Katowice Photo Blog

Protestant Church by night

2009-03-17T02:52:00.005+01:00

Hi all
Though I'm currently not in Katowice, an occasional update may happen in this blog, thanks to a good soul PAK who kindly gave mi permission to post some of his photos here :) Thanx PAK!

The protestant church in Katowice is the oldest church in Katowice an was built from 1856 to 1858 by the architect Richard Lucae. Since then there have been two rebuildings (1887-1889 and 1899-1902). (info source: wiki)

Oak Terraces

2009-01-15T23:49:00.002+01:00

Sorry for neglecting the blog for so long... It was not without a reason: I relocated last year and cannot take photos of Katowice on daily basis any more. Leaving the place where I lived all my life was not easy, and saying good bye in my blog whould have only added to my already emotional mood then. But now when I came to accept the situation, I return here for memories :) So, the blog is suspended. Temporarily - as I am sure to return, either to visit, or for good, who knows...
I visited for Christmas and took this photo of Oak Terraces and a fragment of the car park at Silesia City Centre, packed with cars. Normally it's not that crowded, but it was Christmas shopping time.
Until next time then - Kjola

:-)

2008-07-28T19:10:00.001+02:00

Tadaam!

2008-07-27T08:42:00.003+02:00

The Student in all his glory. The body is quite "contemporary", while the head in the graduation cap is the one of a kuros, a Greek representation of male youth.

The Student Statue

2008-07-26T01:31:00.003+02:00

The Student Statue is a new news in Katowice... It is located it in front of the Rector's Office of the Silesian University. The statue had evoked some excitement before it was put on display, as there had been rumours about a scantily clad, well built young man with a graduation cap on...

Come back tomorrow. I'll post the photo of the WHOLE statue ;)

Silesian Scouts Monument

2008-07-25T12:28:00.002+02:00

This bronze monument of the Silesian Scouts is in front of the "Silesia" hotel. It is a tribute to all the scouts who fought and died during World War II in defence of Katowice.

Roadworks

2008-07-17T15:42:00.003+02:00

One of the Katowice roads being prepared for the new surface - presented with an artistic touch. Photo by my friend Keczer.

Tiger, tiger burning bright...

2008-07-15T12:30:00.001+02:00

continuation of the circus thread...

And one more...

2008-07-11T18:46:00.002+02:00

...but this is the last one, I promise. I'll find other objects to picture. The caption says: "The consumer's life ain't easy!" (The mouse is next to the biggest shopping centre in Katowice)

Found the mouse!

2008-07-11T09:09:00.002+02:00

Staromiejska Street

2008-07-10T10:15:00.000+02:00

on a sunny day

The MC (and Director, I suppose...)

2008-07-09T19:04:00.002+02:00

The circus was here last month only for two or three days, but there are photos...

Flabbergasted...

2008-07-08T11:54:00.003+02:00

I saw this funny mural in Debowa Street. He looks really dumbstruck :)))

Wojewodzka Street

2008-07-06T17:56:00.002+02:00

one summer evening...

"Pod butem" Town House - detail

2008-07-04T12:20:00.003+02:00

The restored house close to the main square.

Saturn

2008-07-03T19:21:00.001+02:00

...in Silesia City Centre.

Restored house

2008-07-02T16:01:00.002+02:00

In 3-go Maja Street, close to the main square.

in a nutshell...

2008-06-28T21:05:00.005+02:00

Today one more photo by Michael Damm - an American photographer and video artist.
I called the post "in a nutshell", because for me, who has been living here in Katowice all my life, this one photo taken by a foreigner somehow managed to capture my own thoughts about Katowice...
The train station may be concrete and dirty but in it there is also this longing ... to leave this place or maybe keep comming back here.

"Zenit" Triptic

2008-06-21T09:46:00.005+02:00

Today I'm honoured to post three photos by Michael Damm, a video artist from Oakland, CA who visited Katowice recently, and will return in the Fall for an exhibition in Opole. The building "in transformation" is Zenit - an old department store in the very centre of Katowice, on the main square.
Thank you, Michael, for your contribution to my blog! :)

Railways again

2008-06-11T20:59:00.002+02:00

I told you there will be more railways ;)
And soon I will post some very interesting photos contributed by a visitor so stay tuned.

"Europa" Circus in Katowice!!!

2008-06-07T23:28:00.004+02:00

to be continued...

Cannon

2008-06-06T22:19:00.002+02:00

:-)

Railways...

2008-06-03T11:18:00.003+02:00

I don't travel by train too much nowadays, but it seems I have a thing about railways :) There is something romantic (?) in them... There will be more railway photos.

Hotel Silesia

2008-06-01T14:54:00.002+02:00

~ * ~

Urban landscape with a fountain

2008-05-31T11:03:00.003+02:00

Appologies to all those who visit my blog sometimes expecting some new photos... I've had busy time recently and taking photos was the last thing on my mind... But a few days ago I finally went for a nice photo-hunting walk and now have a few pictures to post.
This one is the fountain in the roundabout; the dome of the Cathedral can be seen quite clearly, though it is rather far from the place from which I was shooting.

Ornaments

2008-04-15T15:52:00.006+02:00

Ornamental, mosaic decorations on one of the houses in the very centre, at ul. Miarki - the style quite uncommon for the industrial Katowice. Still, when we look up sometimes we notice such beauties...

The shoes

2008-04-12T22:04:00.004+02:00

The sneakers have been where they are for at least a year... When I first saw this curiosity, there was only one pair, later some joker added another to make a better composition. This is in Sienkiewicza street, in the background you can see Altus.

St Mary's Church revisited

2008-04-11T11:49:00.004+02:00

The church has already been once in this blog... (you cen see it here)
but look how it changed since!

Spring's in the air...

2008-03-15T17:31:00.003+01:00

The trees are still leafless, but spring is in the air...

A rainy day

2008-03-03T00:38:00.002+01:00

Railways

2008-02-19T19:31:00.002+01:00

Frost and snow again :(

2008-02-17T21:55:00.003+01:00

Ech... zima.

2007-12-27T00:55:00.001+01:00

A neighbour told me that when the crows are here, it's a sure sign of heavy snowfalls... we'll wait and see. I liked winter better when I was a child. Now, somehow, I can't apprciate it.

Water Tower in Katowice-Giszowiec

2007-12-07T12:41:00.000+01:00

The water tower is located in Giszowiec, a district of Katowice. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century in the highest point of the area, and is definitely an architectural gem. It fell into disuse many years ago. In the 90s, a telecommunication company placed an antenna at the top of it, and restored its beauty. (based on wikipedia.pl entry)

Winter morning

2007-12-01T11:17:00.001+01:00

Silesian Insurgents Monument...

2007-11-20T11:40:00.001+01:00

... covered with snow. On a grey morning a few day ago.
Those who would like to know more about this monument can read here and here in wikipedia.

The Roundabout..

2007-11-14T15:57:00.000+01:00

... and "The Medusa" covered by the first snow this year.

Independence Day

2007-11-11T14:33:00.000+01:00

National holiday celebrating the Restoration of Poland's independence at the end of WWI, 1918, after 123 years of partitions by Austro-Hungary, Prussia and Russia.

Don't trust Facts!

2007-11-10T19:56:00.000+01:00

The Mouse (Rabbit?) says: "Don't trust Facts!"

Street lamp

2007-11-09T02:03:00.001+01:00

* * *

2007-11-08T11:39:00.001+01:00

* * *

The morning congestion

2007-11-05T13:29:00.001+01:00

Katowicephotoblog: reactivation!
Greets to all ;)

The roof

2007-10-15T08:49:00.001+02:00

Interesting architecture of the diocesan curia in Katowice.

Radio Katowice

2007-10-11T16:55:00.001+02:00

Radio Katowice... since 1927.

Architectural detail

2007-10-09T22:48:00.000+02:00

I was wandering close to the Cathedral today, and this fragment caught my eye...

Airship bis

2007-09-20T14:54:00.001+02:00

I know that I already posted it just two days ago, but today, the allegro.pl airship was kind enough to fly directly over my house, and I just couldn't skip such an photo op. ;)

BiblioCat

2007-09-19T11:48:00.000+02:00

Inspired by the BiblioCat from Selma, Alabama, USA,
here is my learned cat from Katowice, Poland :)

Autumn leaves

2007-09-18T20:52:00.000+02:00

Airship over Katowice

2007-09-17T09:00:00.000+02:00

I saw it yesterday, soaring over Katowice.... if you look closely at the blowup photo, you'll see that the airship is an advertisement for the allegro.pl portal, which in Poland is something like e-bay.

Maluch

2007-09-16T10:54:00.000+02:00

Polish Fiat 126p. Back than Poland used to be swarmed with them :)
Nowadays they are pretty rare in the streets.

European bison ...

2007-09-15T22:10:00.000+02:00

Lat. Bison bonasus...

Right. But IN A SUPERMARKET ?!

Evening...

2007-09-09T08:45:00.000+02:00

* * *

A new graffiti

2007-09-02T12:37:00.001+02:00

I've seen these bunny creatures in other places of Katowice too, it must be painted by the same mural artist... His style is quite characteristic. I must take pictures of the other ones as well 'cause I like them a lot.

Movable winter garden? sun launge?

2007-09-01T11:18:00.001+02:00

I spotted it yesterday and it made me smile, so unusual it looked in the road...

Facade

2007-08-29T01:45:00.001+02:00

***

Visual Advertising...

2007-08-27T15:45:00.000+02:00

...in the centre of Katowice.
At the same time it provides cover for the scaffolding,
as the building is undergoing some major overhaul.

One more from the seaside

2007-08-25T10:17:00.001+02:00

A sunset at the Baltic sea. Next week I'm back to blogging from Katowice. Take care, everyone!

Greetings from the seaside

2007-08-21T08:20:00.000+02:00

The crowdy beach in Łeba on a sunny day.

[edited later] Sure, the beach is CROWDED! ;) LOL
I must have had sunstroke when I was writing that...

Please, Mr Postman....

2007-08-14T08:38:00.000+02:00

"Mister postman look and see

You got a letter in your bag for me
I been waiting such a long time..."

As I'm leaving for a few days, there will be no new photos untill next week - unless I find time and access to internet in the place where I'm going ;) But keep visiting - I'll be back!

Pedestrian bridge

2007-08-13T13:07:00.000+02:00

I've already posted it once (you can find it clicking the tag "bridge"),
but this is taken from different place, at different angle...

Swallow chicks waiting to be fed

2007-08-10T15:26:00.000+02:00

The swallow mother was busy cruising to and fro to feed the hungry birdies.

Sunset

2007-08-07T01:23:00.001+02:00

In a way, this is a continuation of the "airport series",
as this photo was taken on the way to the airport.

Departure Hall

2007-08-06T11:41:00.000+02:00

The Katowice Airport - continued...

Airport views

2007-08-03T14:23:00.000+02:00

CentralWings flight has just landed...
(view from the observation deck)

International Airport in Katowice

2007-08-02T23:26:00.000+02:00

This is a new building of the airport. Incidentally, the Katowice airport was the very first photo in this blog, and today, a year and a few days later, here is another one.

Deprtment Store

2007-07-29T19:50:00.000+02:00

This depertment store can be found in the very centre of Katowice, near the main square. On the ground floor you'll find very fine delicatessen store.

Altus

2007-07-28T00:25:00.001+02:00

Upper Silesian Centre of Culture

2007-07-26T21:56:00.000+02:00

The photo's been taken by the camera in my mobile, sorry for the poor quality. The building is sometimes nicknamed "bunker" by the locals... no wonder, just look at this architecture :) Nevetheless, it is a great cultural centre, where many very interesting cultural events take place: exhibitions of paintings and photography, concerts, theatrical perfomences (the KOREZ theatre has is seat there), and even ballet performances (last year saw there Swan Lake performed by the Mocow City Ballet).

Mine shaft wheel

2007-07-22T20:31:00.000+02:00

A hoist wheel from a mine shaft. Just look at it - it's huge!
You can see it in the previous photo in the mine shaft.
This particular one in the photo above is "an industrial decoration"
in front of Silesia City Centre.

Classical view

2007-07-21T01:36:00.001+02:00

Just look at this: it's something that once was a classical Silesian view - a mine shaft. Nowadays there are not too many left... the one in the photo isn't working any more, serves as a kind of a landmark... this is in the area of the Katowice Coal Mine.

By the way:

IT WAS THIS BLOG'S 1st BIRTHDAY YESTARDAY !!!!!
(how could I have missed it... I should have thrown a party!)

Happy blogging to you! Happy blogging to you!
Happy blogging, dear kjola - Happy blogging to you!
;)

2007-07-20T17:11:00.001+02:00

This "police car" is simply an uncanny advert for a bookstore with cheap, possibly second-hand books.

Yesterday's match

2007-07-15T17:46:00.000+02:00

A few photos from the yesterday's match. Now the Polish and American team are playing for 3rd place... I'm keeping my finger crossed!

yesterday...

2007-07-15T10:13:00.000+02:00

POLSKAAAAA !!! Biało-czerwoni ! ! !

2007-07-15T01:15:00.000+02:00

Although the Polish team lost to Brazil in the semi-final :-( the sports spectacle was really GREAT!!! I'll post more photos tomorrow. There are two more matches on Sunday: Poland vs. USA (for the 3rd place) and the GREAT FINAL: Brazil vs. Russia!

Just a view from the window...

2007-07-13T08:01:00.001+02:00

I like the lighting in this photo.

The Golden Donkey

2007-07-11T09:49:00.000+02:00

Warm, bright colours and panoply of oriental patterns – this is the inside of “Złoty Osioł” (The Golden Donkey) veggie restaurant in Katowice. Equally versatile is their menu – each day you’ll find something new, and virtually EVERYTHING I’ve ever eaten there was delicious. And the prices are very very reasonable, so many locals dine there very very often....

The old and the new

2007-07-09T13:49:00.001+02:00

Something old - beautiful houses in the centre - and something new - Altus, a new building where you can find the Qubus Hotel, Gymansion, sushi bar, Casino, a cinema and probably a lot of other interesting places to visit.

The Adam Mickiewicz Secondary School

2007-07-06T19:26:00.001+02:00

One of the best secondary schools in Katowice. You can see more photos on their website.

The Theater of Silesia

2007-07-05T08:04:00.000+02:00

The Stanisław Wyspiański Theater is located in the heart of the town, close to the main square.

The frog fountain

2007-07-04T16:35:00.001+02:00

Here is THE FROG! Isn't she nice? (Actually, I'm not aware whether it is he-frog or she-frog... but because the word frog (żaba) is feminine in Polish, I am used to thinking about this statue as SHE: Mrs Frog, of Princess Frog.. whatever you want. I don't remember how long she's been around, but quite a few years, I think. I was a child when they installed this fountain, and I hope it will stay in Stawowa Street for ever!

Stawowa Street

2007-07-03T22:50:00.001+02:00

Stawowa Street - a walk in the very centre of Katowice - only for pedestrians. If you go straight ahead, you'll encounter a funny frog fountain [stay tuned! the frog will be here soon!], and the ugliest railway station in the eastern hemisphere :-) [its photo's ready and waiting for its turn]

Coffee anyone?

2007-07-01T21:36:00.000+02:00

They offer delicious hot chocolate, exquisite pralines and coffee.
It's in Silesia City centre, next to the fountain.

2007 World League

2007-06-30T20:40:00.001+02:00

Yestrday the Polish team won over Bulgaria. Today, right now they are playing again. Hope they will win the second time! :)

"Brazil, Bulgaria, Poland and Russia are already qualified for Final Six tournament of World League in Katowice. Final Six of volleyball World League will take place from 11th - 15th July 2007.

Brazil did not lose one game in Pool A and one week early gets its ticket to the Katowice. Russia has reached the FIVB Final Six tournament from pool C losing just one match in Havana. Poland overtake Bulgaria in Pool D. Poland won all the pool D matches, Bulgaria lost just two times with Poland.

Final Six teams: host country - Poland, the winner of each pool, plus one wild card chosen by the FIVB."
(source)

Orange freak

2007-06-28T22:32:00.001+02:00

To complete the previous postings (here, here & here), today is the close up of another piece of "machinery turned into decoration" which adorns the lawn in the front of the Silesia City Centre. Don't ask me what it is...

Tyrannosaurus rex

2007-06-26T17:41:00.000+02:00

In the Chorzów zoo they have dinosaurs...
(made of concret ;)

Before the storm...

2007-06-24T02:25:00.000+02:00

On Friday there was a terrible storm here.

Gigantic...

2007-06-19T23:46:00.002+02:00

These gigantic pots act as decoration of the square in front of the Silesia Citly Centre.

Fire engine

2007-06-17T08:39:00.001+02:00

Evey little boy wants to be a firefighter (until he changes his mind, of course ;)
Fortunately, there was no fire when I took the photo, "the boys" had some other, less dangerous business to attend...

Lilliputain tree

2007-06-16T19:04:00.000+02:00

On the other hand: it looks like a gigantic bonsai ;)

Hippo

2007-06-10T01:25:00.001+02:00

I've visited the Zoo today. Actually, the zoo park is in CHORZÓW, a town neighbouring Katowice. But, as I've written many times before, Silesia is a big urban agglomeration of many towns. Today: greetings from the hippo :)

At the bus stop

2007-06-08T19:44:00.000+02:00

The people are waiting for a bus on this bright and sunny day. It's soooo hot in Katowice...

Trabi

2007-06-04T10:37:00.000+02:00

This photo was actually taken in Mysłowice (a town some 15 mininutes drive from Katowice), at the Car Market - one of the biggest in Silesia. You can sell your car there and buy a second-hand one.
This yellow tabant is one of the very few that can be seen on the Polish roads, a kind of "keepsake form the past", owned nowadays only by enthusiasts, who often form fan clubs.

Polish people used to give trabant many funny nicknames in the past: Trabi, Trampolina (which actully mens "springboard", but sounds funny whith reference to trabant ), Trampek (which actually means "sneaker" or "plimsoll shoe"), Mydelniczka (which means "travel soap box" - 'cause trabant's body was made of plastic)
or Honecker's Revenge :-)

Unbelievable

2007-06-03T00:01:00.000+02:00

Will you believe that this dilapidating house is in the very centre of the town, close to the railway station? How sad...

Baloon

2007-06-01T21:40:00.001+02:00

A ballon carrying an advertisement of the "Perfect Boxing" show that is to be held in Spodek on June 9, when Tomek Adamek will fight against Luis Andres Pineda. The trophy is the IBO Cruiserweight Championship, and I don't have to write that I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Adamek. Also, Andrzej Gołota will fight after a two years' break.

[edited after the event]
Both Gołota and Adamek won their fights!

Street market

2007-05-31T13:10:00.000+02:00

Wanna buy something inexpensive (though not of the highest quality)? Go the market - a lot of people, a lot of goods, a lot od pickpockets... in general- a lot of fun.

Jack Sparrow rulez ;-)

2007-05-30T00:13:00.000+02:00

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN

Just for fun I'm posting this poster for the third Jack Sparrow's film. If you like the poster - just follow the link - and you'll find more nice pictures.

Stawberry season....

2007-05-28T16:06:00.000+02:00

Strawberry Season has officialy begun in Katowice!

Sweet :-)

2007-05-24T13:31:00.001+02:00

This in another "decoration" in front of the Silesia shopping centre. This piece of machinery is front-end overhead loader, but the English name doesn't sound so funny like the Polish one: ładowarka przedsiębierna zasierzutna :)))).
In the past such things were used in underground mines here in Silaesia, and, as you can see, it is on display in the beer garden.

An ancient press machine?

2007-05-23T19:01:00.002+02:00

I have yet to discover what the original function of this machine was. Nowadays it's pretty decorative - whatever it is. It's quite huge, something like 2,5 - 3 meters tall, I think. It's a pity I haven't asked someone to pose next to it to see the proportions.

Old machinery

2007-05-21T20:47:00.000+02:00

To keep the "traditional, industrial atmosphere" of the place, the old machinery has been brought on display in front of the Silesia shoping centre. These old machines, once used in mines (or factoris?) have been painted with bright colours (the orange and green shapes in the photo), and nowadays form a huge, intriguing decorations or monuments.... I'll post separate photos of them later this week.

Katowice Photo Blog

Protestant Church by night

Oak Terraces

:-)

Tadaam!

The Student Statue

Silesian Scouts Monument

Roadworks

Tiger, tiger burning bright...

And one more...

Found the mouse!

Staromiejska Street

The MC (and Director, I suppose...)

Flabbergasted...

Wojewodzka Street

"Pod butem" Town House - detail

Saturn

Restored house

in a nutshell...

"Zenit" Triptic

Railways again

"Europa" Circus in Katowice!!!

Cannon

Railways...

Hotel Silesia

Urban landscape with a fountain

Ornaments

The shoes

St Mary's Church revisited

Spring's in the air...

A rainy day

Railways

Frost and snow again :(

Ech... zima.

Water Tower in Katowice-Giszowiec

Winter morning

Silesian Insurgents Monument...

The Roundabout..

Independence Day

Don't trust Facts!

Street lamp

* * *

The morning congestion

The roof

Radio Katowice

Architectural detail

Airship bis

BiblioCat

Autumn leaves

Airship over Katowice

Maluch

European bison ...

Evening...

A new graffiti

Movable winter garden? sun launge?

Facade

Visual Advertising...

One more from the seaside

Greetings from the seaside

Please, Mr Postman....

Pedestrian bridge

Swallow chicks waiting to be fed

Sunset

Departure Hall

Airport views

International Airport in Katowice

Deprtment Store

Altus

Upper Silesian Centre of Culture

Mine shaft wheel

Classical view

Advertisement

Yesterday's match

yesterday...

POLSKAAAAA !!! Biało-czerwoni ! ! !

Just a view from the window...

The Golden Donkey

The old and the new

The Adam Mickiewicz Secondary School

The Theater of Silesia