Katowice from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Katowice.
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Prices on the page are as of September 2018.
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Katowice Hotels
This is not to say that there is such an abundance of hotels in Katowice, but there is still plenty to choose from. At Jopi Hostel, for 11-14 EUR per person you can rent a double room, which will have free access to Wi-Fi, and in the morning you will be served toast with jam and tea and coffee. The three-star Hotel Diament will ask its guests from 27-30 EUR per night, and rooms in the four-star Best Western Premier Katowice Hotel will cost from 35 to 130 EUR per night. Up-to-date information about overnight accommodation in Katowice can always be found on the city website. When researching housing, don’t forget that holiday season There may be problems with hotel rooms, while during the rest of the year a hotel may not even be booked.
Cuisine and restaurants of Katowice
This may seem strange to industrial city(where, it would seem, nourishing and high-calorie food should be popular), but one of the most popular cafes there is the vegetarian establishment “Golden Donkey”. The unique spirit of the hippie movement hovers here to this day, and concerts and poetry evenings invariably attract large audiences here. However, there is no shortage of places that serve tasty and satisfying dishes national cuisine, the city is not experiencing. Karcma pod Strzechom and Marysin Dwór, decorated in an old country style befitting their name, always welcome visitors. Fans of Italian cuisine will not pass by the La Grotta trattoria, located in the city center (on Wawelska Street), not far from the pedestrian part, and exotic lovers will undoubtedly be delighted to find the Chinese Restauracja a Dong on Matejki Street. And don't forget about the city's surroundings! For example, about Promienice, where a restaurant in the forest serves very tasty food.
Weather in Katowice
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Shopping and shops
It is impossible to be in the city and not visit the local souvenir shops and shopping centers. We won’t even try to do this (especially since Katowice has extremely pleasant low prices for a variety of products), but let us immediately inform you that real shopaholics need to remember these names: “Gallery Katowice”, “Silesium City Center” on Chorzowska Street and “Rawa Park” not far from the city center. The Trzy Stawy shopping center is also quite good and deserves attention, as well as all kinds of shops in the pedestrian part of the city selling various souvenirs.
Katowice
Entertainment and attractions in Katowice
30 km south of Katowice is the world-famous Auschwitz. You can get from the city to the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial complex by train; the excursion is possible only as part of an organized group and costs 10 EUR maximum (if the guide tells the story in a language other than Polish). Since visiting this mournful place makes a very strong and depressing impression, do not take children with you.
Katowice itself, despite all its modernity and industrialism, is an interesting city. Church Holy Virgin St. Mary's Church (or St. Mary's Church, as locals call it), built in the New Gothic style, the Baroque Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the wooden Church of St. Michael the Archangel are excellent examples of the architecture of past centuries. Modern attractions include the Spodek sports and entertainment center, a monument to the heroes of the three Silesian uprisings, and the monumental Silesian Concert Hall. There are many museums in the city: archaeological, historical, museum of ancient interiors and even an excellent planetarium and observatory - especially popular with children.
Adults will certainly be interested in trips to the nearby towns of Gliwice, Racibórz, Sosnowiec, Zabrze, where you can admire the mountains and castles. And, of course, numerous festivals (theater, blues and metal, cinema and folk) taking place in the city from spring to autumn. But all kinds of exhibitions and concerts take place here all year round, so it’s very, very difficult to call Katowice dull.
The first records of Katowice date back to the end of the 16th century. The history of the city began with several small agricultural Slavic settlements and one large forge. In their place are modern city blocks. Forges were built in areas covered with a network of rivers and swamps, in places where iron ore lay shallow. Already at the end of the 14th century, the Bogucice Forge was mentioned, located on the banks of the Rava River; next to it there were 3 more similar mini-factories. One can only guess about the origin of the name of the city; there are versions that it came from the name of one of the tenants named Kat or from “Katie”, which in the old days meant “hut for workers” at a logging site. In the second half of the 16th century, the first agricultural settlements appeared in the region.
The industrial development of Katowice began in the mid-19th century and was closely linked to the construction railway. The settlement grew rapidly, in 1865 it was granted municipal rights, and soon the status of a powiat.
During the reign of Friedrich Grundmann, the first monumental object was erected - the Evangelical Church on Warsaw Street, next to it the Church of Our Lady was built in the neo-Gothic style, then the monastery of the brothers of the Order of St. John, hospitals and a monastery shelter. At the end of the 19th century, several coal and metallurgical industrial associations, a miners' guild, a state postal administration, the Prussian railway administration, and a district court were created here. All this contributed to the acceleration of the development of the steel industry and coal mines.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the City Theater was erected on the Market Square by the architect Karl Moritz, a native of Cologne. The building of the third railway station, built in those years, has survived to this day. First World War did not harm the city; on the contrary, it contributed to increased industrial development, as metallurgical plants began to receive more orders. After the war, the city became the capital of the autonomous Silesian Voivodeship.
In the period between the two world wars, Katowice developed intensively, from a small industrial center in Prussia it turned into the richest economic center of Poland and the capital of a region with a developed economy. In 1924, 53 banks and 14 foreign diplomatic missions were opened in the city, and it had extensive international connections. Along with the influx of foreign capital, the volume and pace of construction in Katowice expanded, and its southern part grew especially rapidly. Residential areas were built with exclusive houses, religious buildings were erected. In 1926, the Mukhovets airport building was erected.
At the beginning of 1939, troops left Katowice to fight the German army. In September of this year, all territories of Upper Silesia passed to the Third Reich. The Nazis, in control of Katowice, set fire to the synagogue building on Mickiewicz Street and destroyed the Silesian Museum (the building has now been restored). After the end of the war, the city quickly returned to its former glory as an industrial, scientific, administrative and cultural center.
Katowice today
Today, Katowice is the most densely populated and urbanized region in Poland, it is part of an urban agglomeration of 3 million and is the most attractive region for investors, with trade and small businesses actively developing. The city remains the center of Upper Silesia, where trade and industrial fairs are held annually, and the huge Spodek concert hall is the best stage in the country for popular rock concerts and meetings with famous world names, for example, see the brutal guys from Linkin Park or the charismatic Emir Kusturica is quite possible. There are many cafes, restaurants, and even a hotel near the popular arena, which is very convenient for those who visited the city just for the concert.
How to get to Katowice?
Getting to the capital of the region is not difficult; the huge railway station receives direct and transit trains daily from Prague, Minsk, Wroclaw, Moscow, Lvov, Odessa, London, Kyiv, Vienna and other European cities. You can get to Katowice by air from 32 settlements, six airlines. Travel time from Krakow and Ostrava is just over 2 hours, from the airport to the city center the distance is 33 km, a city bus leaves from the airport terminal to the city center every 20 minutes.
Public transport in Katowice
The capital has a well-developed system public transport. A bus or tram ticket costs 3 zlotys, can be used within one zone, it is valid for 15 minutes, during which time you can change from one route to another route or mode of transport within the zone. There are tickets that allow you to travel for at least a whole day within the three zones. You can go to Chorzów by tram; most routes have a stop at Rynek. Tickets must be purchased at kiosks with bright yellow cars, or at tram stops. The fine for free travel is 90 zlotys plus the cost of the ticket.
Where to exchange currency in Katowice?
Bank branches and exchange offices are located in the airport building (near the terminals); they are open from 8 am to 8 pm. Exchange offices (offices) are also located in large tourist centers and hotels, but rates may vary greatly. The highest rate is for 1 dollar - 3.10 zlotys, for 1 euro - 4 zlotys, for 1 pound sterling they can pay about 5 zlotys.
Where to live in the city?
If you have not booked a hotel in advance, you can immediately turn right at the exit from the train station and walk to Hostel Katowice Centrum. There you can rent a bed for the night for 30 zlotys. Tea or coffee is included in the price of your overnight stay. There are many hotels near the station; from this area it is easy to get to other parts of the city, since transport runs regularly and there is a lot of it. If you want comfort full program, the 5-star Monopol Hotel, located in the very center of the city, can be an ideal place to relax and spend the night. It's a 2-minute walk from the station. The Art Deco style interior, restaurants serving Polish and Italian cuisine, a jacuzzi, a sauna, a steam room, and a fitness center will make your vacation unforgettable; in addition, the hotel offers trips with an instructor to magnificent golf courses.
What to see in Katowice?
A must-visit is Kościuszko Park, spread over 72 hectares of land. This is very a nice place with well-groomed flower beds and elegant sculptures, however, you should not go there in the evening for safety reasons. The decoration of the park is the wooden church of St. Michael the Archangel, built at the beginning of the 16th century. Everything inside the building is also made of wood – the walls, seats, floors.
Citizens also revere a monument built after the death of Pope John Paul II, erected in 2006, who was one of the honorary citizens. The monument is located near Cathedral and is a complete copy of the statue installed in the capital of Uruguay.
From Katowice you can go to a place that is unlikely to be inspiring for tourists, but still, it is history. In general, we are talking about the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau or Auschwitz. Many people are indelibly impressed by the “standing cells”, the torture yard and other “inventions” of the fascists. Buses to this “horror movie” depart from PKS station. The trip takes about an hour, it is better to go in the morning, there are flights at 9:00 and 10:00. Entrance to the camp is free, a Polish guide costs 0.25 zlotys, but there are no Russian speakers, they can only be booked in advance for organized groups.
Katowice is an attractive city, a trip here gives the most vivid impressions that remain in the memory for a lifetime.
Katowice is the capital of the Silesian Voivodeship, which is located in southern Poland. This is a fairly young town, founded in the nineteenth century, and it received city status in 1865.
History of the city of Katowice
After Stalin died, in 1953 the city was renamed Stalinogrud, but three years later the city again began to proudly bear the name Katowice. In 1999, the city received the status of the capital of the Silesian Voivodeship. And from 1975 to 1998, Katowice was the capital of the Katowice Voivodeship. The city of Katowice is the center of the coal and metallurgical industries.
Sights of Katowice
This wooden church of the Holy Archangel is the oldest building in the city. It is located in Kosciuszko Park. The church was built in 1510 and functioned as a parish church. The interior of the temple was decorated with a variety of antique elements, including a sixteenth-century wooden carving of a Mother and Child in her arms, a seventeenth-century pulpit made of wood, and a fifteenth-century crypt. The bell tower, which stands alone, dates from 1679.
In this museum, visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the development of the city, thanks to the exhibitions that are exhibited there. The museum is housed in a magnificent modern house built in 1908. There you can get acquainted with various historical documents, photographs, architectural drawings and valuable paintings, and there are also entire furnished rooms there. Household items, clothes, furniture and dishes are stored there; all these things tell about the life of the middle class and wealthy bourgeoisie.
This museum contains interesting exhibitions dedicated to the culture and art of Upper Silesia. Here you can look at various interiors of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, which were common in Silesian huts, paintings by the famous Polish artist Ewald Gawlik. From time to time, seminars on some historical topic are held in this place, and they also conduct cooking practice. traditional dishes this region.
Silesian Museum
This museum was opened in 1929, the initiator of the opening was Tadeusz Dobrovolski, he was the director. The museum's exhibition was so extensive that in 1936 it was decided to build a new modern building. But, alas, it was not possible to open a new building, since the Germans, who at that time had already occupied the city, dismantled the buildings. This museum was revived in 1984, but restoration work lasted until 1992. There are more than one hundred thousand various objects of art from archeology and ethnography, as well as paintings by famous Polish artists such as Józef Helmonski, Tadeusz Makowski, and Jan Matejko.
This building is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. It was built in 1870 in the neo-Renaissance style. The initiators of the construction were the Goldstein brothers, who owned several sawmills. This two-story building is luxuriously decorated with stucco and decorated with sculptures of three women. These sculptures represent industry, science and art. Inside, everything looks quite elegant, which indicates the wealth of the former owners. Throughout the twentieth century, there was so much to see in this palace. There was a Polish Friendship Society, a chamber of commerce, a theater, then a cinema and many other various establishments. Now the Goldstein Palace is the property of the Katowice administration.
In Katowice, on the Market Square, there is the largest theater in all of Silesia. It was built in 1907 in the style of Art Nouveau and Neoclassicism. The architect of this building, Karl Moritz, decorated the facade of the building with luxurious bas-reliefs, and the main staircase that led to the entrance with amazingly beautiful lanterns. In the twentieth century, very famous Polish actors performed on the stage of this theater. The theater's repertoire mainly consists of works from world and Polish classics.
This monument is one of the main symbols of the city. This is a memorial that is dedicated to the three uprisings of the inhabitants of the voivodeship against the German authorities. The monument was opened in September 1967. Wojciech Zablocki was the architect of the monument, and the sculptor was Gustav Zemla. Their steel design represents three eagle wings, which are a symbol of the Silesian uprisings of 1919-1921.
This is another symbol of the city. Spoden is a large sports and entertainment hall in the shape of a saucer. This facility was built over seven years, starting in 1964. His total area is 339 thousand square meters. Due to the fact that the hall is very spacious, it can accommodate about twelve thousand people; major musical and, of course, sporting events are held there, attracting a large number of people not only from all over Poland, but also from other countries. The most famous bands have performed and often perform in Spodek.
The city of Katowice will leave pleasant memories for those who came here for new, vivid impressions.
Despite the fact that the Polish city of Katowice officially appeared only at the beginning of the 19th century, its history is much longer, because according to the research of historians, the first settlements appeared in the 14th century. Katowice gained fame as an industrial center in which coal mining occupied the first place.
The city amazes with the abundance of various monuments, historical buildings, museums, religious buildings and attracts an increasing number of tourists every year.
Thanks to a well-established transport system, you can get to Katowice in the most different ways: by car, train, bus, plane.
Once upon a time there was one synagogue in Katowice. With the passage of time and the increase in the number of people professing Judaism, the city authorities ordered the construction of a new Great Synagogue. Interesting fact that the design was carried out by the son of the architect who built the first synagogue.
Unfortunately, this building has not survived to this day, as it was burned during the Second World War by the Germans who captured the city.
There were proposals and disputes about the restoration of the destroyed building, which continue to this day.
In memory of the numerous victims of the Jewish people, a stone with a memorial plaque was installed on the site where the Great Synagogue once stood.
The luxurious palace, located on the western side of the city, attracts many tourists with its original decoration, skillfully made stucco moldings and beautiful sculptures. The interior decoration will also not leave connoisseurs of beautiful architecture indifferent.
The history of the palace dates back to the 19th century, when a rich and noble family of industrialists ordered the construction of a family nest. After the family moved to another city, the building began to be used for the needs of the Chamber of Commerce, and then as a cinema and theater. Nowadays, offices are located here.
Location: plac Wolności - 12a.
Silesia (whose honorary capital is called Katowice) is historical territory, which includes Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany.
The museum contains a large number of exhibits, some of which were stolen by the Nazis during the war. Today, every visitor to this land can appreciate the work of local artists, study rare historical photographs, examine artifacts obtained during archaeological excavations, thereby getting closer and better acquainted with the history of Katowice.
Location: Dobrowolskiego - 1.
A beautiful building, the exterior of which is made of red brick. The construction is relatively recent, construction was completed at the beginning of the 20th century. When the city administration began to look for a place for this religious site, various proposals were brought up for discussion.
It became known about the sale of a farm plot that met all the requirements for future construction. Inside the guests of this pleasant and quiet place can see beautiful stained glass windows and statues.
Location: Mikołowska - 32.
The history of the museum's origins is interesting. At the end of the 19th century, the building housed stables and other utility rooms. After the renovation, the question of arrangement and purpose of the building arose. One of the options was to create a museum of everyday life with original objects that clearly demonstrate daily life local population. In addition, the walls of the rooms are decorated with works by the artist E. Havlik.
The specificity of the Silesian Hut is that guests are invited to take part in the traditional activities of the inhabitants of the 19th century - pickling cabbage, baking and cooking lard.
A visit to the local museum will help you study the history of the city and its inhabitants. The four-story building was the former residence of two rich and noble families of the city.
The permanent exhibition of the museum represents various documents and photo evidence of significant city events, various objects. Some copies date back to the 13th century.
The church is unusual in that the ideas for its construction changed during the process. The fact is that due to a lack of funds, the city administration had to simplify the architectural plans. It was also decided to build the church from a cheaper material – gray stone. Inside you can admire the beautiful stained glass windows.
Location: Plac ks. dr. Emila Szramka - 1.
The park is a great place for leisurely romantic walks or active sports. It is very popular among dog lovers. Almost at any time you can meet four-legged friends and their owners here. Several playgrounds have been installed, so a trip to Kosciuszko Park provides an opportunity for every family member to have a good, fun time.
A private museum, the owner of which is a true connoisseur of music and a true enthusiast of his craft. It is noteworthy that he also conducts interesting excursion, telling about the history of the exhibits, and allows you to try your hand at playing any instrument.
Before planning a visit to the museum, you must first contact the management and discuss your desired time of arrival.
Location: Krzywa - 4.
The concert hall is a local attraction, a visit to which will add an original touch of musical aesthetics. Please note that the price for entry tickets considerable, but there is one trick: about half an hour before the event at the box office concert hall You can purchase unsold tickets at a discount. Of course, there is a certain amount of luck in this, since the performances are very popular and there may simply not be free tickets.
The Spodek Arena has an original appearance, the roof resembles a huge flying saucer. This is one of the first city buildings designed in a modern style. The stadium is in demand among local residents, famous for their passion and reverent attitude towards sporting competitions.
Spodek serves as a training ground for many clubs. Despite the fact that construction was completed in the middle of the 20th century, this sports facility is equipped with the necessary communications and meets all international requirements.
Location: aleja Korfantego - 35.
Being part of the historical region of Upper Silesia and the capital of the Silesian Voivodeship. The city lies in the Katowice Upland region and is washed by the waters of two rivers, Rawa and Klodnica.
Peculiarities
This is one of the youngest cities in the country, which has already become a center of the coal and metallurgical industry, annually bringing considerable income to the state treasury. The tourist infrastructure is well developed here, there is an impressive number of shops, restaurants, shopping and entertainment centers. There are not many hotels in Katowice, but, nevertheless, the choice is very diverse, from inexpensive hostels and modest budget hotels to comfortable rooms in presentable hotels of the highest quality. In the summer, accommodation should be booked in advance, as the rush is quite high. Urban architecture largely resembles an industrial metropolis, although there is also room for green spaces and park areas. Numerous churches and cathedrals are a wonderful decoration of the streets and avenues. For inquisitive tourists, museums and diverse exhibitions held annually in Katowice are of considerable interest. A large number of people gather here during various festivals, concerts and special events dedicated to important events in music, cinema, art and other fields of activity.
general information
The area of the city territory occupies almost 165 square meters. km, and the population is over 320,000 people. Time lags behind Moscow by 1 hour in summer and 2 in winter. Time zone UTC+1 and UTC+2 in the summer. Telephone code (+48) 32. Official website www.um.katowice.pl.
A brief excursion into history
Katowice received city status in 1865 and, thanks to the presence of coal mines, as well as the construction of a railway in these places, began to develop rapidly, gradually turning into one of the most progressive industrial cities in Poland. In 1953, after the death of I. V. Stalin, the country’s communist authorities decided to rename the city Stalinogrud, but very soon it returned to former name. Since 1999, Katowice has become the center of the Silesian Voivodeship.
Climate
The region has a mild, warm climate with relatively warm winters and not hot summers. The average air temperature from December to January fluctuates around +1 degrees, and in the summer months it is limited to +20 - +22. Precipitation falls more or less evenly throughout the year. It is best to come here in the summer, when the weather is quite stable and predictable, and the aroma of freshness is in the air.
How to get there
Nearest international Airport is located 34 km from the city, and flights are operated by LOT. Buses run directly from the airport to Katowice with high frequency. With cities in Poland and with other nearby European countries it is also connected by rail. You can get to the city by train from these major cities like Vienna, Bratislava, Kyiv, Berlin and some other European cities. There are also bus routes. For example, a trip from Warsaw takes about 6-7 hours and costs about 20 euros. Train prices vary depending on the class of carriage, route length and other nuances.
Transport
The most common type of transport for moving within the city limits is the bus. For car enthusiasts, there is a car rental point right at the Katowice Airport, which you can use in order not to depend on public transport, which in turn is excellently organized here.
Attractions and entertainment
About 30 km from the city there is one of the most tragic places in human history - the territory of the former German concentration camp Auschwitz. Now the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial complex is located there, where excursion groups are regularly brought. Since visiting these places cannot be called pleasant, and the impressions left are extremely painful, children are not recommended to go there. Among the most famous religious architectural sites of the city, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, decorated in the Gothic style, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the wooden Church of St. Michael the Archangel stand out. From modern facilities The Spodek sports and entertainment complex, the building of the Silesian Concert Hall and the memorial monument dedicated to the heroes of the 3 Silesian uprisings are worthy of attention. A very exciting program awaits museum lovers in Katowice. The doors of such cultural institutions as archaeological and historical museums, as well as the museum of ancient interiors, are hospitably open for them. A visit to the planetarium will give children a lot of bright impressions. In the surrounding area there are many scenic spots, where people who are interested in history can admire ancient castles and appreciate the natural beauty of the local landscapes. Local nightclubs, open from evening until the morning, are an excellent opportunity to have fun for fans of music and dance. In addition, theater, music, cinema and folklore festivals are held here every year, which invariably arouse great interest among both local residents and tourists.
Kitchen
Among the cafes and restaurants in the city offering dishes for every taste, it is worth highlighting such establishments as Karcma pod Strzechom, decorated in the spirit of antiquity, the vegetarian cafe “Golden Donkey”, the Chinese restaurant Restauracja a Dong and the Italian La Grotta, in the very center of Katowice. Great importance is attached to all kinds of drinks, the range of which is invariably wide almost everywhere.
Shopping
The windows of local shops and shopping malls, which offer a variety of goods and souvenirs, promise a lot of pleasure for shopping lovers. Among the most reputable and visited are the Silesium City Center, the Katowice Gallery, Rawa Park and Trzy Stawy. There are many small shops and souvenir shops on the streets and avenues where you can make purchases for relatively little money.
Katowice is noticeably different from traditional old Polish cities and much more consistent with the image of a modern industrial center. It is ideal for tourists who prefer an eventful holiday, with a rich cultural, entertainment and excursion program.
