Valley of Three Ponds, the extensive Katowice Forest Park, and numerous revitalised recreational areas that combine urban development with environmental protection.

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Data publikacji: 05.08.2026 12:50

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Data rozpoczęcia: 16.01.2014 12:00

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The "Spodek" Arena

Construction of the "Spodek" Arena was completed in 1971. The arena was the largest and the state-of-the-art facility in Poland at that time. It has still been the most recognisable building in the capital of Silesia. Uniquely shaped components of the "Spodek" Arena form a compatible complex which covers almost a 7 ha area. Multifunctional and universal features of the elements enable to organise various events at the same time i.e.: the artistic and sporting events, fairs, exhibitions as well as congresses and trainings.   

The arena has been modernised several times. The last modernisation took place in 2011. Nowadays, it is the only fully air conditioned facility in Poland.

All repairs cost PLN 70 million. As a result the facility took on a modern image. The most impressive is a new rounded LED screen, suspended from the roof. In addition, the main hall is equipped with a strong lightning and a new monitoring connected to the fire-fighting system. Currently, the "Spodek" Arena can hold up to 11,000 people.

Over the last 40 years it hosted among others: concerts, sport events, shows on ice, opera and circus performances as well as fairs, exhibitions and meetings with politicians. The most important events involve concerts of world-famous stars such as: Tina Turner, Metallica or Depeche Mode as well as matches and performances of the best sport teams of hockey, volleyball, handball players and acrobats.

The "Spodek" Arena comprises of the following components:

- Main hall with the capacity of 11,000 seats

- Gym with the capacity of 400 seats

- Ice rink – opened all-year-round excluding a summer renovation break

- Indoor swimming pool with two saunas and other water attractions.

The "Spodek" Arena in numbers

Date of construction:                        1971
Date of the last renovation:              2011
Max. capacity:                                  11,000 seats
Gate for the disabled:                       gate 7
Total capacity:                                  338,732 m2
Usable area:                                     29,473 m2

Safety in the "Spodek" Arena facilities

The arena safety system allows to organise artistic and sporting events in a safe way. The building makes it possible to leave the hall in less than 10 minutes. The visual monitoring system effectively supports the audience safety.
Moreover, within the technical safety systems there operate:

- Fire alarm system;

- Smoke control system;

- Drencher system

- Fire hydrant installation
The fire alarm system automatically sending signals to the fire department allows the fire brigade to arrive on the spot in about 5 minutes.

How to get there:

The "Spodek" Arena is located in the Katowice city centre, at the Jerzy Ziętek Roundabout connecting national road 79 with Korfantego Avenue. It is easily accessible both by car and public transport:

- 45 minutes from the Katowice International Airport in Pyrzowice (a shuttle bus every 1 hour- bus stop at Korfantego Av.);

- 3 minutes from the Katowice railway station; tram lines no. 11 or 13 (tram stop at the roundabout);

- 15 minute walking distance from the railway and bus stations;
Special parking spaces are available for cars of organisers, artists as well as TIR lorries and technical service cars during concerts, etc.

 

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Data publikacji: 05.08.2026 11:20

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Data rozpoczęcia: 27.06.2014 11:30

Data zakończenia: 27.06.2014 15:00

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The Modernism Route

The concept of modernism defines the general phenomenon of world trends in architecture, which has developed mainly in the years 1918-1975.

Modernism not only assumed shift from historical styles, but also from any styling. Others capture modernism slightly wider, dividing it into three phases: an early, notable from 1890 until the outbreak of World War I (Art Nouveau, Secession, Expressionism), mature, covering the interwar period (Functionalism, also known as International Style), and the late phase, which is attributable to post-war years until the end of the 1970s (eg. brutality, architecture, sculpture). The aesthetics of modernism have not disappeared, and still are reborn in the form of neomodernism, acting as an important component of contemporary world architecture.

 
Modern movement did not developed homogeneous forms of style. However, in many buildings built during this period you can see some similarities:

- curtain walls,

- free plan divided with light partition walls,

- flat roof with a terrace,

- wide windows letting in plenty of light,

- minimally invasive in relation to the nature foundation of buildings on the pillars (pilotis)

- large, flat and uniform surfaces of elevation,

- windows without internal divisions,

- the use of concrete and steel,

- extensive glass staircases, and sometimes the whole facade.

 

However, not all modernist buildings are characterized by features described above.

Architects and city planners of modernism set themselves the goal of proper planning of whole quarters of the city. To ensure decent housing conditions of the population, they concentrated on the planning of settlements so that their individual components were primarily functional. Urban industrial zones were to be completely separated from residential, commercial and administrative centre. The border of each zone were to be green spaces and recreational areas.

Modernism developed a variety of urban trends. During this period the concepts of linear and star-shaped city have arosed. Most important part of the city was to be the center, planned as a service and commercial area, as well as administrative and cultural with extensive parks, squares and pedestrian tracts. Both residential housing and industrial infrastructure areas were separated from the city centre.

Leading representative of the international modernist style was a French architect, urban planner, painter and sculptor Le Corbusier (his real name is Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris). In 1915 he formulated the famous five principles of modern building construction:

 

2. freedom to compose floor plans,

3. free elevation (windows deployment flexibility, a lack of preference of any of the facades)

4. horizontal bands of windows (so-called ribbon windows)

5. flat roof and drainage inside the building (internal gutter).

These principles relate to the idea of a modern house in which there is free transition of an interior arrangement. Le Corbusier tried to pursue the idea of mass construction of houses, and as a city planner, he was publishing city plans with a complex of identical skyscrapers located symmetrically, surrounded by parkland.

Katowice is a city founded as a result of a very rapid industrial development in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Were attached to Poland in 1922, becoming the capital of the new Silesia, with its own autonomy and headquarters of the Silesian Parliament. The authorities soon had to face the problem of the lack of both government buildings and residential units for the growing number of city residents.

Architects and city planners have made every effort to meet this great challenge. Among them are: Tadeusz Michejda, Karol Schayer, Zbigniew Rzepecki, Lucjan Sikorski, Tadeusz Kozłowski, Leon Dietz d'Arma, Jadwiga Dobrzyńska and Zygmunt Łoboda.

This phase of development of the city helped make the Katowice special MODERNISM ROUTE which creates a canvas of 16 buildings selected from the whole of modernist buildings from the 20s and 30s of 20th century by the Silesian Cultural Heritage Centre in Katowice. These are objects representing the functional and utilitarian diversity with a unique, inter-war modernist architecture by which Katowice were called "Polish Chicago."

Visit our website moderna.katowice.eu

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The Zone of Culture is the evidence of revitalisation, which Katowice has experienced in recent years. This comprehensive development project is today one of the most recognisable spots on the city map and a site attracting not only culture lovers. Looking at innovative architectural solutions, skilfully combined with green squares, it is difficult to imagine that only twenty years ago coal was mined on this site. Today only refurbished mine buildings, adapted to the needs of culture, prove that a mine was once operating here. The entire project is an excellent proof of dynamic changes Katowice undergoes and of the new vision of the city. The area has four pillars: a museum, a concert hall, a congress centre, and an entertainment- -sports arena, between which there is space intended for residents and their guests. The new house of the Silesian Museum was harmoniously composed with the former mine buildings and most of the exhibition was transferred underground. Fantastic acoustics of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra hall is emphasised by music lovers and musicians from the entire world, who give concerts in Katowice. The International Congress Centre is a multifunctional facility, being the venue of many training courses, congresses, fairs, or conferences. This unique quartet is complemented by ‘Spodek’ - a legendary arena, which after modernisation remains one of the most important sports-entertainment facilities in the country, being a guarantee of an exceptional atmosphere and unforgettable experience.

More information about the above-mentioned objects available on:

Silesian Museum - a new  subterranean facility hamoniously composed with former mine structures, placing the core exhibitions underground beneath elegant glass cubes. The surrounding ground are currently undergoing a major €43 million green transformation to turn the concreto spaces into a lush park by 2029.

NOSPR - the home of the National Symphony Orchestra of the Polish Radio, globally celebrated by musicians for its world-class, flawless acoustics.

International Congress Centre - a multifuncional, grass-roofed facility hosting major global congresses, fairs, and conferences.

Spodek Arena - the legendary, saucer-shaped arena that remains a top-tier sports and entertainment venue guaranteeing an unforgettable atmosphere.

Far from static, the Zone of Culture continues to evolve. The immediate skyline has been transformed by striking new residential skyscrapers like Atal Olimpijska, turning the district into a bustling 24/7 urban neighborhood. As Katowice steps into the spotlight as the Polish Capital of Culture 2027, the Zone stands ready as the ultimate stage for the region’s bright future.

 

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Data rozpoczęcia: 13.10.2021 16:00

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History – part one

The history of Katowice is a mirror reflexion of the history of the Upper Silesia. In the past these lands belonged to Poland, the Czech state (Czechia), Austria, Prussia and Germany. After Poland had regained its independence in 1918, the region's future was influenced by three Silesian Uprisings and the plebiscite (1919-1921). 
The city's great development in the twenties and the thirties of 20^th century was discontinued by the outbreak of the World War II. After the war, the whole region of the Upper Silesia became a part of Poland. Modern history of Katowice has been marked, among others, with the tragedy in the "Wujek" Coal Mine (1981), the pilgrimage of the Pope John Paul II (1983) and prizes granted by the Council of Europe between 1998 and 2008.

Villages and hamlets

Some of the cities and towns of the Upper Silesia have a very short history (19^th and 20^th century). Their creation was connected to the development of mining, metallurgy and heavy industry. It was then that the nearby villages and production hamlets were joined into homogenous urban organism. This is the beginning of cities like: Zabrze, Ruda Śląska and Katowice. Before 1859, the former Katowice village had had 3 thousand inhabitants and its last village leader was Kazimierz Skiba.

Kat or Kąty

The origins of the name of the city still remain an uncertain matter. Some historians claim that it originated from the word "kat" (torturer) which was a nickname of the first local settler. Then, others connect the name with the word "kąty". In the past, settlers' huts were called like this. The settlers dealt with clearing the forests and delivering wood to Kuźnica Bogucka.

Villa nova Katowicze

Villa nova Katowicze was first mentioned in 1598. The village was established by the Bogucki family, the owners of the oldest forges of the region. However, nowadays there are some districts of the city with even longer history than this one, including, e.g. Dąb (1299), Bogucice (1360), Roździeń (1360), and Załęże (1360). 
Some of them were famous for precious metals output and their processing in the iron forges situated by the Rawa River. Other villages were agricultural.                  

Founding fathers of Katowice

When the city was ruled by Prussia (from 1742) the Upper Silesia and Katowice underwent an intense period of economic development. The idea to establish the city belonged to Franz Winckler, a mining entrepreneur, who in 1839 was the owner of the Katowice area. This task was performed by the administrator of the land, Friedrich Wilhelm Grundmann. Then, the spatial development plan of the area was created by an engineer, Heinrich Nottenbohm.

From city to district

The dynamic development of the city gave way to creation of many offices and institutions. Along with them also banks, schools and stores were opened. During the years of 1856-1859 at present Warszawska Street the Evangelical Church of Lord's Resurrection was built. The first efforts to get municipal rights were made in 1855, but the charter was finally granted in 1865. Eight years later Katowice became the capital of the district.

Golden years

At the end of the eighties in the 19^th century there was a powerful mining and metallurgy concern "Kattowitzer Aktien-Gesellshaft" in Katowice. Also, Miners' Guild and Upper Silesian Coal Convention could be found here. In 1832 John Baildon, the pioneer of metallurgy in the Upper Silesia, built his steelworks in Załęże. The big public institutions included: District Court, The Management of the Prussian-Royal Railway and the National Post Management. At the beginning of the 20^th century the city was enriched with the City Theatre, a new railway station, Neo-Gothic Church of Saints Peter and Paul, and many tenement houses in the city centre. During the years of 1914-1918 Katowice did not feel the disastrous influence of the I World War. War actions fortunately bypassed the city and the needs concerning armaments influenced the dynamic development of mining and metallurgy.

Return to Poland

One of the symbols of Katowice is the Monument of Silesian Insurgents situated at the General Jerzy Ziętek Roundabout. Its monumental wings symbolize the three uprisings (1919, 1920, 1921). During the last one more than 60 thousand of insurgents took part in the fight against Germans. Finally, as a result of international decisions, Poland annexed 29% of the plebiscite area, including Katowice. Polish troops entered the city on 20 June 1922.               

Capital of the voivodeship

During the interwar period Katowice was one of the richest Polish cities. The city was the capital of the autonomous Silesian Voivodeship and the seat of the Silesian Parliament. Consulates of 12 countries were situated here, as well as many steelworks, mines, factories and banks.

The investment boom included the housing industry, public buildings and churches. It was then that, among others, the Silesian Parliament and the Voivodeship Office buildings were constructed. In 1927 the city commenced building of the Christ the King's Cathedral and the Bishop Palace.

In 1932 at Żwirki i Wigury Street a fourteen-storey skyscraper was erected.

In Katowice the 73^rd Infantry Regiment, being a part of the 23^rd Upper Silesian Infantry Division, was stationed. In 1939 the city had 135 thousand inhabitants.

September legend

After the outbreak of II World War German troops attacking the Upper Silesia were confronted with fierce resistance of the soldiers from "Śląsk" Operation Group - "Kraków" Army. However, on the night from 2 to 3 September 1939 they were ordered to retreat behind the line of the Przemsza River. At that time Katowice was defended also by few groups of former Silesian Insurgents and scouts. Their fight at the parachute tower (Kościuszko's Park) and around the House of an Insurgent (Matejki Street) became legendary. While defending the city and during later executions a few hundred of Poles were killed. The 73^rd Infantry Regiment will be remembered in the history of the September Campaign because of its soldiers taking part in the fights against the Germans on 21 September 1939 (e.g. Alwernia, Bełżec and Tomaszów Lubelski).           

Period of occupation

During the years of German occupation the city was the seat of the Katowice Regierungsbezirk (beginning with 1940). Despite extremely difficult conditions, Katowice inspectorate of the Silesian District of the Home Army was operating here. One of its commanders was Colonel Zygmunt Walter-Janke. On 27 January 1945 troops of the Red Army entered the city. Soon, part of its citizens fell victim to repressions and transportation to camps into the depths of Russia.

Heroic Sławik

For a dozen post-war years the figure of the heroic Silesian – Henryk Sławik, was covered in a conspiracy of silence. This participant of Silesian Uprisings, a representative of the Silesian Seym and councillor of Katowice, in 1939 got to Hungary. From Hungary, as a delegate of the emigrational government of the Republic of Poland, he was organising transportation of Polish soldiers to the armed forces in the West. Moreover, thanks to forged documents he saved life of about 5 to 14 thousand Polish Jews who then escaped to Hungary. His activity was ended by being arrested by the Germans, and he died in the Mauthausen concentration camp (August 1944). At present, one of Katowice schools as well as the roundabout in Tysiąclecia Housing Estate are named after Henryk Sławik. On 25 February 2010 the President of the Republic of Poland –  Lech Kaczyński, honoured him with the Order of White Eagle.

Stalinogród

In 1953, after the death of Józef Stalin, Katowice was named Stalinogród, and the name of the Katowice voivodeship was changed into the Stalinogród voivodeship. Former names were re-established in December 1956.

The nine from "Wujek"

The latest history of Katowice is connected with bloody events that took place after the Martial Law was introduced (13.12.1981). On 16 December 1981 just outside the walls of the "Wujek" Coal-Mine 9 miners from this mine were killed by the bullets shot by the police. Ten years after that the monument in their honour was unveiled in front of the mine (Wincentego Pola Street). The story of this tragedy is told in the movie entitled "Death Like a Slice of Bread" directed by Kazimierz Kutz (1994).

The Pope at Muchowiec

On 20 June 1983 John Paul II visited Katowice during his pilgrimage. The place he chose for the Marian prayer was the Muchowiec Airport. The Pope's altar was decorated with the painting of the Mother of God from Piekary Śląskie (a famous Silesian sanctuary). In his speech delivered to the 1,5 million congregation the Pope spoke about labour rights. This speech went down to history by the name of the Labour Gospel. Next, he visited the Katowice Christ the King's Cathedral.  The guests gathered there listened to the first-night performance of "Victoria" by Wojciech Kilar, a work composed especially for the Pope. Nine years later Katowice became one of 14 capitals of the Catholic Church Archdioceses in Poland.

European Katowice

For the last several years Katowice has been one of the leader cities of the European integration. To acknowledge this credit the Council of Europe awarded the city with the Honour Flag of the Council of Europe (1998), the Council of Europe Plaque (2000) and the Europe Award (2008). Katowice has applied also for the title of the European Youth Capital 2015 and the UNESCO Creative City of Culture in 2015+.

Building on these successes, Katowice reached another major milestone by being designated the European City of Science 2024. Awarded by EuroScience in cooperation with the European Commission, Katowice made history as the first city from Central and Eastern Europe to receive this title. This distinction further solidifies the city’s ongoing tranformation from a traditional industrial center into a premier European hub for academic excellence, scientific research, and sustainable urban development.

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The historic Nikiszowiec and Giszowiec

In 2011, thanks to the efforts of the Mayor of Katowice, the historic Nikiszowiec estate was included on the list of Historical Monuments. Such status is awarded to monuments of special historical value and of large significance to the cultural heritage of Poland. It is a unique distinction for there are only 48 such objects in the entire country. Two of them are in Katowice – Nikiszowiec and also the building of the Silesian Parliament.

There are approximately two hundred patronage estates in the entire Silesian Province, developed by industrial plants for their employees. However, only a few of them represent such a high standard, refined architecture and scale of urban solutions as the Katowice district of Nikiszowiec. Its designers, Emil and Georg Zillmann, created an almost self-sufficient city which, apart from residential buildings, also comprised a church, hospital, preschool, schools, stores, an inn, and even an electric laundry and dry cleaner's and a photography studio. Inhabitants of comfortable, spacious apartments could enjoy all the civilizational achievements of those times such as electricity, running water or sewage systems, and some of the buildings even had central heating installed. Nikiszowiec was lucky to survive the turbulent 20th century without any larger damage, thanks to which nowadays we can admire its original development in an almost unchanged state.

The interesting architecture is matched by interesting people – it is the residents of the district that make for its unforgettable atmosphere! Until this day, Nikiszowiec has remained a place where you can hear the Silesian dialect spoken in the streets. Many people have been living here for generations, while work in the nearby mine still sets the pace of life for many families. A visit to the Niesporeks' photo studio, which has been in the family since 1919, is enough to hear an interesting anecdote or two about the colorful past of the estate. Nikiszowiec is the best place to learn about the atmosphere of the old Silesia.

In 1902, English urban planner Ebenezer Howard published a book titled "Garden Cities of Tomorrow", presenting the concept of suburban estates which were rationally designed, filled with greenery and resident-friendly and whose development was to serve as a remedy to the social problems of the rapidly growing metropolises of Western Europe. The idea received wide-spread acclaim. One of the people interested in it was Anton Uthemann – the director of the Georg von Giesche's Erben concern. It is thanks to him that the newly-developed Giszowiec residential estate was designed according to Howard's concept. However, this was not the only inspiration. The creators of the estate – cousins Emil and Georg Zillmann – also alluded to the traditional architecture of the region by designing houses whose appearance (e.g. the shape of roofs, layout of windows) resembled rural cottages typical of Upper Silesian villages. Thanks to this, the residents could feel more at home in the new place.

The area of today's Giszowiec and Nikiszowiec used to belong to the Janów municipality and was covered with vast forests. After the discovery of rich coal beds in the 19th century, the Georg von Giesche's Erben concern began to gradually buy out the mining fields located here, and started the process of extraction in subsequent shafts. The largest investment included deepening the Carmer shaft at the beginning of the 20th century. This necessitated attracting a large number of new employees and providing them with decent living conditions.

Giszowiec came first. Originally the plan involved the erection of several-storey buildings. However, this would entail applying considerably more expensive technologies for construction and especially for the extraction of coal, whose beds were located directly under the estate. For this reason, it was finally decided that low-rise buildings, mostly one or two storeys high, would be erected. A larger, municipal-type residential estate was built between the Nikisch and Carmer shafts. The first one gave its name to the entire estate.

Two young architects from Charlottenburg near Berlin were employed – Emil and Georg Zillmann. This was a rarity in itself. Generally, houses for the workers were erected based on a design prepared by the mine's construction office which was not signed by any architect. The Zillmanns were presented with an ambitious task. The act of the Prussian parliament regulating issues regarding the construction of new housing estates was already binding at that time. It imposed certain construction, sanitary and social standards (e.g. the necessity to fit the estate with a sewage system) on investors. The assumptions of the Giesche concern largely exceeded the act requirements, which resulted in erecting developments characterized by architecture of unique quality, offering then a very high standard of living to their residents. This could be seen as a form of investment made by the concern in its staff, as well as a sign of very progressive approach to human resources.

Giszowiec was built between 1906 – 1910. Houses for 600 worker families and 36 clerical

families, as well as 5 night shelter houses for single workers were constructed. All the buildings were fitted with electrical installations and water was drawn from pumps situated along the streets every 100 m. Miners had at their disposal quite large house gardens. Stores, 3 schools, an inn, a theater hall, as well as the forestry headquarters were placed around a centrally located Pod Lipami square.

Nikiszowiec was developed some time later. Works commenced in 1908 and the majority of residential buildings were finished by 1915. Further works were temporarily stopped during World War I and the uprisings which followed. The second stage of construction took place between 1920 – 1924. Nikiszowiec was designed as a much larger estate comprising 9 quarters of a dense, mostly three-storey building development. All the apartments were electrified, with sewage systems, and had access to running water. Apart from the residential buildings, an inn, post office, bath house, laundry and drycleaner's with a mangle room, as well as administrative buildings were also constructed. Moreover, provisions were made for the youngest inhabitants of the district – a preschool was opened, run by St. Hedwig Sisters, as well as two schools – for male and female students. The Sisters also took care of the sick in the barracks for the contagiously ill, located just outside the dense development. A church was erected near the centrally located square, while stores were lined in its arcades running along the eastern frontages.

The grand church of St. Anne, with a capacity for 4 thousand members of congregation (almost the entire population of Nikiszowiec), was the last building erected according to the Zillmanns' design. It was consecrated in 1927. The Neo-Baroque structure with a dome roof crowning visible from afar prides itself on rich original interior. Its most precious objects include a 75-voice organ by Reiger from Karniów, stained glass windows from the atelier of Georg Schneider of Ratisbone and a beautiful chandelier with a diameter of 4.5 m.

Noteworthy investments from the interwar period include an impressive town hall – the Janów municipality office building located nearby the Nikisch shaft (renamed "Poniatowski" in independent Poland). This up-to-date building in modernist style was designed by Tadeusz Michejda, an eminent architect from Katowice. His other works in the city are also worth visiting – we recommend taking a walk along the Modernism Trail (Szlak Moderny).

The details of a seemingly uniform brick estate impress and draw one's attention to the red face brick, as each of the entries to stairways and gates, the jutty and window framing has its unique design. The original character of this place is created also by the window cavities coated with red paint, which is the color of the mining state.

One of the conveniences for the inhabitants of both estates was a narrow-gauge railway connecting Giszowiec with Nikiszowiec and the nearby district of Szopienice. The train also stopped at the Carmer (later renamed Pułaski), Nikisch (Poniatowski) and Richtchofen (Wilson) shafts. Put into operation in 1914, the railway soon began to be humorously called the "Balkan Express", in allusion to the luxury train connection between Berlin and Constantinople launched around that time. The railway provided free transportation for employees and their families 23 times a day on working days and 19 times per day on Sundays and holidays. The route was less than 4 km long. Unfortunately, in 1977 the railway stopped operating and a few years later, due to the construction of two new communication arteries crossing Balkan's route, the rails were completely disassembled. Only a short fragment was left in front of the Pułaski shaft of the Wieczorek mine, where even today visitors can see two preserved cars.

Giszowiec and Nikiszowiec witnessed the hard and turbulent history of Upper Silesia in the first half of theb20th century. During both wars the whole industry became a cog in the machine of war and many miners were drafted into the army. Their place had to be filled by increasingly younger boys as well as war prisoners brought in especially for this purpose. During World War I German soldiers transported from the eastern front were hospitalized in Nikiszowiec, which led to an outbreak of a typhoid epidemic. The Silesian Uprisings and the plebiscite were difficult periods of time for the residents. During the 1^st and 2^nd uprising residents of both estates, predominantly Poles, took up arms fighting against paramilitary Freikorps organizations. They managed to succeed temporarily and for a few days Nikiszowiec was controlled by the insurgents. Ultimately, these areas were incorporated into Poland, which meant the outflow of a large percentage of German residents.

When all Polish plants of the former Giesche concern were purchased by the Silesian – American Corporation in 1926, new residents started arriving in Giszowiec – this time from across the ocean. A small clerical settlement, the so called "American colony", was erected especially for them in the southern part of the residential estate (near the current Górniczego Stanu Street). It consisted of impressive modernist villas with historicizing elements, very clearly alluding to Anglo-Saxon architecture. A vast golf course was created close to the settlement – the first one in Upper Silesia. The oldest residents of Giszowiec still recall how they used to earn extra pocket money retrieving balls for the players when they were children.

Apart from the above-mentioned difficulties, World War II left Nikiszowiec's residents with the memory of the confiscation of four out of the five church bells from St. Anne's Church for the needs of the Wermacht. On the other hand, Giszowiec inhabitants were granted the dubious privilege of having Fritz Bracht, Gauleiter and High President of Upper Silesia as their neighbor. Bracht took up residence in the villa of Anton Uthemann – former director of the Giesche concern.

The postwar years brought about further transformations. The pigpens and piekarnioki (bread stoves) in Nikiszowiec, which were once located in the center of every quarter of the residential estate, were torn down. They were no longer needed because the residents were able to purchase all food products in stores. Vast, green courtyards with playgrounds for children were built in their place.

The unique charm of the place, the specific genius loci affects not only the tourists visiting Nikiszowiec and Giszowiec, but it also inspires the residents themselves. It is here that we experienced one of the more interesting artistic phenomena of the second half of the 20th century in Upper Silesia. A group of non-professional painters active since the 1940s, presently referred to as the Janowska Group, created extraordinary paintings in which the everyday reality of mining estates smoothly intertwines with elements of fantasy and esotericism.

Since 2001, Nikiszowiec has been home to the biggest private art gallery in Poland called Wilson Shaft (comprising 2 almost 2,500 m of exhibition space). It is located in the historic interiors of the old Wilson shaft of the Wieczorek mine (formerly Giesche). The gallery has been presenting mostly modern art and its main aim is to promote young artists who are not yet known to a wider audience. Moreover, it organizes numerous concerts, spectacles and other artistic events.

While in Giszowiec, one must definitely visit Iwona Płeszka's barber's shop located at Pod Kasztanami Street, where one can admire paintings by Ewald Gawlik, an artist referred to as the "Van Gogh from Giszowiec". He was the only painter from the Janowska Group who studied art for a while and thus came across the high culture artistic trends of the time. In his works, one may notice that he drew inspiration from the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. The former owner of the shop, Ludwik Lubowiecki, was a friend of Gawlik and purchased his paintings to support him financially. An interesting collection of Gawlik's paintings is also presented in the Gawlikówka gallery.

Giszowiec has also some sad moments in its history. One of them is undeniably the period of the 1970s when the process of tearing down the old developments began in order to make room for a large slab block housing estate. This was met with protests on the part of architects, historians and district residents. These actions culminated in entering the remaining buildings into the register of historic monuments in 1978. Unfortunately, by that time only approximately 30% of the original historical development survived. Some time later Kazimierz Kutz made a very moving film titled "Paciorki jednego różańca" (The Beads of One Rosary) which tells the story of a retired miner battling to save his house which is designated for demolition.

Many tourists visiting Nikiszowiec for the first time feel they have been here before. We owe this specific déjà vu to the fact that a lot of movies set in Upper Silesia have been shot on location in Nikiszowiec. The best known productions include "Perła w koronie" (The Pearl in the Crown) and "Sól ziemi czarnej" (The Salt of the Black Earth) directed by Kazimierz Kutz, the once-famous "Kolejność Uczuć" (The Order of Feelings) starring Daniel Olbrychski and Maria Seweryn or Angelus by Lech Majewski. This last movie tells the story of the painters from the Janowska Group. Moreover, Nikiszowiec constituted the background for many musical productions.

The year 2006 saw the creation of the Industrial Monuments Route which includes many interesting industrial objects such as mines, breweries, engineering facilities or museums of an engineering and technical profile. Among them are historical places as well as still operational plants where people can see production processes first hand. Katowice has as many as three facilities along the Route – these include the historic districts of Giszowiec and Nikiszowiec, as well as the Wilson Shaft Art Gallery. All three are among the most frequently visited places in Katowice. Since 2010 the Route has been included in the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) as the only area from Central and Eastern Europe.

Making an effort to meet the demands of an increasing number of tourists as well as the residents themeselves, city authorities have implemented several infrastructure investments over the last years: the Jantor ice rink and the museum were renovated, the surface of roads was replaced, and central heating was installed in all of Nikiszowiec buildings which considerably increased the quality of air in the district.

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Data publikacji: 05.08.2026 11:25

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Data rozpoczęcia: 21.04.2022 07:25

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​​In the Polish People’s Republic (PRL) Katowice was regarded as Polish Las Vegas. At the end of the 1960s near - ly 800 neon signs illuminated the city streets. Many of them were designed on a grand scale, numerous were original and aesthetically sophisticated. Some of them covered almost entire façades, like that one on the Pedant department store at 3 Maja street. Some of them gave the impression of being mobile thanks to a sequence of lighting elements. The latter enjoyed particularly great popularity among Katowice residents and for many children an evening trip to the city centre was a considerable attraction, just due to the neon signs. The most liked ones included the Monkeys at 13, 3 Maja street, the neon sign of the Randia tea room with a cloud of steam raising above the pot, or the jumping Filipek at Stawowa street. These historic signs were not merely commercials, but true masterpieces of applied art, ranging from dynamic kinetic designs that brought the streets to life, to sophisticated graphic illustrations tailored to specific venues. They defined the visual identity of Katowice, merging industrial modernist architecture with vibrant, colorful geometry. A great return of light advertisements to Kato - wice, marked by a hundred of new and recon - structed neon signs, inspired the city authorities to create a route dedicated to them. In the very centre of the city there are display units, made specially for this purpose, where interested pe - ople can see a reconstruction of the former neon signs, the most beautiful and best known ones, archive photographs, and an outline of their history.

This route transforms the city center into an open-air museum, celebrating Katowice’s design heritage. For those wishing to dive deeper into this glowing history, iconic authentic pieces and their stories are also preserved and displayed at the Katowice Neon Warehouse (Katowicki Skład Neonów), bridging the gap between the city’s dazzling past and its modern cultural landscape.

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Data publikacji: 05.08.2026 08:00

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Data rozpoczęcia: 01.07.2026 08:00

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​ ​The street art fulfils many functions in the city space. Murals presenting people historically related to the city provide education and honour, they also honour outstanding individuals for their work and activity. Graffiti or inscriptions on the walls are a voice in the public debate, an expression of opposition to or approval for the existing situation. The street art is socially engaged, applies simple allegories and blunt expressions. It frequently originates spontaneously, under the effect of strong emotions. The street artist performances are, in a way, tattoos on the urban tissue. large-size, extremely colourful images moving art from galleries to streets allow to observe the city rhythm, present its history and development over years. The works inspired by the art of Waldemar Świerzy, an outstanding Polish poster artist (a mural presenting John Baildon, the author: Camej, the corner of Gliwicka and Bocheńskiego streets), by Jean Giraud’s illustrations (a mural painted on the occasion of Intel Extreme Masters games, the author: Mona Tusz, 53. 1 Maja street), or the works of local Janów Group (Kutz on a pony, the author: Camej, 3, Wypoczynkowa street) may be seen in Katowice streets. The first examples of wall painting appeared in our city many years ago, but only due to the committment of the artists, invited to participate in the first edition of Katowice Street Art Festival, the city space was filled with murals. Subsequent editions of this event, taking place for a decade, has led to a trend of the street art in Katowice. Because of the festival the capital of the Upper Silesia was visited by e.g. Daniel Sparkes, Aryz, Escrif, Etam Crew, MCity, and many others. Furthermore, a lot of projects - independent of the festival - were launched.

A key historical piece is the Wojciech Korfanty Mural at 6 Reja Street. Created by artist Wojtek Walczyk in 2018, it marked the 100th anniversary of Korfanty’s Reichstag speech advocating for Upper Silesia’s reintegration with Poland. The original black-and-white piece was defaced with white paint in December 2024. In response, Walczyk created a vibrant replacement, „Wojciech Korfanty Mural: A New Look”, completed in September 2025.

In addition, a significant milestone in the city’s street art history occured in 2022 with the creation of the sister cities mural on Katowicka Street. This collaborative artwork beautifully symbolizes international friendship and cultural exchange, highlighting the strong bonds between Katowice and its partner cities worldwide. Through its vibrant imaginery, which incorporates architectural icons from these twin cities, the mural serves as a lasting visual testament to unity and global connection within the local community.

For more information visit our page about murals: Murale

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Data publikacji: 05.08.2026 10:00

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Data rozpoczęcia: 01.07.2026 10:00