When I flew my drone up and started looking at the city, I immediately noticed the large architectural mix. There are buildings in many styles: neo-Gothic, neo-Renaissance, neo-Baroque, Art Nouveau, modernism, postmodernism, brutalism, constructivism and industrialism in Katowice. The oldest buildings in the city are historic tenement houses and churches located in the vicinity of the market and railway station. There are also modern office buildings and skyscrapers in the city center. On the outskirts of the city there are residential areas, parks and forests. In recent years, many new buildings and estates have been built in Katowice, which are usually modernist or postmodernist and, fortunately, slightly modernize the panorama. Looking at the city from above can be overwhelming. The mix of architecture is surprising. However, after a while of watching, I began to perceive it as an advantage and a characteristic feature of this city. I invite you to watch the gallery of Katowice from a bird's-eye view - judge for yourself if you also like it.
Katowice is the largest city in Upper Silesia and the capital of the Silesian Voivodeship. The city is an important economic, cultural, and educational center. The center of Katowice is full of attractions for people of all ages. The city offers a rich cultural life, as well as many opportunities for spending free time.
The Market Square in Katowice is one of the city's most important squares and its largest tourist attraction. It is located in the center of Katowice, at the intersection of the following streets: 3 Maja, Warszawska, Staromiejska, Teatralna, Adama Mickiewicza, św. Jana, Pocztowa, Młyńska, and Wojciech Korfantego Avenue. The Market Square was established in the mid-19th century, and its current appearance is the result of several renovations. During the communist era, some historic tenement houses were demolished, and modern service buildings were erected in their place. Within the square, there are three distinct sections: the Flower Square, the Theater Square, and the Defenders of Katowice Square. The Market Square serves as the venue for numerous cultural and social events, such as the Silesian Beer Festival, Christmas Market, and Easter Market.
Spodek is an indoor arena located in Katowice at 35 Wojciech Korfanty Avenue. It is one of the most famous venues in Poland and one of the city's symbols. Spodek was designed by Maciej Gintowt, Wacław Zalewski, Maciej Krasiński, Andrzej Zorawskieigo, and Jerzy Hryniewicz. It was built in the years 1964-1971. It is one of the first structures in the world with a roof made of tensegrity. Spodek is 32 meters high and 126 meters in diameter. The roof of the arena is made of 120 load-bearing cables that support the roof covering. Spodek is a multi-purpose venue that can accommodate up to 11,500 people. It is used to organize sporting events, concerts, trade fairs, and other events.
The .KTW office complex is a business park in Katowice, Poland, located at 1 W. Roździeńskiego Avenue, in the Koszutka district. The complex is distinguished by its modern architecture, which pays homage to Katowice's industrial history. The buildings are made of concrete and glass, and their facades are decorated with characteristic louvers. The .KTW I building, which is 66 meters tall, was completed in 2018, and the .KTW II building, which is 134 meters tall, was put into use in February 2022. The .KTW office complex is home to numerous companies from Poland, international corporations, public institutions, and startups. The complex is also a popular venue for business and cultural events.
Katowice railway station is one of the most important railway junctions in Poland. It is located in the center of the city, at Wilhelm Szewczyk Square. The station was built in the years 1970-1972. It is a concrete and glass structure. It has a characteristic wave-shaped roof. The station has 5 platforms and 22 tracks. It is one of the largest railway stations in Poland.
The Archcathedral of Christ the King in Katowice is one of the largest churches in Poland. It is located in the center of the city, at 49A Plebiscytowa Street. The cathedral was built in the years 1927-1955 in the classical style. The building has impressive dimensions: 101 meters long, 50 meters wide, and 64 meters high. It is the largest archcathedral in Poland. The cathedral is the seat of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Katowice.
The Archcathedral of Christ the King in Katowice is one of the largest churches in Poland. It was built in the style of modernized classicism, an example of Polish historicism. The walls of the temple were mostly built of reinforced concrete, and the external cladding of the walls was made of dolomite mined and processed in the quarries of Imielin. The cathedral's dome is 64 meters high. It was originally planned to reach over 100 meters, but for political reasons (during the Stalinist period), these plans were not realized. The communists did not like the fact that it would dominate Katowice.
Drone photos allow you to see Katowice from a completely different perspective. Thanks to them, you can admire the beauty of the city from above, see its characteristic buildings and objects, and capture the city's panorama in its full glory. Katowice is not covered by any zone and you can fly there without any problems, of course, following the regulations that regulate flying drones in built-up areas. According to these regulations, a drone can be flown at a height of no more than 120 meters above the ground. It is forbidden to fly a drone near airports, prisons, military airports, and other objects that may pose a security risk.
Aerial view of the Market Square and the City Hall in Katowice.
The International Congress Centre (ICC) in Katowice is the largest congress centre in Poland. The facility was built in 2011-2015 and is located in the city centre, next to the Spodek sports and entertainment arena. MCK consists of four parts with a total area of 12,000 square metres. The largest hall, the Multifunctional Hall, can accommodate up to 10,000 people. In addition to conference rooms, MCK also has a press centre, an exhibition hall, restaurants and bars. MCK is the venue for many international conferences, congresses and cultural events. Among the guests of the facility were, among others, the President of the United States Barack Obama, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron and Pope Francis.
he Silesian Museum is one of the largest and most important museums in Poland. It was founded in 1929 and is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and presenting collections related to the history and culture of Upper Silesia. The museum is currently located on the site of the former Katowice Coal Mine. The main part of the Silesian Museum architectural complex is a seven-story building, with three floors located underground. There are three galleries dedicated to the history and culture of Upper Silesia in the basement of the museum.
National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra
The Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) in Katowice is one of the most important Polish symphony orchestras. Its history dates back to 1935, and since October 1, 2014, the orchestra has been based in a newly built building in Katowice, at 1 Wojciecha Kilara Square. The NOSPR building is a modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing piece of architecture. It houses two concert halls: the Great Concert Hall for 1,800 seats and the Chamber Hall for 300 seats. The concert hall is known for its excellent acoustics, which were designed by Yasuhisa Toyota of Nagata Acoustics. In 2023, pipe organs will be installed in the concert hall, which will be among the largest in European concert halls.
New office buildings in the center
In recent years, many new office buildings have been built in the center of Katowice. The new buildings are modern and functional, and their architecture is often avant-garde. These office buildings attract new businesses and investments to Katowice, which contributes to the city's economic development.
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The architecture of Katowice is diverse, from historic buildings from the 19th century to modern constructions from the 21st century. As you can see in the photo, it is a real mix of styles. Buildings from different eras coexist side by side - from historic churches and tenements to modern skyscrapers and shopping centers. The oldest preserved buildings in Katowice date back to the 19th century. The most famous include the neo-Gothic Mariacki Church, the neo-Romanesque Church of the Resurrection of the Lord, and the Art Nouveau Villa Caro. In the 20th century, during the period of industrial development, Katowice became a modern city, as evidenced by modernist architecture, represented by such objects as Spodek, the International Congress Center, or the Silesian Museum. In recent years, many new buildings have been built in Katowice, which are a testament to the city's development. The most characteristic include modern skyscrapers, such as Altus or Silesia Business Park, as well as cultural facilities, such as the European Congress Center, .KTW office buildings or the Silesian Philharmonic.
Katowice from the bird's eye view
Katowice from the bird's eye view are incredibly picturesque. In the city center, you can see historic tenements and churches. Next to the older architecture, there are modern office buildings and apartment buildings, and in the distance, you can still see prefabricated concrete apartment blocks that were built in the second half of the 20th century. All of this together creates a unique image that is characteristic of the largest city in Silesia.
Katowice is the capital of the Silesian Voivodeship and the largest city in the Upper Silesian conurbation. The city has a rich history and culture, and its center is full of historical monuments and tourist attractions. The city center is also a cultural center. Katowice is home to numerous theaters, art galleries, museums, and cultural centers that organize a variety of events and festivals. The Spodek multi-purpose arena, one of the city's symbols, often hosts world-class music and sports events.
If you want to see more photos from Katowice and the surrounding area, please visit the gallery: Trip to Katowice, Guido Mine, Zabrze Poland.
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