'Katowice' (; , ) is a
city in
Silesia in southern
Poland on the
Kłodnica and
Rawa rivers.
Since
1999 Katowice is the capital of the
Silesian Voivodeship. Previously, it was the capital of the
Katowice Voivodeship, and before then, of the
Autonomous Silesian Voivodeship. Katowice is the main city of the
Upper Silesian Industry Area and the most populous member of the
Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union. Its population is 317,220 (2006) within a greater
metropolitan area populated by 3,487,000 people (2004).
History
The area around Katowice,
Upper Silesia, has been inhabited by ethnic Silesians from its earliest history. It was first ruled by the Polish Silesian
Piasts dynasty (until its extinction). From
1335 were a part of
Czech lands.
1526 fall into the
Habsburg domains. The city itself was founded in the 19th century, a period while the area was under
Prussian rule since
1742, and Katowice gained city status in
1865.
Inhabited mainly by Germans,
Silesians, Jews and Poles, Katowice became part of the
Second Polish Republic following the
Silesian Uprisings throughout the Silesian region between
1918 and
1921. The land was subsequently divided by an allied commission and the
League of Nations, leaving ''Kattowitz'' on the Polish side and with significant Autonomy (
Silesian Parliament as a constituency and Silesian Voivodship Council as the executive body).
Cathedral in Katowice
The city flourished due to large mineral (especially
coal) deposits in the nearby mountains. Extensive city growth and prosperity depended on the coal mining and steel industries, which took off during the
Industrial Revolution. But recently, due to
economic reforms, there is a shift away from
heavy industry, and towards
small businesses.
Between
1953-
1956 it was renamed ''Stalinogród'' - "
Stalin City" by
Polish communists.
Severe
ecological damage to the
natural environment occurred during the post-
Second World War time of communist governance in the
People's Republic of Poland, but recent changes in regulations, procedures and policies of
post-communist Polish government have reversed much of the harm that was done.
Geography
Location
In administrative terms, Katowice is an urban community in the eastern part of
Upper Silesia, now in
Silesian Voivodeship in south-west Poland, within the central portion of the
Upper Silesian Coal Basin. It borders with following towns:
Chorzów,
Siemianowice Śląskie,
Sosnowiec,
Mysłowice,
Lędziny,
Tychy,
Mikołów,
Ruda Śląska and
Czelad. In geographical terms, it lies between the
Vistula and
Oder rivers, on the
Katowice Highland, part of the
Silesian Highland. Several rivers flow through the city, the major two are
Kłodnica and
Rawa River.
Climate
The climate of the area is continental humid. The average temperature is 17 degrees
Celsius (-5
°C in January and up to 30°C in July). Yearly rainfall averages at 750
mm, the most rainy month being July.
Districts
Districts of Katowice
Culture
Katowice, Silesian Theatre
Theater
★
Silesian Theater (Teatr Śląski im.
Stanisława Wyspiańskiego)
★ Ateneum Theater
★ Korez Theater
★ Cogitatur Theater
★ Rialto Cinetheater
Cinema
★
IMAX Katowice
★
Cinema City - Punkt rozrywki 44 ( 13 halls )
★
Cinema City -
Silesia City Center ( 13 halls )
★ Helios Cinema Center ( 9 halls )
★ Światowid Cinema ( 1 halls )
★ Rialto Cinetheater ( 1 halls )
★ Cinematographic Arts Center ( 2 halls )
Music
★
Silesian Philharmonic
★ Silesian Estrade
★ Scene GuGalander
★ Mega Club
★ Narodowa Orkiestra Symfoniczna Polskiego Radia
Museum
★
Silesian Museum
★ History of Katowice Museum
★ Muzeum Archidiecezjalne
★ Muzeum Misyjne OO. Franciszkanów
★ Muzeum Biograficzne P. Stellera
★ Muzeum Prawa i Prawników Polskich
★ Muzeum Najmniejszych Książek Świata Zygmunta Szkocnego
★ Izba Śląska
★ Centrum Scenografii Polskiej
★ Śląskie Centrum Dziedzictwa Kulturowego (Silesian center of refreshment and culture)
Media
:TV stations:
★
TVP 3 Katowice
★
TVN24 - department Katowice (TVN24 - oddział Katowice)
:radio stations:
★
Radio Katowice
★
Antyradio
★
Radio Roxy FM
★
Radio Planeta
:newspapers
★
Dziennik Zachodni
★
Gazeta Wyborcza - Katowice section
★
Fakt - Katowice section
★
Echo Miasta
★
Metro (newspaper) - Katowice
★
Nowy Przegląd Katowicki
Festivals and Events
★
Rawa Blues Festiwal -
Spodek
★
Metalmania -
Spodek
★
Mayday -
Spodek
★ Międzynarodowy Konkurs Dyrygentów im. G. Fitelberga
★ Międzynarodowy Festiwal Orkiestr Wojskowych
★ Międzynarodowa Wystawa Grafiki "Intergrafia"
★ Ogólnopolski Festiwal Sztuki Reżyserskiej "Interpretacje"
★ Ars Cameralis Silesiae Superioris (Górnośląski Festiwal Sztuki Kameralnej)
Art Galleries
★ Galeria Sztuki Współczesnej BWA Al. Korfantego 6
★ Galeria Sztuki Współczesnej Parnas ul. Kochanowskiego 10
★ Galeria Sztuki Atelier 2 ul. Batorego 2
★ Galeria Związku Polskich Artystów Plastyków ul. Dworcowa 13
★ Galeria Architektury SARP ul. Dyrekcyjna 9
★ Galeria Art-Deco pl. Andrzeja 4
★ Galeria Fra Angelico ul. Jordana 39
★ Galeria Akwarela ul. Mikołowska 26
★ Galeria Marmurowa ul. Mikołowska 26
★ Galeria Piętro Wyżej
★ Galeria Sektor I
★ Galeria Szyb Wilson
Parks & Squares
★
Silesian culture and refreshment park - Wojewódzki Park Kultury i Wypoczynku
★
Tadeusz Kościuszko Park (Park im. Tadeusza Kościuszki)
★
Zadole Park (
Ligota - Panewniki)
★ Bolina Park (
Janów - Nikiszowiec)
★ Janina-Barbara Park (
Giszowiec)
★ Olympic Participants' Park (Park Olimpijczyków) (
Szopienice)
★ Forest Park of Katowice (Katowicki Park Leśny)
★ Murckowska Valley (
Murcki)
★ Ośrodek Wodno-Rekreacyjny Kleofas (
Osiedle Tysiąclecia)
★ Three Ponds' Valley (Dolina Trzech Stawów) (
Osiedle Paderewskiego - Muchowiec)
★ Ponds: Borki, Morawa and Hubertus (
Szopienice)
★ Wolność Square (Plac Wolności) (
Śródmieście)
★ Andrzej Square (Plac Andrzeja) (
Śródmieście)
★ Miarka Square (Plac Miarki) (
Śródmieście)
★ Council of Europe Square (Plac Rady Europy) (
Osiedle Paderewskiego - Muchowiec)
★ Alfred Square (Plac Alfreda) (
Wełnowiec)
★ A. Budniok Square (Plac A. Brudnioka) (
Koszutka)
★ J. Londzin Square (Plac J. Londzina) (
Załęże)
★ A. Hlond Square (Plac A. Hlonda) (
Śródmieście)
Nature reserves
★ Nature reserve Las Murckowski
★ Nature reserve Płone Bagno
★ Szopienice - Borki
Architecture
.jpg)
Chorzowska 50 - the newest skyscraper in Katowice
First skyscraper in Katowice, 1930
Architectural map of Katowice
The finest examples of
Modernism (
International Style and
Bauhaus inspired architecture) could be easily found in the city downtown. Central Katowice also contain a significant number of
Art Nouveau (''Secesja'') buildings along with the Communist Era giants such as Spodek or Superjednostka.
Katowice's ''Rynek'' - is the old centre and marketplace of the city. Unfortunately many old buildings were demolished in the
1950s to make place for monumental communist modern buildings.
Several streets around the Rynek and the Rynek itself are now closed to traffic and have been made into a shopping
promenades.
Regeneration of the Rynek area should start at 2007-2008 and there was an international architectural competition in 2006 to find the best design.
Best buildings and places to see in Katowice:
★ Cathedral in Katowice
★
Drapacz Chmur, one of the first skyscrapers in Europe
★
St. Stephen's Church
★
Katowice Rondo - is the large
square/
roundabout, currently being reconstructed.
★
Silesian Insurgents Monument (Polish: ''Pomnik Powstańców Śląskich''), situated next to Rondo, is a large monument dedicated to the memory of the
Silesian Uprisings of early
1920s
★ The
Spodek is a large
sports centre/
concert hall, whose name translates as the 'saucer', from its distinctive shape resembling a
UFO flying saucer.
★
Dworzec Główny Katowice - the main Katowice
train station is a large, distinctive concrete building from Seventies near the Rynek. There are plans to raze and rebuild it after the reconstruction of the Rondo and Rynek.
★ The
Pałac Goldsteinów, Goldstein Palace
Education
#
University of Silesia
#
University of Economics in Katowice
#
University of Music in Katowice
#
University of Sports in Katowice
#
University of Arts in Katowice
# University of Arts in Cracow (Akademia Sztuk Pięknych w Krakowie)
#
Medical University of Silesia
#
Silesian University of Technology - Faculty of Materials Science and Metallurgy and Faculty of Transport
#
Polish Academy of Sciences
# Śląska Wyższa Szkoła Informatyki w Katowicach
# Śląska Wyższa Szkoła Zarządzania w Katowicach
# Górnośląska Wyższa Szkoła Handlowa w Katowicach
# Międzynarodowa Szkoła Bankowości i Finansów
# Wyższa Szkoła Bankowości i Finansów w Katowicach
# Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczna w Katowicach
# Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczno-Ekonomiczna w Łodzi - wydział
# Wyższa Szkoła Pedagogiczna TWP w Warszawie, Instytut Pedagogiki
# Wyższa Szkoła Techniczna w Katowicach
# Wyższa Szkoła Technologii Informatycznych w Katowicach
# Wyższa Szkoła Umiejętności Społecznych w Poznaniu - wydział
# Wyższa Szkoła Zarządzania Marketingowego i Języków Obcych w Katowicach
# Wyższa Szkoła Zarządzania Ochroną Pracy w Katowicach
# Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne Braci Mniejszych w Katowicach
# Wyższe Śląskie Seminarium Duchowne w Katowicach
# Prywatne Nauczycielskie Kolegium Języków Obcych w Bielsku-Białej - wydział
# Prywatne Nauczycielskie Kolegium Języków Obcych w Katowicach
There are also:
★ around 80
high schools
★ around 35
gimnasia
★ around 55
primary schools
★ around 50
libraries, including the
Silesian Library
Popular School:
★
Śląskie Techniczne Zakłady Naukowe
Transport
Public Transport
The public transportation system of the Katowice and
Upper Silesian Industry Area consists of four branches --
buses,
streetcars,
trolleybuses and the
regional rail united in the
KZK GOP. Additional services are operated by private companies and the state-owned railways.
;Trams
Silesian Interurbans - one of the largest
streetcar systems in the World, in existence since
1894. The system spreads for more than 50 kilometres (east-west) and covers fourteen districts of the
Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union.
Roads
★
Motorway A1 (Poland) (
Czech - Katowice -
Tricity /
Baltic Sea)
★
Motorway A4 (Poland) (
Germany - Katowice -
Ukraine)
★ DK1 National Road
★ DK44 National Road
★ DK78 National Road
★ DK79 National Road
★ DK81 National Road
★ DK86 National Road
★ DK88 National Road
★ DK94 National Road
★
European route E40 (
France -
Belgium -
Germany - Katowice -
Ukraine -
Russia -
Uzbekistan -
Kazakhstan)
★
European route E75 (
Norway -
Finland - Katowice -
Slovakia -
Hungary -
Serbia -
Macedonia -
Croatia -
Crete)
★
European route E462 (
Czech Republic - Katowice)
Airports
A4 motorway Katowice
The city and the area is served by the
Katowice International Airport, located some 30
km from the center of
Katowice. With over 20 international and domestic flights daily, it is by far the biggest airport in Silesia (1.4 milion passengers served in 2006; a new passenger terminal is currently being constructed).
Because of the long commute to the airport, there is a proposal to convert the much nearer sport aviation-serving
Katowice-Muchowiec Airport into a so-called city airport, a second international airport for smaller, business-oriented traffic.
Railway
A4 motorway Katowice
;Standard gauge railway
The first railroad reached this area in
1846 (the Upper Silesia Railway, in
Polish: ''Kolej Górnośląska''; in
German: ''Oberschlesische Eisenbahn''). Nowadays Katowice is one of the main railway nodes and exchange points in Silesia and in Poland. Cheap and fairly efficient, the
Polskie Koleje Państwowe (Polish State-Owned Railways) in the area of the proposed union constitute one of the main transport hubs in Poland (the most important one being
Warsaw).
The main railroad station is
Katowice Central station. Both the domestic and the international connections run from there to almost every major city in Poland and Europe.
;Broad gauge railway
Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa (known by its acronym ''LHS'',
English: ''Broad gauge metallurgy line'') is the longest
broad gauge railway line in
Poland. Except for this one line, and a few very short stretches near border crossings, Poland uses the
standard gauge for its railways, unlike
Russia and the other former countries of the
Soviet Union. The line runs on a single track for almost 400 km from the Polish-
Ukrainian border, crossing it just east of
Hrubieszów, to
Sławków (one of the suburbs of the proposed union). It is used only for freight transport, mainly iron ore and coal. It is the westernmost broad gauge railway line in Europe that is connected to the broad gauge rail system of the countries which before
1991 constituted the Soviet Union. The line is managed by
PKP Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa Spólka z o.o. company. Previous name of this line was ''Linia Hutniczo Siarkowa'' (
English: ''Metallurgy - Sulfur Line''), but after sulfur ceased to be transported on the line its name was changed.
Water Transport
Katowice also has several canals, including the
Gliwice Canal (pl:Kanal Gliwicki) which links
Gliwice Harbour to the Oder River and thus to the waterway network across much of Germany and to the Baltic Sea.
Klodnica Canal (pl: Kanal Klodnicki) is no longer used to transport goods, but it is popular with leisure cruisers.
Sports
.jpg)
Katowice at night
★
GKS Katowice - men's
football, (
Polish Cup winner:
1986,
1991,
1993;
Polish SuperCup winner:
1991,
1995; 1st league in 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 seasons).
ice hockey team Champion :
1958,
1960,
1962 Gòrnik Katowice / GKS
1965,
1968,
1970.
★
AZS AWF Katowice - women's
handball team playing in
Polish Ekstraklasa Women's Handball League: 11th place in 2003/2004 season; will play in the 1st league in 2004/2005 season.
★ KS Rozwój Katowice - football club
★ MK Katowice - football club
★ Kolejarz Katowice - football club
★ Podlesianka Katowice - football club
★ AZS US Katowice - various sports
★ Naprzód Janów Katowice - hockey club
★ HKS Szopienice - various sports
★ Hetman Katowice - football club
★ Hetman Szopienice - chess club
★ MAKS Murcki Katowice - ice hockey & netball club
★ Sparta Katowice - various sports
★ HC GKS Katowice - hockey club
★ AWF Mickiewicz Katowice - basketball club
★ Silesia Miners - American football club
Discontinued sports clubs:
★
FC Katowice - football club
★ Diana Katowice - football club
★ Germania Katowice - football club
★ EKS Katowice - watersports club
★ Dąb Katowice - various sports
★ Gwardia Katowice - various sports
★ Pogoń Katowice - various sports
★ KS Baildon Katowice - various sports
★ Centrum Body Club Katowice - bodybuilding club
Notable residents
Katowice
★
Hans Sachs (1877-1945), serologist
★
Kurt Goldstein (1878-1965), neurologist
★
Franz Leopold Neumann (1900-1954), politician
★
Hans Bellmer (1902-1975), surrealist photographer
★
Maria Goeppert-Mayer (1906-1972), physicist
★
Kazimierz Kutz (born 1929), film director and politician
★
Wojciech Kilar (born 1932), classical and film music composer
★
Henryk Górecki (born 1933), classical composer
★
Henryk Broder (born 1946), journalist
★
Jerzy Kukuczka (1948-1989), alpine and high altitude climber
Twinned towns
Katowice is
twinned with:
★
Cologne (
Germany)
★
Groningen (
Netherlands)
★
Miskolc (
Hungary)
★
Mobile (
USA)
★
Odense (
Denmark)
★
Ostrava (
Czech Republic)
★
Saint-Etienne (
France)
See also
★
Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union
★
Upper Silesian Industry Area
★
Tall buildings in Katowice
★
Wujek Coal Mine
★
List of mayors of Katowice
External links
★
The Municipal Council of Katowice
★
Silesia Community
★
The Commercial Website of Katowice
★
Katowice, Silesia
★
Architectural map of Katowice/Kattowitz
★
A webcam view of Katowice
★
Trams in Katowice
★
"My City" association
.jpg)
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