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When You hear Katowice, You think about…? Mines, “Spodek”, Silesia, GKS? These associations are definitely accurate, but today I will show you a place that is unique, precisely thought-out and functionally planned creation. Meet Nikiszowiec – an estate built for miners.
Allocate about 2 hours for visiting Nikiszowiec (including the exhibition at the Katowice History Museum on Rymarska Street). We didn’t manage to visit the museum, but listening to friends’ opinions and looking at photos from their visits, we know that it can complete the picture of Nikiszowiec.
Localisation
Nikiszowiec is a former miners estate in Katowice. It is located in the eastern part of the city, 7 kilometers away from the most iconic building in the city, which is “Spodek:. There aren’t many parking spaces available on site, but finding a free spot should not be a problem. We parked near the ice rink, from where Nikiszowiec was within easy reach.
History of Nikiszowiec
Nikiszowiec is a workers’ estate built for the miners of the “Giesche” mine. It was constructed between 1908-1918, so it recently celebrated its centenary. The estate was designed by Emil and Georg Zillmann from Charlottenburg, who were also responsible for the design of the nearby Giszowiec – another district of this type. Nikiszowiec was established when there was no longer enough space in the already mentioned Giszowiec. The first block of flats was handed over for use in 1911. It owes its name to the mine shaft “Nickischschacht”, which is now called “Poniatowski”.
In addition to residential blocks, Nikiszowiec also contained everything that was necessary for life at that time – a school, a church, shops, or a laundry.
Since 1960, Nikiszowiec has been within the borders of Katowice, and since 1978, it has been registered as a “monument”.
Architecture
The Nikiszowiec estate comprises 9 residential blocks and accompanying buildings. These are three-story structures, with brick as their primary building material. The blocks have internal courtyards where residents had at their disposal cellars, pigsties, and ovens for baking bread.
A typical apartment in Nikiszowiec consisted of a kitchen, a hall, and two rooms, covering an area of 63 square meters. On the ground floor, smaller, one-room apartments could often be found as well. I did not mention the toilet in the composition. It was shared by two apartments and located on the mezzanines.
Entering one of the courtyards (which doesn’t require any special cunning, as there are no locked gates) changes the world. From the street side, there are no trees, but the courtyards are quite green. They are large and feel very spacious.
The downside during a visit to Nikiszowiec and an element that spoils its appearance is the cars parked everywhere, but on the other hand, it is an estate where people live their normal lives, so they have to leave their cars somewhere.
Nikiszowiec – interesting objects
As you stroll through Nikiszowiec, you will certainly notice several buildings that stand out from the rest. One of them will undoubtedly be the old post office with beautiful flowers on its front wall. Another interesting place is the arcades, which we can walk through. On Rymarska Street, there was also a laundry (now a museum) where women brought dirty clothes to wash, and then use the drying room or mangle.
An object that is hard to miss is the Church of St. Anna. It is located in the center of the estate (Plac Wyzwolenia). Its architecture fits in with the rest of the settlement. It is a parish church belonging to the Archdiocese of Katowice. It was established in 1912 by Cardinal Georg Kopp and consecrated in 1927. Before the church was completed, local residents used a temple in a converted boiler house building. The present church is built on a cross plan and has three aisles, all maintained in the Neo-Baroque style. It is worth paying attention to the 56 stained glass windows made in the Schneider workshop in Regensburg.
Worth to visit?
Nikiszowiec is a unique place. It’s not a showy development where you’ll find only lofts and expensive restaurants. This is a mining estate that is slowly beginning to live its second life. On one hand, you will meet tourists who want to discover this place, but on the other – residents who live out their lives there.
When in Katowice or just passing through, take a moment to visit Nikiszowiec and get to know this place. Walk the streets among the white windows with red recesses and learn more about why this place was created and how it was and is organized.
