Date: 20 May 2025 Author: Jacek Plaza

How Silesian Cities Are Leading the Transformation of Post-Industrial Areas

The collapse of the communist regime in 1989 marked a dramatic shift in Poland’s political and economic landscape. A cornerstone of the Balcerowicz Plan—a series of economic reforms implemented on January 1, 1990—was the restructuring of the mining sector to function within a market economy. This led to the gradual phase-out of hard coal mining and the closure of numerous industrial plants. As a result, the Upper Silesian Industrial District, historically reliant on mining and the metallurgical industry, suffered devastating consequences. With the closure of these facilities, both the plants and the surrounding workers’ settlements—many of which held architectural significance—began to deteriorate.

Photo: The steam engine of the “Carnall” shaft from 1915 in Zabrze (source: author’s private archive)

However, after years of neglect, the region’s post-industrial heritage is now viewed not just as a liability, but as a potential asset capable of drawing tourists from both Poland and abroad. Silesian cities have gained recognition for successfully revitalizing post-industrial landmarks, transforming them into popular tourist attractions that seamlessly blend rich cultural history with outstanding culinary offerings.

One prime example is Zabrze, situated at the heart of the Upper Silesian Industrial District. During the region’s industrial heyday, the city boasted eight coal mines, two coking plants, a smelter, and numerous smaller manufacturing facilities. Today, only part of the former Pstrowski mine remains operational, with large areas and deteriorating buildings left to decay for years. The drive to revitalize these post-industrial sites began in 2005 with the establishment of a plan to preserve and renew the city’s industrial and cultural legacy. The Museum of Coal Mining now oversees some of Zabrze’s most prominent tourist attractions. Among them is the Queen Louise adit, which includes the historic Queen Louisa mine and the Main Key Hereditary Adit. The revitalization project, which began in 2009 with a budget exceeding PLN 182 million, restored over 200 meters of underground mine corridors, now open to the public.

Globally recognized, the Main Key Hereditary Adit stands as a unique monument, celebrated for its historical importance. After being sealed for more than sixty years, the adit was renovated starting in 2012. This involved removing over 19,000 tons of silt and installing safety measures for visitors. The project also introduced an exciting feature—a one-kilometer-long underground boat ride beneath the city center.

The latest addition to the revitalized complex is the Carnall Zone, opened in 2021. This area features the preserved buildings of the former Queen Louise Mine, including a standout attraction: the engine room, home to a fully restored steam engine from 1915. The Zone has become a lively cultural hub, regularly hosting events that resonate with the local community.

On June 27, 2017, Zabrze’s city authorities and the Museum of Coal Mining submitted a joint application to have the Queen Louise and Guido mines officially recognized as historic monuments. On July 23, 2020, the President of Poland granted approval, officially naming the Zabrze mines the sixth historic monument in the Silesia province.

Bytom, a neighboring city once struggling with financial hardships, also embarked on the revitalization of its post-industrial spaces. A notable achievement is the renewal of Kolonia Zgorzelec, a historic estate built between 1897 and 1901 to house workers from the nearby Hubertus iron foundry. After the foundry closed in 2000, the surrounding estate began to deteriorate. Of the 34 buildings in the estate, only 150 residents remained, and 14 buildings were left unoccupied. The transformation of Kolonia Zgorzelec began in 2016, with a PLN 40.5 million project that involved restoring abandoned red brick workers’ tenements (familoki) and modernizing those still inhabited to meet current standards. The surrounding areas were also revitalized. In 2024, the restored Kolonia Zgorzelec was awarded the ‘Best Public Area’ title in the Silesia province.

As part of the broader revitalization efforts, Ruda Śląska has undertaken the renovation of a 60-meter blast furnace at Huta Pokój, an iconic structure from 1968, located on the site of an ironworks established in the early 19th century. The furnace ceased operation in 2005, and the ironworks has remained inactive since. In 2018, Ruda Śląska acquired ownership of the facility, allowing for its renovation. In February, the city’s mayor, Michał Pierończyk, announced the start of an ambitious project to transform the site into the ‘Transformation Center,’ offering visitors an immersive glimpse into the region’s industrial past. Planned upgrades include a new exhibition hall, an open blast furnace with a viewing platform, and an educational trail. This cultural and tourist center aims to boost the city’s appeal while also providing employment opportunities for individuals affected by the region’s economic transition.

The Blast Furnace of Huta Pokój in Ruda Śląska (source: slaskie.eska.pl)

The capital of the Silesia province, Katowice, is home to numerous landmarks that reflect the region’s industrial heritage. One of the most iconic is the Nikiszowiec housing estate, which has gained recognition both in Poland and internationally. Constructed between 1908 and 1918, the estate was designed for workers of the Giesche mine, later renamed the Wieczorek mine. The nine residential buildings, each a self-contained unit, contribute to the estate’s distinctive character. Like many other industrial sites, Nikiszowiec suffered during the 1990s economic shift, when the mine went bankrupt, leading to the closure of its community center and the Górnik Janów sports club. The estate became synonymous with decline, plagued by unemployment and rising crime.

However, in the early 2000s, efforts to revitalize Nikiszowiec began, starting with the restoration of a post-mining building, which was transformed into a branch of the Museum of the History of Katowice. The area’s historical and architectural significance gained wider recognition, and substantial resources were allocated to upgrading infrastructure, including heating and sanitation. The estate also started hosting regular cultural events, such as an annual fair that attracts over 10,000 visitors. This influx of tourism led to the opening of high-quality restaurants and souvenir shops, contributing to the district’s vibrant, evolving identity. Today, Nikiszowiec is no longer seen as a forgotten district but as a hidden gem, attracting both tourists and locals alike. With improved employment opportunities and a decline in crime, it stands as a success story in post-industrial revitalization.

The buildings of the Nikiszowiec estate in Katowice (source: weekendówka.pl)

These projects represent some of the most remarkable successes in the revitalization of Upper Silesia. Once synonymous with poverty and crime, the region’s workers’ settlements and industrial plants are now emerging as catalysts for growth, positioning Silesia as one of Poland’s top tourist destinations. The transformation of its post-industrial sites proves that thoughtful investment and strategic promotion can turn what was once viewed as a liability into a major strength, offering the region the chance to shine not only in Poland but across Europe.

References:

Wzorcowa rewitalizacja w Katowicach, miesięcznik „Wspólnota Mieszkaniowa”, September 30, 2016.
Osiedle Nikiszowiec, https://www.zabytkitechniki.pl/poi/1715/osiedle-nikiszowiec
Bytom: Kolonia Zgorzelec i ul. Dworcowa walczą o prestiżowy tytuł, „Dwa kwadranse”, August 19, 2024 https://dwakwadranse.pl/bytom-kolonia-zgorzelec-i-ul-dworcowa-walcza-o-prestizowy-tytul/
Wójtowicz, Stolica turystyki poprzemysłowej. Tu relikty dawnego przemysłu przyciągają turystów jak magnes, https://natemat.pl/528928,stolica-turystyki-poprzemyslowej-turystyczne-atrakcje-miasta-zabrze
Ruda Śląska: ruszyły zasadnicze prace przy rewitalizacji wielkiego pieca Huty Pokój, „Portal Samorządowy.pl”, February 13, 2025, https://www.portalsamorzadowy.pl/finanse/ruda-slaska-ruszyly-zasadnicze-prace-przy-rewitalizacji-wielkiego-pieca-huty-pokoj,597885.html?mp=promo

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The „Dumni z Polski/Proud of Poland/Stolz auf Polen” project was funded by the National Institute of Freedom – Centre for Civil Society Development as part of the Government’s Youth Fund Programme 2022-2033.

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