Katowice tourist information

The area around Katowice, Upper Silesia, was inhabited by ethnic Silesians since the early centuries. It was first ruled by the Polish Silesian Piasts dynasty until its extinction, later falling into the Habsburg domains. The city itself was founded in the 19th century, a period while the area was under Prussian rule, and Katowice gained city status in 1865. Inhabited mainly by Germans, Silesians, Jews and Poles, Katowice became part of the Second Polish Republic following the Silesian Uprisings throughout the Silesian region between 1918 and 1921. The land was subsequently divided by an allied commission, leaving Kattowitz on the Polish side and with significant autonomy.

The city flourished due to large mineral (especially coal) deposits in the nearby mountains. Extensive city growth and prosperity depended on coal mining and steel industries, which took off during the Industrial Revolution. But recently, due to economic reforms there is a shift away from heavy industry, and towards small businesses.

Between 1953-1956 it was renamed Stalinogród - "Stalin City" by Polish communists.

Severe ecological damage to the natural environment occurred during the post-Second World War time of communist governance in the People's Republic of Poland, but recent changes in regulations, procedures and policies of post-communist Polish government have reversed much of the harm that was done.