Katowice

Katowice

PL
Population280,190
Katowice (Polish: [katɔˈvit͡sɛ] , Silesian: Katowice) is the capital city of the Silesian Voivodeship in southern Poland and the central city of the Katowice urban area. As of 2021, Katowice has an official population of 286,960, and a resident population estimate of around 315,000. Katowice is a central part of the Metropolis GZM, with a population of 2.3 million, and a part of a larger Katowice-Ostrava metropolitan area that extends into the Czech Republic and has a population of around 5 million people, making it one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the European Union. Katowice was founded as a village in the 16th century, whereas several modern districts of Katowice were founded as villages in the Middle Ages. Throughout the mid-18th century, Katowice grew following the discovery of rich coal reserves in the area. In the first half of the 19th century, intensive industrialization transformed local mills and farms into industrial steelworks, mines, foundries and artisan workshops. The city has since reshaped its economy from a heavy industry-based one to professional services, education and healthcare. The entire metropolitan area is the 16th most economically powerful city by GDP in the European Union with an output amounting to $114.5 billion. Katowice Special Economic Zone is ranked fourth on the list of the TOP10 Global Free Zones. Katowice has been classified as a Gamma – global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network and is a centre of commerce, business, transportation, and culture in southern Poland, with numerous public companies headquartered in the city or in its suburbs including energy group Tauron and metal industry corporation Fasing, important cultural institutions such as Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, award-winning music festivals such as Off Festival and Tauron New Music, and transportation infrastructure such as Katowice Korfanty Airport. It also hosts the finals of Intel Extreme Masters, an Esports video game tournament. Katowice is also home to several institutions of higher learning, notably the University of Silesia, the Silesian University of Technology and the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music. The city is a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network having been recognized as a City of Music.

Places to Explore

Curated experiences in Katowice

Muzeum w Sosnowcu

Muzeum w Sosnowcu

Lech Coaster

Lech Coaster

Lech Coaster is a steel roller coaster located at Legendia in Chorzów, Poland. It was the first Bermuda Blitz coaster …

Diabelska pętla

Diabelska pętla

Muzeum Historii Komputerów i Informatyki

Muzeum Historii Komputerów i Informatyki

Muzeum Geologiczne

Muzeum Geologiczne

Izba Śląska

Izba Śląska

Muzeum Archidiecezjalne

Muzeum Archidiecezjalne

Pomnik górników KWK Wujek

Pomnik górników KWK Wujek

Śląskie Centrum Wolności i Solidarności

Śląskie Centrum Wolności i Solidarności

Muzeum Historii Katowic Dział Etnologii Miasta

Muzeum Historii Katowic Dział Etnologii Miasta

Wieża spadochronowa

Wieża spadochronowa

Parachute Tower in Katowice (Polish: Wieża spadochronowa w Katowicach) is a 35-metre tall lattice parachute tower built in 1937 for …

Hałda Murcki

Hałda Murcki

Giszowiec

Giszowiec

Giszowiec (German: Gieschewald) is an eastern district of the city of Katowice (Silesian Voivodeship, Poland), created as a coal miners' …

Begin Your Journey

Create a personalized itinerary and unlock the finest experiences Katowice has to offer

Plan Your Trip