From Wikitravel

Katowice [1] is the largest city in Silesia in Poland with a population of about 320,000 in the city itself and over 2.1 million if the surrounding cities of the Upper-Silesian Metropolitan Union are taken into account. Located in the middle of Silesia on the banks of the river Rawa, Katowice's historical importance as Poland's main industrial centre has been indisputable in recent decades. Nowadays Katowice has also a rich cultural life with theatres, the Silesian Philharmonic, the Silesian Museum and famous concert hall is known as the Spodek. Visitors will find an interesting city with many relics, hospitable people, and easy access to the mountains and other silesian cities.

Contents 1 Understand 2 Get in 2.1 By plane 2.2 By train 2.3 By car 2.4 By bus 3 Get around 3.1 Public transport 3.2 Buses & Trams 3.3 Taxi 4 See 5 Do 5.1 Cinema 5.2 Theatre 5.3 Music 5.4 Museums 5.5 Galleries 5.6 Clubs 5.7 Events 6 Learn 7 Work 7.1 Business 7.2 Employment 8 Buy 9 Eat 9.1 Budget 9.2 Mid-range 9.3 Splurge 10 Drink 11 Sleep 11.1 Budget 11.2 Mid-range 11.3 Splurge 12 Contact 13 Stay safe 14 Cope 15 Get out

Understand

The city is at the intersection of major road and rail routes connecting Poland to the rest of Europe in all directions, with Katowice International Airport in nearby Pyrzowice. Until recently, the dominant economic sectors in the Katowice region were mining, steel, electrical machinery, electronics, and chemicals. Due to economic changes in Poland, this situation is changing, and heavy industry has given way to commerce and services. There are many new business buildings such as the Katowice Business Centre, the ALTUS Centre Building, and Punkt 44 Leisure Centre.

The origins of Katowice go back to 1397 when the settlement of Kuznica was founded. Katowice was first mentioned as a village in the middle of dense forests in 1598. In the 18th Century numerous work colonies sprang up here and in around 1769-70 the Duke of Pless established an underground coal mine. The next industrial sites were the Hohenlohe steelworks in the village of Wełnowiec, founded in 1805, the Baildon steelworks in 1828 (named after their founder, a Scotsman), and the Wilhelmina zinc works in 1834.

In 1873 Katowice achieved the status of county town. In 1897 Katowice was formed into a separate urban district, which also included the suburban municipalities of Bogucice - Zawodzie, Dąb, Wełnowiec and Załęże.

In 1889 one of the largest companies in Upper Silesia, the Kattowitzer Aktien-Gesellschaft, was set up with its headquarters in Katowice. As a result, major insurance companies and large-cap banks were attracted to the city. During the First World War, the steel industry continued to develop at a frenetic pace. Rail connections were also developed.

After Third Silesian Uprising Polish Government had decided to give Silesia considerable Autonomy with Katowice as a capital and home of the Silesian Parliament. It was the time of city most intense growth (1922-1939).

In 1975 the neighbouring municipalities of Piotrowice, Ochojec, Panewniki, Kostuchna, Wełnowiec, Szopienice, Giszowiec, Dąbrówka Mała and Murcki were merged with Katowice. Construction works are still continuing in the city centre. The main communications artery (Al. W. Korfantego) has been widened, while old industrial buildings to the west of this road have been demolished. To the east the historic Tiele-Winckler Palace has also been demolished. On the market place, old buildings have been replaced by modern shops: "Zenit" and "Skarbek", and also the "Dom Prasy".

The construction of the Roundabout and the "Flying Saucer" Sports Hall (1962 -71) had a significant impact. The Millennium Housing Estate on the border of Katowice and Chorzów, the Paderewski Estate to the east of the city, the Południe Estate covering the suburbs of Kostuchna, Piotrowice, Ligota, and the Roździeński Housing Estate should also be mentioned.

Get in

By plane

The Katowice-Pyrzowice airport in Pyrzowice (34 km from Katowice) is an airport for domestic and European flights to following cities:

Athens Barcelona Belfast Budapest Cologne Cork Dortmund Dublin Dusseldorf

Doncaster - Sheffield Edinburgh Frankfurt Frankfurt (Hann) Koln Liverpool London Milan Oslo

Palma de Mallorca Paris Paris (Beauvais) Rome Rhodes Stockholm Thessaloniki Warsaw

There's a frequent shuttle bus from outside the terminal building to the city centre dropping off near main railway station.

For further information see GTL Airport Katowice - Pyrzowice and GTL Travel

By train

Katowice Main Railway Station is located in the city center.

Trains from all parts of Poland and other countries arrive at Central Station. There are fourteen trains per day between Warsaw and Katowice and twenty-eight trains per day between Cracow and Katowice during the day; the journey takes 180 minutes (from Warsaw) and 80 minutes (from Cracow). You can arrive by train directly from Vienn, Budapest, Kiev, Berlin, Ostrava, Praha, Bohumin, Bratislava, Zilina, Cesky Tesin, Hamburg, Moskva, Minsk. The Main Station has left luggage lockers. The station is an easy two minute walk apart main Bus Station.

The trains within Poland are run by Polskie Koleje Państwowe (see PKP)

By car

The main approaches to Katowice are:

• from Cracow on the A-4 motorway; Katowice is about 60 km westward of Cracow
• from Wroclaw on the A-4 motorway; Katowice is about 180 km eastward of Wroclaw
• from Warsaw on the E-67 European main road; Katowice is about 300 km south of Warsaw
• from Cieszyn (on the southern border) on the E-75 European main road; Katowice is about 70 km north of Cieszyn

All routes converge on the main crossroads (the A-4 and E-75) which lies near the city centre. Katowice has no big car parks system but there are many small car parks along the roads in the city center.

By bus

Long-distance bus services arrive at International Katowice Bus Station (in the city centre, close to Sadowa Street). The main operator is PEKAES EUROLINES (see PEKAES EUROLINES)

Get around

Public transport

All public bus and tram transport is supervised by KZK GOP. 24h free phone information: 0 800 16 30 30. KZK GOP Website

Buses & Trams

The main bus station of the Passengers' Municipal Communication is situated near the Railway Station. Booking-Offices and the information office are situates there, open: 8 am - 6 pm. At each bus-stop there is an information board with bus routes and where they go.

There are also tramways which transport passengers within the city and beyond the limits of the city. The dispatcher's office and information of the Municipal Tramway Enterprise are situated at the tram-stop in Rynek (the market square) in Katowice.

The same ticket type is used in bus and tram. Katowice offers many different tickets. Consider, if it is better to use one-ride ticket, week-ticket or monthly ticket.

One ride ticket price:

• within one zone 2,40 PLN (normal rate) 1,20 PLN (reduced rate)
• within two zones 2,90 PLN (normal rate) 1,45 PLN (reduced rate)
• within three or more zones 3,50 PLN (normal rate)1,75 PLN (reduced rate)

Monthly ticket price (valid for one specified holder only):

• The holder is authorised to ride all bus and tram lines within one selected town (municipality): 82 PLN (normal rate) 41 PLN (reduced rate)
• The holder is authorised to ride all bus and tram lines over the entire network 96 PLN (normal rate) 48 PLN (reduced rate)
• The holder is authorised to ride all bus lines or only tram lines within one selected town (municipality) 78 PLN (normal rate) 39 PLN (reduced rate)
• The holder is authorised to ride all bus lines or only tram lines over the entire network 92 PLN (normal rate) 46 PLN (reduced rate)

Other season tickets valid for buses and trams.

Transferable:

• 1-day: normal rate 12 PLN, reduced rate 6 PLN
• 2-day: normal rate 18 PLN, reduced rate 9 PLN
• 5-day: normal rate 30 PLN, reduced rate 15 PLN
• 7-day: normal rate 34 PLN, reduced rate 17 PLN
• 14-day: normal rate 56 PLN
• monthly: normal rate 108 PLN

Taxi

Taxi-stops are situated in several places in Katowice:

• at the entrance of the railway station on the ground floor from 3 maja St.
• Plac Oddzialow Mlodziezy Powstanczej
• the "Silesia' hotel
• Skargi St.
• the "Katowice" hotel
• Korfantego Av.
• Dworcowa St.

See

• A complex of the wooden church under the invocation of St. Michel Archangel in the Kosciuszko Park
• The cathedral under the invocation of Christ the Lord 49a Plebiscytowa Street
• A Catholic chuch under the invocation of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary

• The Augsburg-evangelical church under the invocation of the Lord's Resurrection
• The edifice of the Administration Office of the Province and assumptions of Plac Sejmowy
• The Tax Collector's Office edifice with a dwelling skyscraper and the development of the southern quarter
• The Wyspianski Theater
• An urban villa at Plac Wolnosci 12a
• An architectural complex of a church, a hospital and a convent in Bogucice
• A Catholic church under the invocation of St. Szczepan
• Buildings of the Jadwizanki sisters convent
• The hospital of brothers of the Order of St. John of God
• The parish and friar cemetery
• Workers' housing estate in Giszowiec
• The mining housing estate in Nikiszowiec
• The Jewish cemetery 12 Kozielska St.
• The Sports-Show Hall "Spodek"
• The Silesian Insurgents Monument
• The gen. Jerzy Zietek Park of Culture and recreation
• The Provincial House and Hospital of the Elizabethan sisters
• The church under the invocation of Saint Apostles, Peter and Paul
• A church and a cloister of Franciscan brothers, under the invocation of Ludvig the King and the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary in Panewniki
• The church under the invocation of St. Jadwiga in Szopienice
• The church under the invocation of St. Ann in Nikiszowiec
• The church under the invocation of St. Anthony in Dabrowka Mala
• The church under the invocation of St. Joseph in Zaleze
• The church under the invocation of St. John and St. Paul in Dab
• The Garrison church under the invocation of St. Kazimierz
• A church under the invocation of St. Joseph the Worker in Jozefowiec
• The church under the invocation of the heart of Jesus the Lord in Murcki

Do

Cinema

• Swiatowid, 7 3-rd Maja Street. The primary place for art-house film in the city centre
• Rialto, 24 St Jana Street. An artist run venue which specialises in more experimental film and music and has a lovely cafe too.
• Cinema City - Punkt 44, 44 Gliwicka Street modern multiplex type cinema with approx 13 screens and IMAX 3-D system.
• Cinema City - Silesia City Center, 107 Chorzowska Street modern multiplex type cinema with 13 screens. It is located inside the biggest shopping mall in Katowice, Silesia City Center.
• Helios, 13 Uniwersytecka Street modern multiplex type cinema with approx 9 screens. This one is in Altus - the highest building in Katowice.

Theatre

• Silesian Theatre, 2 Main Market. Katowice's main repertory theatre, located in the city center.
• Theatre Korez, 2 Plac Sejmu Slaskiego. Well known for being involved in some of the most cutting-edge theatre in the city.
• Theatre Cogitatur, 9a Gliwicka Street. Experimetal theatre known also as former organizers of A'Part Festival
• Theatre A PART is contemporary visual and physical theatre group, formed by Marcin Herich, actor, director and organizer of theatre events. They are also organizers of A Part Theatre Festival
• Silesian Theatre of Doll and Actor Ateneum 10 Sw. Jana Street. One of the oldest doll's bands in Poland. They are organizers of International Festival of Doll's Theatres Katowice - For Children
• Teatr 'Gry i ludzie' ('Games and People' Theatre), 2 Niepodległości Av., experimental and maily outdoor theatral group having their scene in the old railway station

Music

• Concert Hall The Spodek, 35 W. Korfantego Avenue. Wide variety of concerts, performances and sports events.
• Silesian Philharmonic, 2 Sokolska Street.
• National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra Katowice, 2 Plac Sejmu Slaskiego.

Museums

• History of Katowice Museum 9 Szafranka St.
• Silesian Museum 3 W. Korfantego Av.
• Archidiocesan Museum, 39 Jordana St.

Galleries

• Gallery "Szyb Wilson" 1 Oswobodzenia St.

motto: Before swallow us the fires - about spirituality of our factories

• BWA Contemporary Art Gallery Katowice 6 w. Korfantego Avenue
• Parnas Contemporary Art Gallery10 Kochanowskiego Street.

Clubs

• Hipnoza Jazz Club One of most active places in Katowice . A lot of concerts, drinks and interesting dishes. 2 Sejmu Śląskiego Sq.
• GuGalander - a bar, a scene, a gallery place with good music, concerts, spectacles and so on. (their homepage is currently down)
• Elektro, 2 Sejmu Śląskiego Sq.

rather common discos

• Wyższy Wymiar - 3 Matejki St.
• Inqbator - 2 Dworcowa St.
• Sqandal - 23 3 maja St.
• Mega club - 4 Dworcowa St.
• Spiż - 22 Opolska St, a club with own small brewery
• Rentgen - Wolności Sq.

student clubs

• Arkada, 14a Bogucicka St.
• Kwadraty, 10 Franciszkańska St.
• Straszny Dwór, 19 Studencka St.
• Za szybą, 16 Studencka St.

Events

There is a lot of cultural events in Katowice. Exhibitions, concerts, festivals, spectacles and so on - thay all happen in galleries, clubs and theatres. It is impossible to mention here all of them as they appear without any regular schedule. To get information 'whats on' it is suggested to have a look at up-to-date internet releases of conventional press like Ultramaryna or Gazeta Wyborcze: Co jest grane bringing cultural news for whole agglomeration. Below there is a list of events that happen at regular schedule.

• Polish Directors' Art Festival "Interpretacje" , Festival of theatres and TV drama - its a competition of directors for "Konrad Prize".
• "A Part" Theatre Festival is international review of alternative and experimental "OFF" theatres rather than classic ones.
• Summer Theatre Garden "LOT" are summertime outdoor every weekend theatre meetings with comedy and cabaret spectacles. It is organized by Korez theatre.
• "Cult" Film Festival , Festival of esteemed films. There are numerous in- and out-door movie shows and concerts.
• "Rawa Blues" Festival is the biggest in-door blues festival in the world. It happens every year since 1981, from the beginning Rawa Blues is led by the bluesman Irek Dudek.
• "Metalmania" Metal Music Festival , The most prestigious metal festival in Poland and in this part of Europe.
• Mayday , Polish edition of international technoparty located in "Spodek".
• Grzegorz Fitelberg International Competition For Conductors Prestige open competition for conductors of all nationalities.
• International Students' Festival of Folklore Annual festival of folkloristic music and dance takes place at the end of summer not only in Katowice but also in many other places in the region. It is organized by Silesian University.

Learn

1. University of Silesia (Uniwersytet Śląski)
2. Silesian Academy of Economics (Akademia Ekonomiczna w Katowicach)
3. Silesian Academy of Music (Akademia Muzyczna w Katowicach)
4. Silesian Academy of Sports (Akademia WF w Katowicach)
5. Medical University of Silesia (Śląska Akademia Medyczna)
6. Silesian Academy of Fine Arts (Akademia Sztuk Pięknych w Katowicach)
7. Silesian University of Technology - Faculty of Materials Science and Metallurgy and Faculty of Transport

• ~80 High school
• ~35 Gymnasium (school)
• ~55 Primary education
• ~50 Libraries among them Library of Silesia one of the biggest and most important (national) libraries in Poland

Work

Business

Silesia and especially Katowice is one of major business centres of Poland. Silesia is the main industrial centre in Poland, its economy used to be based on coal, metallurgy, energetics, and chemical industry. Nowadays it is converting to more modern profile - services and information technology. The most of industrial works are located outside the city in the surrounding locations meanwhile offices remain in Katowice. There are institutions supporting development and economic growth of the region:

• The Katowice Special Economic Zone
• Upper-Silesian Regional Development Agency

There is also company-organizer of numerous tradeshows and fair in Katowice: INTERNATIONAL KATOWICE FAIR

For those interested in renting office spaces there are variuos offers. From XIX/XX century adapted houses and old factories ( like B-class old printing house ) to A class skyscarpers - two mostly noticable are ALTUS and Chorzowska 50.

Employment

Buy

Eat

Budget

• Złoty Osioł, 1 Mariacka Street, vegetarian bar having unusual atmosphere and events like poet meetings or concerts
• Naleśnikarnia, 24 Wojewódzka Street, small hidden bar serving pancakes and crepes at affordable prices
• Bar Mleczny "Europa", 8 Mickiewicza Street, one of so called "milk bars" where you can have a meal without spending a lot of money, milk bars are preferred by students and travellers without fat wallet

Mid-range

Splurge

• Karcma pod Strzechom, 13 Grzyśki St., polish mountain style cottage in the area of bloks of flats. They serve folk dishes mailny, proces from modest to hogh
• Marysin Dwór, 17a Pukowca St. It is styled as countryside noble residence from old days and located in industrial area

Drink

Sleep

There are a medium number of hotels and guest houses in the Katowice area. A selection is listed below. For any mid-priced or up-market hotels, your best bet is to use one of the online booking services, such as StayPoland

Budget

• Youth Hostel "Ślązaczek", 26 Sokolska St., tel/fax (032) 259 64 87 Hostel at the Silesian Technical High School. Very budget place to stay just about the centre of the city.

• Hotel Jantor, 10 Nalkowskiej St. in old mining estate Nikiszowiec, tel/fax (032)255 71 41. Not modern but clean and cheap 2-Bed Rooms start at 24 Euro/room. Every room has own bathroom with shower, toilet and TV. Open every day all hours. The hotel has a free guarded car park and a restaurant.

• EuroHotel Katowice, 10 Nalkowskiej St. located in Nikiszowiec next to Ice Ring "Jantor", tel/fax (032) 255 46 82. 3-Bed Rooms start at 29 Euro/room. Every room has own shower, toilet and TV. The hotel has a free guarded car park and a restaurant (polish and silesian cuisine).

Mid-range

• Hotel Zaleze** 106 Gliwicka St. The Zaleze Hotel is located in a secure, but a little miners' area two kilometres west of the railway station and downtown. Transport either by tram or by taxi.

• Hotel Senator*** 3 1st Maja St. Situated in the downtown location next to the railway station within a short walk to major office buildings. The hotel is set very close in the heart of the cultural and business centre of Katowice city and Katowice coal mines. It is convenient if you travel by car, because you can park next to it.

• Hotel Silesia*** 2 Piotra Skargi St. The Silesia Hotel is located in the centre of the centre, close to the railway station and the Monument of Silesian Uprising, close to the business center and entertainment areas. Airport 30 km, Railway station 500 m.

Splurge

• Hotel Monopol**** Located in the heart of Old Town, near Old Market in Dyrekcyjna and Dworcowa Street. Hotel was opened in 1903 and it is still the most luxury hotel in Poland.

• Hotel Diament*** 9 Dworcowa Street. It is located in the heart of the city in the neighbourhood of old market, railway station and main, local transport stations.

Both hotels are very close to the most important public institutions such as: Marschall Office, Voivodship Office, Town Hall, banks, Spodek, Silesian Concert Hall and Silesian Theatre.

Those hotels differs from the others of interesting architectural structure combining modern and old elements.

• Hotel Novotel 16 Roździeńskiego St. Located in the city center, close to the Railway Station and Bus Station. In front of the hotel is situated bus and taxi stop.

• Qubus HotelPrestige**** 13 Uniwersytecka St. Recently opened four-star hotel, located in the centre of the city, not far from the popular "flying saucer" sports hall and the old town, as well as local government offices and cultural and financial institutions of the Silesian provincial capital.

Contact

Phone Katowice's area code (for landline numbers) is 032 when dialed from within Poland or +4832 from outside Poland.

Internet There are plenty of places that offer web and other internet access. These include:

• CafeKontakt Internet Café Bar: Katowice, 3 Stawowa Street
• Pub Emocje , 20 Kilińskiego St. - Hot Spot (free of charge)
• Mini Browar i Restauracja "SPIŻ" , 22 Opolska St. - Hot Spot (free of charge)
• Katowice-Pyrzowice Airport - Hot Spot (provided by Era and Plus GSM)
• Dekadencja Private Club - 20 Mariacka St. Hot Spot (free of charge)

Stay safe

Katowice is a generally safe city to stay in. Beware of the usual nuisance of petty theft (especially at Railway Station).

• Important phone numbers: police: 997, fire department: 998, ambulance: 999, all three at common, universal number 112
• Municipal guard: +48 32 986
• Watch out for pickpockets in public transport and busy places.
• Park your car in safe place, on a guarded parking if possible.
• Most long-distance trains have compartments, choose the occupied ones so you don't ride alone. Also, during night - make sure that at least one person is not asleep.

Cope

Get out

• Oświęcim and Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi camp there
• Adit of the black trout in Tarnowskie Gory
• Central Firefighting Museum in Myslowice
• Mining skansen in Zabrze
• Monumental Mine in Tarnowskie Gory
• Silesian Ethnographic Park in Chorzow
• Brewing Museum in Tychy

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