1. GRAND SYNAGOGUE
Adama Mickiewicza 10/38, 40-092 Katowice The village that makes reference to the name of Katowice (German: Kattowitz), which has a dynamic city structure today, is first mentioned in the sources in 1468. It is seen in the sources that the first settlement was mentioned in 1598, and the first Jewish settlement was mentioned in 1825. (Jews were noted in the region as far back as 1733) The city, which lead to|pioneer coal mining in the Silesia Region with its geographical location, had a multinational structure in terms of population. The 19th century population (including Germans, Moravians and Jews), enabled the construction of the first synagogue in 1862, as Jewish culture came to the fore. Jews migrating from Galicia and Russia towards the 1880s continued to increase the Jewish population in the city, and by the 1880s the need for a larger Synagogue arose. Architect Max Grunfeld (son of Ignatz Grünfeld who designed the old synagogue) had started the construction work in 1896 and had finished it in 1900. The synagogue was set on fire by Nazis in 1939 and unfortunately, after the World War II, survivors of the Holocaust were unable to raise money for the reconstruction of the synagogue. Today in Synagogue Square, there is a stone monument placed in memory of those who suffered in the war
2. MUNICIPAL CITY BATH
Adama Mickiewicza 3, 40-092 Katowice The municipal bath, located closest to the market square, was built in an eclectic style between 1894 and 1895. The construction costs of the pool (opened for use in 1895), were covered by Richard Holtze, and he was given an award by the city society on the 25th anniversary of his doctorate. In 1928, an average of 12,000 people could benefit from the bath. The building is currently used by the PZU Życie SA Inspectorate. To the left of the building entrance, there is a memorial plaque in honor of Richard Holtze
3. MARKET SQUARE (RYNEK)
​ The market area of a city has always been important for the its economic growth and a social lifestyle, from past to present. The buildings in the Katowice Market Square, which date back to the 19th century, were demolished during the communist area and replaced with new ones in order to create a more modern city. Anyhow | Even though this area remains bad memories in the minds of Polish society, the buildings are important from an architectural point of view. One of the squares within the market place “ObroÅ„ców Katowic” (the other ones Kwiatowy and Teatralny) includes the Monument of September Scouts. This monument designed by the artist MichaÅ‚ BrachmaÅ„ski in memory of the male and female scouts who defended the city against the Germans for two days
4. SKARBEK COOPERATÄ°VE DEPARTMENT STORE – ADAMA MÄ°CKÄ°EWÄ°CZA 4, 40-092 KATOWÄ°CE
After urbanisation of the city began, Market Square area started to change. It is really interesting that architectural structures from past to present can be oriented to suit their intended use. Skarbek, which was built as a cooperative building, is now home to many clothing stores, second-hand shops, markets and even a nightclub. The cooperative building which had an inn on its site until 1864, was designed by architect Jurand Jareck between 1972 and 1974. Pressed aluminum sheets imported from France for the facade cladding and the it was opened for use in 1975. After 2000s, with the renovation works, two external elevators were added to the exterior part.
5. TENEMENT HOUSE (KAMIENICA POD BUTEM) – 3 Maja 8, 40-096 Katowice
Referred to as the Kochmann House, this commercial tenement house was purchased from a shoe house by Fritz Kochman in 1862. Although it is difficult to observe the ground floor, there is a relief representing the shoe of the armada on the building. The tenement house built in 1907 according to the design of Hugo Grünfeld and completed with Art Nouveau (architectural movement as a reaction against academia between 1890- 1910), its distinctive feature is its oak-like facade decoration. The ground floor has been used for commercial activities from past to present. It was listed as a rental house on the monuments list in 1989 and renovated in 2013-2014
6. STANISLAW WYSPIANSKI SILESIAN THEATRE – Rynek 10, 40-003 Katowice
The first version of building, located in the center of the market square, was built as a German Theater by Architect Carl Moritz between 1905 and 1907. He has been known as the man who built Cologne Opera House in 1902 and various architectural structures. This theatre is known as a symbol of German art till the 1970s and after that, the theater was attributed to Stanisław Wyspiański, who was its patron in 1936, and began to be remembered in with this name. Stanisław Wyspiański Silesian Theatre is the largest drama stage in the region and has a huge cultural importance in Silesian dialect. Śląski Theater has four stages: Big Scene, Chamber, Malarnia and Gallery.
7. SILESIAN INSURGENTS MONUMENTS (POMNIK POWSTAŃCÓW ÅšLÄ„SKICH) – al. Wojciecha Korfantego, 40-959 Katowice
The monument is dedicated to those who participated in the three Silesian Uprisings between 1919- 1921. It can be seen on the roadside in Wojciech Korfanty Avenue before entering the city center, is made of bronze and its height is 10-13.5 meters. Unfortunately walking towards the statue from the surrounding park is quite difficult for a disabled person.
8. ARENA SPODEK – al. Wojciecha Korfantego 35, 40-005 Katowice
Spodek, which has become one of the iconic symbols of Katowice over time, can easily be seen on any souvenir in the Silesian region. The building, which was built approximately 50 years ago, hosts many cultural events. Maciej Gintowt and Maciej Krasiński were among the architect team selected in a competition decided to be held in 1959, and the construction was under the responsibility of Wacław Zalewski. The construction of Spodek, which will be an arena from the very beginning, was supported by the Silesian Voivode of the period, General Jerzy Ziętek, knowing that it would be the symbol of a modern city. Although it was planned to be located in the park around Chorzow according to the first plan, the plan of the avant-garde design was placed in the middle of the city. Construction, which lasted from 1964 to 1971, was expanded to include sports and entertainment events
9. SILESIAN MUSEUM – Tadeusza Dobrowolskiego 1, 40-205 Katowice
One of the most important investment of Katowice as an industrial center and the last stop on our list is the Silesian Museum. The museum complex was added to the grounds of the Katowice Coal Mine and when we approach the site, the first thing that catches our eye is the mine shaft rotation tower (nowadays a watch tower accessible by elevator). It is known that the Coal Mine operated actively for exactly 176 years and last lifted its load in 1999. The main exhibition building, designed to contrast with the 18th century style, is completely covered with white transparent glass. The main entrance of the museum complex, which consists of six buildings (not every building is open to visitors), is from here and hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions. Mine culture, which is important for Silesia Region, stands out in the pictures and anecdotes in the museum. Visitors can visit the museum free of charge on Tuesdays