Tourist attractions

A modern, award-winning building, whose distinguishing feature is an unusual roof that creates a green valley. Its uniqueness draws attention, making it a frequent meeting place for residents and a backdrop for many photo sessions, including wedding ones. The ICC, along with other facilities in the Cultural Zone located on the site of the former mine, namely the headquarters of the National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio, the Silesian Museum, and Spodek, has become a modern showcase of Katowice. ICC combines the functions of: congress, conference, exhibition, fair, and entertainment. Together with the neighboring Spodek, which is connected by a direct passage, it creates the largest conference space in Poland. It can accommodate up to 25,000 people.

On 38 thousand square meters, the ICC has 35 conference rooms of various sizes. The largest of them, multifunctional in nature, covering over 8 thousand square meters, is designed for 12 thousand people. There is also an auditorium for 600 guests. Numerous events, often of an international nature, are organized at the ICC, such as the successive editions of the European Economic Congress, which is visited each year by representatives from the worlds of politics, economy, and science, who engage in discussions about important issues for Europe in Katowice. Not only the younger generation eagerly awaits the next finals of international e-sports competitions – Intel Extreme Masters, which involve over one hundred thousand participants, while millions of people watch the tournament battles through internet connections. The ICC also hosted events under the auspices of the UN that were a true logistical challenge – the COP24 Climate Summit, subsequent editions of PRECOP, IGF2021, and WUF11.

Although many workers' settlements have been preserved throughout Upper Silesia, the popular Nikisz stands out not only for its sophisticated architecture and the scale of its urban planning solutions but, above all, for the incredible, almost magical atmosphere of the former mining Silesia. The settlement, built between 1908 and 1927 according to the design of Emil and Georg Zillmann, consists of 9 blocks of compact, mostly three-story buildings. Known thanks to the films of Kazimierz Kutz (including "Perła w koronie" and "Sól ziemi czarnej") or "Angelus" by Lech Majewski, as well as the activities of the artists of the Janowska Group. A unique place on the map of Nikiszowiec is also the Szyb Wilson Gallery, set up in the historic spaces of the former company store and bathhouse of the "Wieczorek" mine. In 2011, by virtue of a decree by the President of the Republic of Poland, the Nikiszowiec settlement was entered on the list of Historic Monuments.

http://www.slaskie.travel/en-us/Poi/Pokaz/1715/78/nikiszowiec-settlement

The picturesque settlement-garden was set up in the years 1907-1910 and was mainly inhabited by workers of the "Giesche" Coal Mine. The architecture of workers ' cottages, built on the model of the old Upper Silesian country cottage is of particular interest. Another spectacular landmark of the district is the Siesian inn (currently turned into the Szopienice-Giszowiec House of Culture), Gawlikówka Silesian Chamber (an art gallery with an exhibition of Edward Gawlik’s paintings), as well as forestry buildings, schools and shops. Its location in the middle of the forest retreat enhances the uniqueness of Giszowiec.

http://www.slaskie.travel/en-us/Poi/Pokaz/1713/76/giszowiec-settlement

The tourist route, which includes sites that represent the Katowice architecture of the 1920s. and 1930s. It consists of 16 modernist buildings located on the trail with a total length of 5.5 km. The visitors may admire historic villas, residential houses and estates, such as the building of the Silesian Sejm, garrison church of St. Casimir the Prince. The presence of infokiosks enables you to learn the history of these places in an attractive, multimedia way. The hike along the trail takes the walkers to the interwar period and explains why Katowice was considered to be the most American of the Polish regions.

http://www.moderna.katowice.eu/en 

Blues is one of the genres that have influenced the musical landscape of Upper Silesia. Simple melodies, flowing from the depths of the heart, seasoned with a pinch of melancholy, but also a specific sense of humour, turned out to be a perfect means of expression of a Silesian soul. It is here, in Katowice and in the neighbouring cities, where the greatest artists of the Polish blues scene were active.

The Silesian Blues Route is a unique project in the world, where history of music is told by the people who took part in its creation. Here, you will find out, among others, where the idea to create the Dżem band was born, which club Lemmy Kilmister escaped from and who gave the first harmonica to Irek Dudek.

It is possible to plan a touring route thanks to a special mobile application which being started in the place where a club used to be, shows you a film with memories of musicians connected with the place.

The Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice is the oldest higher education institution located in Upper Silesia and the venue for numerous artistic, cultural and educational events. Its beginnings are connected with the State Music Conservatory, established in 1929. The main seat of the Academy is a neo-Gothic building erected in 1898. It used to house the Royal School of Construction Crafts, and during the first years following the First World War there used to be the Silesian Voivodeship Office.

In 2005-2007, the complex of the Academy of Music was enlarged with a modern edifice of the "Symphony" Science and Music Education Centre. It houses a multifunctional Concert Hall with a variable arrangement and acoustics, a sound laboratory, a library and a reading room, as well as the rooms for eurhythmics and therapeutic activities and specialist studios.

The Museum of the History of Katowice is one of the most important institutions on the cultural and scientific map of Katowice. Its core are permanent exhibitions in the main building: middle-class interiors and a historical, multimedia exhibition "Z dziejów Katowic" in three languages: Polish, English and German. In the Ethnology Department at Nikiszowiec Settlement, you can visit the interior of the working-class apartment. It is also worth visiting the sections dedicated to outstanding Katowice artists – Paweł Steller and Barbara and Stanisław Ptak.

https://mhk.katowice.pl/

Among tasks of Silesian Freedom and Solidarity Centre is conducting the exhibition in the Commemoration Museum of ‘Wujek’ Coal Mine as well as propagating freedom and anti-totalitarian ideas. Our institution was established as a result of an agreement between Silesian Voivodship and Katowice City.

The exposition is placed in a former coal-mine warehouse. Before the World War II in this building miners’ lamps were filled with carbide, later it was used as a warehouse of workers’ clothes and on 16 December 1981 it became a silent witness to tragic incidents of martial law. It is probably from the ramp of this building where the deadly shots were fired at the miners of Wujek Coal Mine. The long-term trial and the site inspection proved that several members of the special platoon observed the course of the pacification from this very spot.

https://scwis.pl/en/ 

The tourist and cultural car trail, which was created by combining dozens of industrial sites within the region of Silesia, leads through 26 towns housing 42 sites associated with mining, the AST plants, power industry, railways, telecommunications, water production and food industry. It represents the most important cultural industrial heritage of the region, including the Gliwice Radio Station and the Silesian Museum. Following the trail allows you not only to learn about the traditions of the region, but also to observe its current transformation.

http://www.zabytkitechniki.pl/en-US 

The "Las Murckowski" nature reserve was established in 1953. It covers an area of over 100 ha, including the slopes of Wanda Hill - the highest point of Katowice. The reserve protects a fragment of a natural beech forest with ancient, majestic beeches and oaks. Nature lovers will discover many protected plants here, they can also count on meeting numerous forest inhabitants, such as wild boar, roe deer and fallow deer.

Last year's sensation was the appearance of the Ural Owl - a rare and exceptional bird. In Europe, the estimated number of the species is only a few hundred pairs, which means that they have been under strict protection for years.

One of Europe's largest urban parks, located on the border of Chorzów, Katowice and Siemianowice Śląskie. Up to 620 ha of woodland and recreational area makes this place much frequented by walkers, cyclists and inline skaters. Silesian Planetarium, Legendia (formerly Silesian Amusement Park), the modernized Silesian Stadium and the Silesian Zoological Garden is the perfect place to spend a leisure afternoon. In this place, entertainment gets combined with science, providing lots of excitement and unforgettable experiences.

https://parkslaski.pl/en 

Pszczyna is a small, cosy town situated about 40 km south of Katowice, at a certain distance from large cities and separated from them by vast forest complexes. Thanks to a well-developed road and railway infrastructure, it is a perfect place for a few hours' trip to see a slightly different face of Upper Silesia and to relax from the hustle and bustle of big cities.

The heart of Pszczyna is the Castle Museum - a former family seat of the Pszczyna Princes, ranked among the most beautiful and valuable residences in Poland. Here you can visit, among others, Prince’s suites, a library, the armoury and the suite of the Prussian Emperor William II.

Tychy Brewery is one of the oldest in Poland – the beer has been brewed here since 1629. In 2004, to celebrate the 375th anniversary of the plant, the first museum in Poland dedicated to brewing beer was opened. Within the walls of the former chapel, visitors can learn about the technique of brewing this beverage. They can enjoy an extensive beer-related exhibition (including unique 19th-century bottles and cooper's tools), a 3D movie and numerous multimedia attractions. In the basement of the historic building, you can regale a mug of beer.

https://browarytyskie.pl/en/homepage/ 

The only site in Poland, being a remnant of the ancient ore mines of silver, lead and zinc, which has been made available to visitors. The trail of almost 2 km in length, runs 40 m underground. It is worth expanding the tour itinerary to include the Black Trout Adit, that gives you a unique opportunity to travel underground by boat. Both the adit and mine are on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites and Scheduled Monuments. The mine is also an anchor point in the European Route of Industrial Heritage network.

https://kopalniasrebra.pl/ 

The Zabrze coal mine was founded in the 1850’s and was an expression of the dynamic development of the industry in the Upper Silesia. After several dozen years of operation, extraction of coal finished, and today the former mine serves as the only tourist draw of this kind in Europe. Exploration of the underworld of this unique monument provides the visitors with an insight into the mining technology, allows them to learn about the work of miners and the remarkable story of this place. In addition to the Guido Mine, the Coal Mining Museum also comprises the Queen Louise Adit.

https://kopalniaguido.pl/index.php/en/ 

The Silesian Opera in Bytom is a venue where the first opera performance in post-war Poland was staged. The creator of the opera was the world-famous artist Adam Didur, who gathered a dedicated team of employees and artists, quickly gained the title of the first opera stage in the country. The Silesian Opera was the first to broadcast live on the radio in 1945. Since the beginning of its activity, it has been constantly present on stages all over the country, but it is also the first Polish theatre to perform abroad.

Since its inception, the opera is located in the municipal theatre erected at the turn of the 20th century. The building of the Silesian Opera consists of two combined parts- the Opera House and the Concert Hall, which after the fire in 2000 was restored to its original appearance, from the beginning of the 20th century.