Uniwersytet Śląski w Katowicach

We encourage you to explore Katowice and the Silesian region. We prepared the following recommendations, hoping to make your trip more pleasant.

For those seeking to learn about the Silesian region’s rich past and present, the Silesian Museum in Katowice is a must-see. The museum is situated on the premises of a former coal mine and is currently the largest museum institution in the region. The exhibitions inspired by the Silesian region’s cultural and intellectual heritage include Polish art from the 19^th and 20^th centuries and modern artworks, temporary exhibitions, and events. Visitors can also experience a fascinating walk through Upper Silesia’s history at the highly recommended “The light of history. Upper Silesia over the ages.” narrative exhibition.

Dating back to the early 1900s, the historic Nikiszowiec settlement is a unique and highly worth-visiting destination for anyone traveling to Katowice. It was originally built to accommodate coal miners with their families and currently serves as a residential area. A stroll through the narrow streets of Nikiszowiec between its distinctive and well-preserved red-brick buildings offers a captivating glimpse into the Silesian region’s industrial heritage.

For those who wish to experience authentic local cuisine, we recommend visiting the Silesian Prohibition restaurant, which offers traditional Silesian dishes with a modern twist (https://slaskaprohibicja.pl/en/home/).

If you are eager to experience Silesia’s cultural scene, visiting the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) is highly recommended. As one of the most distinguished orchestras in Europe, the NOSPR offers an impressive variety of musical events of different genres. However, it’s not only the music that makes an unforgettable impression on its visitors – the NOSPR’s main building is also considered an architectural gem of the region. The main building draws inspiration from the distinctive Silesian red-brick elevations and pays homage to the region’s mining heritage. Therefore, the visitors can admire the unique acoustic and visual aspects of the NOSPR.

For those looking to experience the mining heritage of the Silesian region firsthand, the Black Trout Adit and the Historic Silver Mine in Tarnowskie Góry are the perfect spots to visit. Located just around 30 kilometers outside of Katowice with direct trains and buses from the city center, those destinations allow visitors to explore the underground labyrinth of the remains of the authentic 19th-century mines. After the descent to the 40-meter depth in a visitors’ lift, one of the highlights during a visit is a boat ride along the trails. Notably, the Historic Silver Mine is one of the Polish UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

If an exciting encounter with the exotic nature of the most distant places worldwide interests you, consider visiting a newly opened Exotarium in Sosnowiec. Exotarium is located just under 10 kilometers outside of Katowice and has easy access by both train and bus. Exotarium’s educational path allows visitors to admire various species of plants and animals, such as anacondas, tarantulas, boas, and many more. The destination also features both permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as an educational cinema.

The Queen Louise Adit and the Guido Coal Mine in Zabrze are fascinating destinations on the route of historical mining treasures of Silesia, under 20 kilometers outside of Katowice, with easy access by bus or train. The Guido Coal Mine provides tours on the astonishing depths of 170 and 320 meters, featuring underground exhibitions that offer a glimpse into the everyday life of the 19th-century miners. A visit to the St. Barbara’s chapel on the 170-meter depth is what makes the experience truly unforgettable. The tour concludes with a stop at the deepest-located European pub, where visitors can taste a locally brewed “Guido” beer. The Queen Louise Adit offers a subsurface boat tour. Visitors can immerse themselves into the reality of Silesian miners and admire rare underground plants and nature during their boat ride.

With over 530 hectares of greenery and more than 3.5 million trees, the Silesian Park is located only 5 kilometers away from the center of Katowice. This popular destination will surely allow you to delve into nature, but it also stands out with its many diverse attractions. There is truly something for everyone there – on the premises of the park, you will find the Silesian Zoological Garden, the Silesian Planetarium, the Silesian Stadium, the Legendia amusement park, the Japanese Garden, and the open-air museum “Upper Silesia Ethnographic Park.”  If you would like to admire the views of the park from above, you might also opt for a relaxing ride on the “Elka” cableway, the longest lowland cableway in Europe.