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Nikiszowiec - what to see? 10 attractions you should not miss

Table of Contents

Nikiszowiec – a Silesian gem worth seeing at least once
Nikiszowiec - a short history
Nikiszowiec today
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Nikiszowiec – a Silesian gem worth seeing at least once

Red brick buildings, quiet courtyards, and windows with red frames - close to the center of Katowice, there is a place that looks like a film set. But Nikiszowiec is not a museum only. People still live here. It feels as if time has stopped.

Nikiszowiec is one of the most unusual places in Poland. This historic workers' district in Katowice has a strong industrial atmosphere and a special history connected with coal mining. It is one of the top attractions in Upper Silesia.

If you are wondering what to see in Nikiszowiec, here are 10 places and attractions you should not miss:

1. Nikiszowiec Market Square, or Plac Wyzwolenia

For over 100 years, this square has been the heart of local life. It is the best place to feel the atmosphere of an old mining district, planned as a small self-sufficient town. Around the square you can see typical arcades under the buildings. In the past, they protected people from rain when they went shopping. Today, they hide cozy cafes where you can try traditional Silesian cake called kołocz. During the Christmas season, one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Poland takes place here.

Nikiszowiec Market Square, also known as Plac Wyzwolenia

Typical arcades by the buildings on Plac Wyzwolenia in Nikiszowiec

2. The post office building

The post office is located on Plac Wyzwolenia and is one of the most beautiful buildings in the district. Its facade is decorated with a mosaic of red roses. The roses refer to the ribbons that Silesian girls used to decorate their wreaths.

3. St. Anne's Church

Near Plac Wyzwolenia you will also find St. Anne's Church. Its large shape rises above the low buildings of the district, and the sound of its bells is still part of Sunday life for local residents. Inside the church there is a historic organ with as many as 5,350 pipes.

The tower of St. Anne's Church rising above the buildings in Nikiszowiec

4. Museum of the History of Katowice – City Ethnology Department

If you want to understand the history of Nikiszowiec, visit the local museum. It is located in the building of the former laundry and mangle room. Inside, you can see a recreated apartment of a family from Nikiszowiec. You can also see works by the famous Janowska Group, a group of self-taught painters. Many of them were miners who, after hard work underground, changed their pickaxe for a paintbrush and painted everyday life in Silesia.

Museum in Nikiszowiec - what old life was like in Nikisz

Located in the heart of historic Nikiszowiec, on Rymarska Street, close to the main Wyzwolenia Square, the museum shows the everyday life of old Silesian families, the history of this mining workers' district, and the culture of the region. ...

Museum of the History of Katowice in Nikiszowiec - City Ethnology Department

5. The courtyards of Nikiszowiec

One of the most charming parts of the district is its closed courtyards. Each of the nine large housing blocks formed a closed square with an inner courtyard. In the past, these courtyards had coal storage rooms, bread ovens, and small sheds where people kept animals such as chickens, ducks, and sometimes pigs.

In the past, local life often took place in these courtyards. Neighbors met there after work, and children played outside. Today, the courtyards are a great place for atmospheric photos.

6. The famous red windows

Nikiszowiec is famous for its red window frames. Thanks to them, photos from this district are very easy to recognize.

Where did the tradition of painting window frames red come from?

Older Silesian residents say that, in the past, mines had a lot of red paint used for marking tunnels. Miners could get it from work at a low price. They used it not only for window frames, but also for doors and staircases. It is said that in the past, the color of windows could show who lived in the area: miners had red windows, while steelworkers had green ones.

7. The former Wieczorek Coal Mine

Right next to Nikiszowiec there is a historic coal mine. For many years, it gave work to the people who lived in the district.

Some parts of the mine are not open to visitors, but the industrial architecture is still interesting to see from the outside.

8. Beboki

Beboki are mysterious creatures from Silesian legends. In the past, adults used stories about them to scare children so they would not go near cellars or rooms full of dangerous tools. Nobody knew exactly what a Bebok looked like, and that made the stories even more frightening. Today, the Beboki you can find in Nikiszowiec and on the streets of Katowice are very different. They are friendly, funny, and charming.

9. Schlafhaus - the former miners' hostel

One of the less known but very interesting buildings in Nikiszowiec is the Schlafhaus on Szopienicka Street. It was a former hostel for single miners. The building offered simple rooms and basic facilities for workers who did not yet have their own apartments or who came to Silesia to find work. The Schlafhaus was an important part of the district, together with the bathhouse, laundry, school, and shops. It shows how carefully everyday life in Nikiszowiec was planned.

10. Cafes and Silesian restaurants

A walk around Nikiszowiec is best finished with a visit to one of the local restaurants.

Here you can try:

Silesian beef roulade, a traditional rolled meat dish,
red cabbage,
Silesian dumplings,
żur, a sour rye soup,
Silesian kołocz, a traditional cake.

Cozy cafes also serve good coffee and homemade cakes.

Nikiszowiec - a short history

Nikiszowiec was built at the beginning of the 20th century as a modern workers' district for employees of the Giesche coal mine. Construction began in 1908, and the project was designed by architects Georg and Emil Zillmann.

At that time, many workers lived in very difficult conditions, so Nikiszowiec was a big change. The apartments had sewage systems, and nearby there were a school, laundry, bakery, shops, and a church. The district was planned to work like a small, self-sufficient town. The day started very early here. Miners often left for work before sunrise. The whole district woke up to the sound of the mine siren.

Nikiszowiec today

Today, Nikiszowiec is full of life again. New cozy cafes, art galleries, and restaurants are opening here. Tourists from many countries visit the district to enjoy its unique atmosphere.