header print

The Beauty of Katowice, Poland

Compared to Warsaw or Krakow, Katowice is not a city that sees many of tourists, but this is  not necessarily justified. Apart from the fact that it is a city with a rich history and fascinating museums, the architecture also tells its story, and it was allowed to develop a lot during the 19th century thanks to the coal mines beneath it. This is actually where the miners who worked there lived along with their families, and today it is a bustling city that has attracted many artists and their works over the years. If you are looking for a place you may not have visited in Poland yet, or if you are already in Katowice and want to know what to do, here are 10 recommended attractions that will enrich your trip.
 
Click on the images to view them in full size

1. Mariacka Street

 Mariacka Street
This street is the center of the city's life, where there are many shops, restaurants and bars where you can spend the day or night. In the evenings especially, a lot of young people come here, and along the street there are fascinating historical buildings, such as a neo-Gothic church that stands 233 feet (71 meters) tall.It is highly recommended to visit for photo souvenirs and also to enjoy the many restaurants that line the street along its 1230 feet (375 meter) length.

2. National Symphony Orchestra

Poland National Symphony Orchestra
While this place may not look like much from the outside, inside is a sprawling auditorium with decor you can only imagine. The construction of the building was completed in 2014, and the interior design presents a hall built of wood with curved balconies and acoustics that make every performance one of a kind. If possible, you should order tickets for a show to fully appreciate this hall.

3. Galeria Katowicka shopping center

Galeria Katowicka shopping center
At some point during your trip you'll want to do some shopping, and Galeria Katowice is the perfect place for that. There are about 250 shops and restaurants here, and it is a place that attracts tourists and locals alike. You can buy clothes, jewelry and even electronics here, so if you want to spend some money and treat yourself or your friends with gifts, this is the place

4. Legendia Silesian Amusement Park

Legendia Silesian Amusement Park
Local families love to visit this park, which is located on the road between Katowice and Chorzów. It is full of about 40 great attractions, including a roller coaster, a haunted house and restaurants, and most of them have a "fairy tale" atmosphere. It is actually the oldest amusement park in Poland, having been established in 1959, and has recently been redesigned and renovated. the park's roller coaster was the longest, highest, and fastest in Poland for many years, and from the Ferris wheel, you can see the green landscape of the entire park.

5. Osiedle Giszowiec Mansion

Osiedle Giszowiec MansionThis picturesque place was established in 1907 as a sort of small village for local miners, and as the name suggests, there is an estate here with beautiful houses and many gardens full of trees and plants. It was home to about 600 families, and the houses themselves are built in about 40 different designs. While apartments in concrete buildings have also been built here over the years, it is still a place with a historic atmosphere perfect for those looking to take some beautiful photos.


6. Katowic's Museum of History

 Katowic's Museum of History
This museum presents the development of Katowice over the centuries in a fascinating way. It was originally a residential building and now houses a vast collection of antique displays, located right in the center of town. The building was built in 1976, but it depicts the history of Katowice from the 13th century to the present day. There are photos, videos and interactive displays showing the transformation of Katowice into the capital of the Silesian province, and the highlight is 2 fully furnished apartments that show how the residences of bourgeois families looked in the old days

7. Kosciuszko Park

Kosciuszko Park
It is the perfect place to relax and rest, and is considered one of the most picturesque and beautiful natural areas in the city. It was established in 1888 and has classical style gardens that are now home to countless types of flowers, and there are also a host of designed street lamps that are a spectacle in themselves. It is named after Tadausz Kosciuszko, a warrior from the king's army who opposed the aristocracy and who worked for the rights of Jews and serfs during the 18th century, and it has many sculptures created by local artists. There is also a church here from 1510, as well as a 40 meter high tower commemorating the martyrs who sacrificed their lives defending the city in the war against the Nazis.

8. Valley of Three Ponds

Valley of Three Ponds
If you only have time for one park, you must visit the Valley of Three Ponds. There is a walking trail in the forest where many cyclists and fishermen pass, as well as actually 9 pools of different sizes - in the summer there are some that enter the water. Don't worry if you get hungry, because there are also several restaurants and cafes here where you can sit comfortably and in a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere

9. Silesian Museum

 Silesian Museum
In the past this place was a coal mine, and now it is a site full of gallery spaces and displays, maintaining its ancient and industrial look. There are 6 buildings here that you can tour, some of them are made of red bricks built as a glazed and modern cube. What is even more impressive is the galleries inside the ancient mine and the underground tunnels that make it up. The displays shown there are also very interesting, including works by Polish artists, various religious objects and relics from World War II.

10. Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
Anyone interested in understanding the horrors of WWII and the Holocaust should visit this museum, which commemorates these atrocities and is only an hour's drive from Katowice. Here you can see the homes of the prisoners in the camp, as well as the soldiers' quarters, the crematoria and the railroad tracks that led the Jews to their bitter fate. This was the place where more than a million Jews, gypsies, communists and others persecuted by the Nazis were brutally murdered, and you will be exposed here to the property of the victims and photos that tell their story that is important to be heard. You can join a guided tour here, which is recommended to understand the full story of what happened here.
 
Next Post
Sign Up for Free Daily Posts!
Did you mean:
Continue With: Facebook Google
By continuing, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy
Sign Up for Free Daily Posts!
Did you mean:
Continue With: Facebook Google
By continuing, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy