Katowice – in the past the centre of black, industrial Upper Silesia, at present a colourful city of dreams and great events, a city of transformation, a city of gardens, a centre of science, culture and business. Due to its complicated history you can learn architecture here, especially the so-called historic styles, modernism, functionalism, social realism and avantgarde.
The symbol of the city is still the 50-year-old representative of “space architecture”, the sports and concert hall called “Spodek” (the UFO, the Flying Saucer). Another symbol is quite new Culture Zone with the Silesian Museum, the seat of the Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra and the International Congress Centre. History, music, religions, interesting people, unusual buildings and unique nature – all this waits to be discovered in Katowice. Why not with a local guide?
Depending on your interests, several sightseeing routes are suggested (other options available on request):
- Katowice – UNESCO City of Music – approx. 3 hours – A walk in the footsteps of music and musicians in Katowice – we will see The Silesian Philharmonic, the Academy of Music, the former and present seat of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, sports and concert hall called “Spodek”, music clubs.
Siedziba Narodowej Orkiestry Symfonicznej Polskiego Radia w Katowicach
- Katowice now and then – 3-6 hours – A walk showing the transformation of the city – from the centre of an industrial region of Silesia to a modern centre of science, art, business and culture. We will see how the architecture, streets and inhabitants have changed in different periods of history.
- The Modernist Architecture Trail – 2-3 hours – A walk along the Route of Modernism including the most interesting buildings in Katowice built in the inter-war period – from the seats of the Silesian Parliament and Katowice Radio to the first Polish skyscraper and the Church of St. Casimir.
- Nikiszowiec and Giszowiec – historic miners’ residential districts – 3-4 hours – Designed by Georg and Emil Zillmann, over a hundred-year-old housing estates built for miners, both of them famous for their unusual architecture and unique Silesian atmosphere.
Nikiszowiec - Multicultural Katowice – approx. 3 hours – A walk in the footsteps of different cultures and religions – the oldest churches in Katowice (Evangelical and Catholic), Synagogue Square, other places of worship.
- A Ghost Walk – approx. 3 hours (in the evening) – known and unknown stories about people who have passed away and places that have gone down in history (the stories will feature the ghosts of Katowice’s former owners and builders, famous politicians, priests, musicians, artists).
The sports and concert hall called “Spodek”
- Katowice – a green city – approx. 2 hours – recreation: Nordic Walking or a walk through the Ochojec floristic reserve, Las Murckowski nature reserve, Dolina Trzech Stawów (The Three-Pond-Valley). Other locations near the border of Katowice, e.g. Starganiec lake and forest or The Silesian Park on request.
- The Mural Art – approx. 3 hours – examples of Katowice murals created during Street Art Festivals, and others, depicting people and events important for our city and region (due to the distance public transport, a car or a bike trip recommended).
