Pre-planned Plebeian Paradise
picture: Courtesy of Katowice City CouncilProspective foreign travellers putting together their Polish tourist itineraries have a tendency to regard Katowice as an acne-scarred unwanted stepchild, and justifiably so. As another IYP editor once famously said of the city, “architecturally, much of Katowice looks like the contents of your dustbin, overturned.” Do some rummaging through that rubbish, however, and we think you’ll agree, there are a few rewards to be found. With that in mind we direct the determined tourist on a dumpster-diving diversion southeast of the city centre to the workers’ districts of
Nikiszowiec and
Giszowiec. Home to some highly unique early 20th century architecture, an excellent
modern art gallery, magnificent
church and a few additional offbeat attractions, these two forgotten attempts at plebeian paradise are earmarked on Silesia’s ‘Industrial Monuments Route’ (available at all Silesian tourist information offices) and offer intrepid visitors a confounding, yet fascinating glimpse at a foregone age. Pack yourself a lunch, your camera, and off you go.
