Katowice, Poland

Katowice, Poland
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Katowice_-_Panorama_z_t%C4%99cz%C4%85.jpg
Author: Lestat
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Katowice (Silesian: Katowicy, German: Kattowitz, Czech: Katovice) is a city in the Silesian Highlands in southern Poland. Katowice covers 164.67 sq km (63.6 sq mi) on the banks of the Kłodnica and Rawa Rivers. It has a population of 309,000 (2011 estimate) within the Katowice urban area that has a population of 2.7 million and the entire Silesian metropolitan area with 4.7 million inhabitants.

Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie Street, Katowice
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Katowice_-_ul._M._Sk%C5%82odowskiej-Curie.JPG
Author: Lestat
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More on Katowice

Katowice is the regional capital of the Silesian Voivodeship since 1999. It is located in the heart of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. The city experiences an oceanic climate. The warmest months here are July and August, when the average temperature regularly reaches 23°C (73°F). January and February are the coldest month, when the average low drops to -4°C (25°F). July is the wettest month with 74 cm (2.9 in) of rainfall.

Human habitation of the Katowice area goes back to the prehistoric age. The city must have been established by the 14th century, when early chronicles mentioned it being ruled by the Silesian Piast Dynasty. In 1335, it came under the Crown of Bohemia until 1525, when it passed to the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy. In the 18th century, it was annexed by Prussia.

The Silesian Theater, Katowice
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Teatr_Slaski_Katowice2.jpg
Author: PetrusSilesius
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After World War I, Katowice became part of the Second Polish Republic, even though the majority of its population voted to remain in Germany. Nonetheless the city was occupied by Germany at the start of World War II. In the post-war era, it was renamed Stalinogród by the Polish communist government, but returned to its former name in 1956.

Heavy industries such as coal mining and steel production caused ecological damage to Katowice and its surrounding region. The pollution and environmental degradation was only in control after the fall of communism, when the new Polish government introduced regulations to reverse the damage. Katowice continues to be a major industrial city in Poland today.

Katowice Gymnasium
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Katowice_-_III_L.O._im._A.Mickiewicza.JPG
Author: Lestat
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Visiting Katowice

The Katowice International Airport receives flights from major cities in Europe. Arrival at the airport, you can take a shuttle bus to the city center. Even cheaper is to take the local bus 85 and 53.

Shopping street in Katowice
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Katowice_-_3-go_maja.jpg
Author: Lestat
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Sights & Attractions in Katowice

Altus Skyscraper
Completed in 2003, this 30-story building is the tallest in Katowice.
Archikatedra Chrystusa Króla w Katowicach
The Cathedral of Christ the King in Katowice is the largest archcathedral in Poland.
Drapacz Chmur
Literally, "skyscraper", this high-rise building completed in 1934 is regarded as the first skyscraper in post-World War I Poland.
Goldstein Palace
Neo-Renaissance building built by two brothers who were sawmill barons.
Kościół Mariacki
The St Mary's Church is one of the old churches in the city.
Kościół św. Michała Archanioł
The Church of St Michael Archangel, originally built in 1510, is one of the oldest churches in Katowice.
Parachute Tower
Built in 1937, this tower was intended for training parachute jumps. It is the only structure of its purpose still existing in Poland.
Nikiszowiec
A district of Katowice with a history of coal mining. It is being considered for possible inscription as a World Heritage Site.
Silesian Insurgents Monument
Memorial to commemorate the three Silesian Uprisings of 1919, 1920 and 1921.
Silesian Museum
Founded in 1929, this is one of the biggest museums in Poland. It houses mainly ethnological and archaeological artifacts.
Silesian Parliament
Completed in 1929, it is for a long time the biggest building in Poland.
Silesian Theatre
Completed in 1907, it is the largest theatre in Silesia.
Spodek
Literally, the "flying saucer", this is a multipurpose arena completed in 1971.

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