This was the point at which Katowice joined the world leaders of the most rapidly developing industrial centres. The city’s industrialisation was enhanced by the expansion of transport routes, dynamic urbanisation and an influx of people. During that period a number of sacral buildings were erected; such as the Evangelical Church on Warszawska Street, the neo-Gothic Our Lady’s Church on Mariacka Street, the Brothers of the Order of St. John of God’s monastery and hospital, the convent and orphanage conducted by the Nuns of the Order of St. Hedwig as well as St. Stephen’s Church in Bogucice. In 1889 “Kattowizer Aktien-Gesselschaft” group set up its head office in Katowice along with a number of well-known banks, and so began the city’s transformation into a significant financial centre. At the same time, several other institutions were established in order to foster the development of the city’s economy, such as the Upper Silesian Coal Convention, the Association of Coal and Iron Industrialists, miners’ guilds, the State Post Directorate, the District Court and the Directorate of Royal Prussian State Railways.

 

At the beginning of the 20th century the construction of the Municipal Theatre on the Market Square as per a design by Karl Moritz, an architect from Cologne, strengthened the city’s role as the main commercial and cultural centre of Upper Silesia. It is important to point out that Upper Silesia, Manchester and the Ruhr were the driving force of the Industrial Revolution of that time – it was in these regions that industry and technology developed at a pace unlike anywhere else in Europe at that time. Katowice captured the imagination of people from Franz von Winckler’s social circle, and their shared vision played a meaningful role in this process. It was a time when the unique workers’ housing districts were constructed: the picturesque and green Giszowiec district and the Nikiszowiec district, with distinctive brick-built homes - both of which are on the Industrial Monuments Route of Silesia. The heavy industry influenced not only Katowice itself, but also the residents’ mentality nowadays commonly referred to as the “Silesian work ethic”. The first half of the 20th century brought a lot of challenges for the residents of Upper Silesian, especially for those fighting for freedom during the Silesian Uprisings and the war years. An outstanding Silesian activist Henryk Sławik, who took part in the Silesian Uprisings and the Plebiscite, is mostly recognised for his heroic support of the Jewish nation. He would have risked his life to protect the Jewish children. After being arrested for his pro-Jewish activity he was sent to a Nazi concentration camp, where he was murdered. He was awarded posthumously the title “Righteous among the Nations” (Chasid Umot ha-Olam in Hebrew). 

 

Self –Government

 

Since 1990 Katowice has been changing its traditional, industrial image. At that time, political and economic transformations enabled the residents of Katowice, after five decades, to take the matters into their own hands. However, this legacy was rather a painful burden than a promising starting capital. The city needed a strong impulse. It was prompted by the self–government of Katowice, which vigorously started to implement its own scenario, defining a clear vision as well as the stages and directions of the city development. The rest was a matter of a coherent and efficient budgetary policy, which emerged from a stable political system in the local city hall. Those elements created a favourable environment for the development of the local market – a driven economy and a platform for the international cooperation within the European Community. It was clear that Katowice still possessed its strong points, such as a perfect location, friendly atmosphere and with sixteen neighbouring towns and cities, it formed a tightly-knit agglomeration with over two million people. This made it much easier to attract major investors and to strive for EU funding.

 

Katowice became a strong leader in the field of Polish investment policy. Today, the Upper Silesian capital has the best transport infrastructure in Poland. Within a few years, the modern local roads system, together with the Trans–Regional Fast Road (known in Poland as the DTŚ) have been developed. At the same time, an efficient public transport system has been put in place. The fact that all the significant traffic routes in the country e.g. the A4 and A1 motorways, the international E30 and E65 and railroads run through this area seems to be of great importance. Katowice has also the most dynamically developing airport in Europe, situated in nearby Pyrzowice.

 

Among a number of projects currently in the pipeline, the most significant is the International Congress Centre, the largest facility of its type in Poland. However, even larger projects, such as the transformation of the city centre and the new railway and bus stations will start soon. Simultaneously, environmentally–friendly investments included in the regeneration programme for the post–industrial areas are being carried out. Thereby the “coal & steel” city image becomes outmoded, though heavy- industry will always be an important element of the local economy. Nevertheless, many of the mammoth plants, mineshafts and slag heaps have been replaced by multi-functional complexes like “Silesia City Center”, a large retail and entertainment complex. These recent changes give the city’s inhabitants everything that they could possibly need at their disposal – including banking, commercial, educational, sporting and cultural facilities and resources. The capital of Upper Silesia is rapidly becoming a thriving cultural and recreational centre, taking advantage of its “forgotten” attractiveness.

 

Modern European Metropolis 

 

In 2008 Katowice City was unanimously honoured with the Europe Prize, awarded by the Committee on the Environment, Agriculture and Local and Regional Affairs of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly as a sound example of integration. This distinction reflects the city's present ambitions of being visible on the self-government map of the Old Continent. Nevertheless, a brand new impetus was necessary to realise these ambitions and additionally to increase Katowice's attractiveness to investors. Such an impetus was provided by a joint project of 13 neighbouring towns and cities aimed at creation a compact municipal organism with over two million inhabitants. In September 2007, there came a breakthrough in two-year negotiations that resulted in the establishment of the Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia. From this point onwards, the Metropolis of Katowice has been existing as a powerful body facilitating rapid growth and ensuring that the region makes the most of its investment potential. It would be difficult to find stronger argument both for attracting investors and raising EU funds. That is why the most recent projects to have been implemented by the self-government of Katowice have generated a lot of interest indeed. Many of these projects concentrate on the modernisation of the city centre, with the most ambitious covering an area of 100 hectares, making it the largest project of its kind in Central Europe. Concurrently, a regeneration project of the nearby district of Pawła-Wodna-Górnicza Streets is already taking place. Furthermore the refurbishment of the iconic “Spodek” sport and entertainment arena and the construction of a large convention centre within its vicinity have already started.

 

The fact that so many ambitious projects have been set in motion is enough to suggest that the development of Katowice is unlikely to slow down for the foreseeable future – quite the opposite in fact. Over two million people inhabit the city and its surrounding region, which includes the 14 member towns and cities of the Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia. As well as the 100 year old work ethic and high levels of education among the city’s inhabitants, Katowice provides the perfect location for commercial and technological investments. “Economy Above All” has been the slogan for Katowice ever since the city came into existence, and this slogan still rings very true today – and will continue to be valid into the future.

 

Katowice: Essential Facts

 

Population: 309, 621

Total Area of the City: 165km²,   including 40% Greenfield sites

Key Industries: technology, manufacturing,

Major Companies: Grupa Tauron, ING Bank Śląski, Kompania Węglowa S.A, Kopex S.A, Mittal Steel Poland S.A, Południowy Koncern Energetyczny S. A.

Unemployment rate: 5.4%

Higher education: the University of Silesia, the Silesian University of Technology, the University of Economics, the Academy of Music, the Academy of Fine Arts, the Academy of Physical Education

Average Temperature: +8.0 ºC

Average Annual Rainfall: 750 mm 

 

How to Get There:

 

By Air:

There are direct flights to Katowice from the following airports in the United Kingdom and Ireland: Birmingham, Cork, Doncaster-Sheffield, Dublin, Liverpool, Luton and Stansted. Katowice Airport is located in Pyrzowice, 35 km to the north of the city, and the journey into the city centre takes approximately 40 minutes, and costs in the region of PLN 80 (approx. GB£ 16). Alternatively, there are numerous shuttle bus services into Katowice – further information can be found at the airport terminal.

 

By Train:

Katowice is one of the largest and most significant railway junctions in Poland in terms of passenger and freight transport. There are a number of railway connections to major cities throughout Poland as well as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany and Austria. The Central Railway Station in Katowice is situated in the heart of the city, a short walk from the attractions such as cinemas, theatres, shopping centres and also bars and restaurants. For train timetables, visit www.pkp.pl

 

By Bus:

The main bus station for Katowice is also located in the city centre. The bus provides an alternative means of transport to many towns and cities across Poland. For bus timetables, visit www.katowice.pks.pl

 

Tourist Information:

 

City Information Centre

ul. Rynek 13

Katowice

Poland

 

Tel: +48 32 2593 808;
Fax: +48 32 2593 369
e-mail: it@um.katowice.pl

 Katowice

 

Medical Tourism in Katowice

 

Katowice is an attractive destination for patients from Western Europe who are seeking a high standard of dental treatment at a significantly lower price than in countries such as Germany, Ireland and Scandinavia. Alex Dent offers a comprehensive range of dental procedures, with high standards at affordable prices. For further information, visit www.alexdent.eu

 

Alternatively, Dr Roman Borczyk’s team of highly qualified dental surgeons operate from a modern clinic in Katowice that is equipped with the latest technologies. A wide range of dental procedures is on offer, including dental implants and aesthetic dentistry. For further information, visit www.borczyk.pl