Katowice on sunny Saturday in April

3rd April 2016

Yesterday I was in Katowice our province capital city - which is located 18 km from my city. So it means 15 minute drive by motorway...I must admit I love Katowice because it is a lively city and there are a lot possibilities to spend a great time there..

General information Katowice

Location - Southern Poland, Silesian Voivodship Area - 164 sq km Population - 300 000 residents Density - 2000/km2 Founded 16th century City rights 1865

In the background -Neo-Romanesque Lord's Resurrection Evangelical Church from 1858. First brick sacral object in Katowice (18 Warszawska St.).

the church looks impressive..

Market square

Silesian theatre

 Theatre once again..

Walking in the sunny day is a pleasure..

The train is coming..

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).
• 
  
• 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.

Market square is renovation now...

History of the city.

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. (wikipedia)