Gliwice\u2014What You Should Know<\/h2>\n\n
Gliwice, the former German Gleiwitz, with a population of about 170,000, is the third-largest city in the Upper Silesia metropolitan region. Following Nazi Germany\u2019s defeat in the Second World War, the German inhabitants were expelled from Silesia<\/a>. The German city of Gleiwitz\u2014which, unlike Katowice<\/a>, located just 35 kilometers away, still belonged to the German Reich during the interwar period\u2014became the Polish city of Gliwice. The city\u2019s mines and steel mills supplied the People\u2019s Republic of Poland, which was under Moscow\u2019s control, with important raw materials and goods. Silesia\u2019s industrial history remains evident to this day. Unlike in the German Ruhr region, many coal mines here are still in operation. Yet Gliwice also reflects Poland\u2019s transformation from a run-down People\u2019s Republic into a modern democracy with a rate of economic growth that most of its European neighbors can currently only dream of. The beautiful market square with its distinctive town hall, the old Art Nouveau buildings, the Caro industrialist\u2019s villa, and the world-famous Gleiwitz radio station are more than enough reasons to include Gliwice as a stopover in Poland. Gliwice is ideal for a day trip from Katowice, Wroc\u0142aw, or Krak\u00f3w<\/a>. But the city also has plenty to offer for a short getaway or as a base for exploring the surrounding area. That way, you won\u2019t miss out on the affordable and delicious restaurants here either. <\/p>\n\n Anyone looking at this simple wooden structure would probably never guess that a bizarre chapter in world history once unfolded here. Built in 1935, the tower served as a transmission mast for the Gleiwitz radio station. That was also the reason why, on the night of August 31 to September 1, 1939, SS men in Polish uniforms showed up here and staged a false attack\u2014the so-called \u201cGleiwitz Incident.\u201d In doing so, they provided the official German pretext for the invasion of Poland, which marked the beginning of World War II in Europe. Today, it\u2019s a museum that displays old broadcasting equipment and tells the story of this place and the consequences of those events. But the impressive wooden architecture is also worth a closer look. After all, it survived both Nazi rule and communism. Definitely worth a visit! <\/p>\n\n To be honest, the first few times I was in Gliwice, I had no idea that a true treasure of architectural history was hidden there. The Weichmann Silk House at 37 Ul. Zwyci\u0119stwa, formerly Wilhelmstra\u00dfe, was built in 1921\u201322 by the German architect Erich Mendelsohn and is considered one of the first modernist department stores; it is said to have served as a model for many later department store projects. It was even featured at the Bauhaus exhibition in 1923. It combines functionalist and expressionist elements. As one of the most significant examples of modern architecture in Upper Silesia, some in the city believe it could be Poland\u2019s chance to secure another UNESCO World Heritage Site. <\/p>\n\n Built for the textile merchant Erwin Weichmann, it originally served as a fabric and textile store. The building\u2019s history is a turbulent one: in 1932, the Jewish Weichmann family left Gleiwitz and emigrated to the United States. Erich Mendelsohn left Germany a year later due to the National Socialists\u2019 rise to power. <\/p>\n\n After decades of neglect, the building was finally renovated and restored to its original condition. Since 2008, a commemorative plaque and an information sign at the entrance have honored Mendelsohn. Today, the building houses, among other things, a bank. <\/p>\n\n The Rynek (Ring) is the heart of the city and a truly beautiful market square where you can sit and people-watch. Surrounded by colorful townhouses, the City Hall and the Neptune Fountain are the main attractions. On my first visit to the city\u2014when I was stranded there due to a car breakdown\u2014I simply sat down at a restaurant overlooking the square and enjoyed the view. I\u2019ve kept up this tradition ever since. It\u2019s a cozy way to start a visit to Gliwice. <\/p>\n\n Be sure to keep an eye out for the building at Rynek 22\u2014a beautiful Art Nouveau structure whose delicate facade from the Wilhelmine era makes it a real highlight. <\/p>\n\n Piastenburg is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the city. It was originally part of the city walls; later, the Gothic building that stands there today was erected on this site. The building\u2019s function remains a subject of research. What is known, however, is that it served as a prison for a long time. In fact, it was probably never a castle, as the Polish word \u201czamek\u201d might suggest. The name likely did not come into use until the 1980s. Today, Piastenburg houses the Muzeum w Gliwicach\u2014featuring collections on the city\u2019s history, archaeology, and art history. <\/p>\n\n One of the oldest churches in the city\u2014Gothic in origin, remodeled in the Baroque style. The imposing tower towers over everything in the surrounding area. Unfortunately, I had the misfortune of being in Gliwice on weekdays every time, so I wasn\u2019t able to visit the tower. It\u2019s not a massive cathedral, but that\u2019s precisely what makes it so charming: intimate, a bit weathered. A must-see for church enthusiasts, and for everyone else, a lovely quick stop on the way through the Old Town. <\/p>\n\n The large Protestant city church on the edge of the Old Town is an imposing brick structure\u2014the most imposing building in the Old Town and architecturally striking. Inside, it is very bright, simple, and dignified. It provides a nice contrast to the much older All Saints\u2019 Church. The towers can be seen from far away. <\/p>\n\n I love architecture and never cease to admire what people are capable of creating. That brings us to my personal hidden gem in Gliwice: The city is an open-air museum of the Gr\u00fcnderzeit and Art Nouveau eras. It\u2019s worth just strolling through the streets and marveling at it all. It doesn\u2019t cost a thing, and if you look closely, you\u2019ll discover traces of the past here and there. You should make a note of the following addresses: <\/p>\n\n Zwyci\u0119stwa Street (German: Wilhelmstra\u00dfe)<\/strong> \u2014the former main promenade from the German era, flanked by magnificent Gr\u00fcnderzeit buildings. It feels as if you\u2019re in Breslau or Posen. Dotted among them are a few modernist buildings from the interwar period. Villa Caro is a late-Neoclassical and historicist villa from the late 19th century and is now part of the City Museum. The building itself is beautiful\u2014elegant on the outside, with rotating exhibitions on the inside. During my last visit, there was an exhibition on Zdzis\u0142aw Beksi\u0144ski, who is sometimes referred to as the Polish HR Giger. <\/p>\n\n Speaking of taking a deep breath. Who would have thought that Gliwice has a tropical greenhouse? I certainly didn\u2019t. The Palmiarnia is a beautiful historic greenhouse filled with tropical plants, palm trees, and a small zoo area. It sounds like a school field trip, but it\u2019s actually charming and a great idea for a rainy day\u2014or just for fun. <\/p>\n\n One of my favorite places in Gliwice: the ruins of the former Victoria Theater right in the heart of the city. The building was set on fire in 1945 during the Soviet invasion and was never rebuilt. However, since the 1990s, an association has been working to revitalize the theater while preserving it as a ruin. Cultural events are held here: concerts, film screenings, and, of course, theater performances. <\/p>\n\n Yes, this is a recommendation for a post office building\u2014but what a one! The former Reichspost is an imposing, Wilhelminian-style masterpiece that shows just how much the Imperial era invested in Gleiwitz. Even today, you can still go inside and drop off packages\u2014in a building that looks like a small castle. Be sure to take a look inside. <\/p>\n\n The old coking plant site of the former Gliwice Coking Plant has been converted into a cultural center\u2014and quite successfully at that. Huge industrial halls, smokestacks, and an atmosphere that blends the romance of the Ruhr region with the Polish spirit of renewal. Concerts, exhibitions, markets, and events take place here. Even if nothing is going on at the moment, it\u2019s worth a visit for the architecture alone. For anyone who likes the Duisburg Landscape Park: this is its Polish counterpart. <\/p>\n\n The canal connects Gliwice with the port of Kosko\u015b and was long one of Silesia\u2019s most important industrial canals. Today, it\u2019s a beautiful place to take a stroll. The path along the canal\u2014especially heading east\u2014is one of the most relaxing walks I\u2019ve taken in Gliwice. Green, quiet, with a view of the water. Perfect for the early evening. <\/p>\n\n The Jewish community of Gleiwitz once had a rich history\u2014and traces of it can still be seen today. <\/p>\n\n The former Jewish funeral hall next to the new Jewish cemetery is a small neo-Gothic gem from the early 20th century. It was built based on a design by the Viennese architect Max Fleischer. The city acquired the building in the early 2000s, renovated it, and established the Museum of the Jews of Upper Silesia there. The 150-square-meter exhibition traces the history of the Jews of Upper Silesia from the 13th century through the Holocaust. <\/p>\n\n The Jewish cemetery is one of the best-preserved of its kind in Silesia. About 600 gravestones have been preserved on the 1.7-hectare site. There is also a memorial here for Jewish soldiers who fell in World War I. <\/p>\n\n The old Jewish cemetery was first documented around 1815. About 700 graves can still be found here near the main train station. The old headstones offer a glimpse into the city\u2019s long and rich Jewish history and the culture that was wiped out by the Nazis\u2019 war of extermination, which took hold in the city as a result of a lie. <\/p>\n\n Gliwice has a small but growing restaurant scene that goes beyond the usual Polish cuisine offerings.<\/p>\n\n Bar Mikrus \u2013 <\/strong>Not a milk bar, but more of a mini-restaurant not far from the Rynek. They still cook fresh food here. The pierogi ruski are usually sold out by lunchtime. I had a kotlett schabowy (like a schnitzel). It was freshly pounded and prepared while I was there, and it tasted great. <\/p>\n\n Boska<\/strong> \u2014 A little pricier, but it\u2019s right on the Rynek, and in the summer it offers a fantastic view of the square. A great place to enjoy a Silesian roulade (Rolady \u015bl\u0105skie)\u2014an absolute must-try. <\/p>\n\n Bar Teatralny<\/strong> \u2013 It\u2019s a short walk, just a few meters. Bar Teatralny has everything a lover of Polish cuisine could want: bigos, pierogi, \u017curek\u2014all for just a few z\u0142oty. An authentic milk bar. <\/p>\n\n Minibrowar Majer \u2013 <\/strong>Local craft beer, a cozy atmosphere, and long evenings. The perfect place to wind down at the end of the day. <\/p>\n\n Caf\u00e9s & Wine Bars Around the Rynek<\/strong> \u2013 Dining outdoors on the market square is especially enjoyable in the summer. Just sit down, order a beer or some wine, and watch the world go by. <\/p>\n\n Amok Cinema<\/strong> \u2013 This 1920s cinema also shows foreign films with Polish subtitles. Stunning modernist architecture. <\/p>\n\n Hotel Diament Plaza Gliwice*<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 A 4-star hotel located in a beautiful Wilhelminian-style kamienica right in the city center, just a few steps from the Rynek. Classically elegant rooms, a good restaurant, and a lobby bar\u2014a solid first choice if you\u2019re looking for a central and comfortable stay. <\/p>\n\n Jasna SportHotel & SPA*<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 An apartment hotel with an extensive wellness area: saunas, hot tubs, a pool, plus a climbing wall, tennis court, and squash court. Perfect for anyone who wants to work out or simply relax after sightseeing\u2014located just outside the city center but with good transportation links. <\/p>\n\n Studio na \u015aredniej \u2013 Gliwice Old Town Studio Apartment<\/a><\/strong>* \u2013 A compact, newly renovated apartment in a building from the 1920s, within walking distance of the Old Town. Ideal for anyone who wants to live independently and cook for themselves\u2014with its own kitchenette and plenty of local charm. <\/p>\n\n K2 Loft ApartHotel<\/a><\/strong>* \u2013 Modern, stylish apartments designed with attention to detail, located about one kilometer from the city center. The Gliwice Arena is also within easy walking distance\u2014a great option for longer stays or for anyone who values more space and privacy. <\/p>\n\n Gliwice Biennale \u2013 <\/strong>Every two years in the summer, the Biennale takes place in Gliwice, transforming the city\u2019s public spaces with free concerts, art installations, street art, and performances.<\/p>\n\n Kierunek GZM<\/strong> \u2013 The Microadventure Festival takes place every two years and offers a glimpse into parts of Gliwice that are often hidden from visitors. Many of the events also feature performances. This gave me an interesting look inside the ruins of the Victoria Theater. <\/p>\n\n True Tone Festival<\/strong> \u2013 Held annually in May amid the atmospheric ruins of Teatr Victoria. Over the course of several days, various musicians perform there\u2014the unique setting of the theater ruins makes the festival one of the city\u2019s most visually striking events. <\/p>\n\n Getting There: Gliwice <\/strong>is about a 1.5-hour train ride from Krak\u00f3w and about a 2-hour ride from Wroc\u0142aw. For those arriving by car: There are parking lots near the Rynek. Many of them now charge a fee. <\/p>\n\n When to go? Spring <\/strong>and fall are ideal\u2014the city is greener and more colorful, respectively, and the temperatures are pleasant. It can get hot in the summer, but the canal and the parks help. <\/p>\n\n Language: Polish <\/strong>, of course, but you can get by just fine with English. Some residents also speak German. <\/p>\n\n Budget: Gliwice <\/strong>is more affordable than Krak\u00f3w or Wroc\u0142aw. Food, drinks, and museums cost significantly less than in German cities of comparable size. <\/p>\n\n This book takes readers on a personal and historical journey along the former German-Polish border and sheds light on how landscapes, cities, and the way people live together have changed since the border shifts of the 20th century. For readers interested in the eventful history of Upper Silesia and German-Polish ties, it offers a sensitive yet informative insight into a region in constant flux. <\/p>\n\n You can order the book here.*<\/a><\/p>\n\n As a practical travel guide, this volume covers the entire southern region of Poland, from Upper Silesia through Krak\u00f3w to the Beskids. It combines in-depth background information on history and culture with practical travel tips on accommodations, transportation, and attractions. For anyone wishing to explore Upper Silesia as part of a larger trip through Poland, it provides a solid foundation for navigation and route planning. <\/p>\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/wildeast.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/sender-gleiwitz-1024x682.jpeg\")
The Top Attractions in Gliwice<\/h2>\n\n
Gleiwitz Radio Station (Radiostacja Gliwicka)<\/h3>\n\n
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Weichmann Silk House by Erich Mendelsohn (Dom tekstylny Weichmanna)<\/h3>\n\n
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Old Town and Market Square (Rynek)<\/h3>\n\n
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Piast Castle (Zamek Piast\u00f3w \u015al\u0105skich)<\/h3>\n\n
All Saints Church (Ko\u015bci\u00f3\u0142 Wszystkich \u015awi\u0119tych)<\/h3>\n\n
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St. Peter and Paul Cathedral (Katedra \u015awi\u0119tych Aposto\u0142\u00f3w Piotra i Paw\u0142a)<\/h3>\n\n
Art Nouveau and Wilhelminism: An Architectural Walk Through Gliwice<\/h2>\n\n
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Villa Caro<\/h3>\n\n
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Green Oases and Urban Surprises<\/h2>\n\n
Palm House (Palmiarnia Gliwicka)<\/h3>\n\n
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Ruins of the Victoria Theater (Ruiny Teatru Victoria)<\/h3>\n\n
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Main Post Office (Poczta G\u0142\u00f3wna)<\/h3>\n\n
Industrial Culture and Change: Nowe Gliwice and the Canal<\/h2>\n\n
New Gliwice (Nowe Gliwice)<\/h3>\n\n
Gleiwitz Canal (Kana\u0142 Gliwicki)<\/h3>\n\n
A story we shouldn’t forget<\/h2>\n\n
House of Remembrance for the Jews of Upper Silesia (Dom Pami\u0119ci \u017byd\u00f3w G\u00f3rno\u015bl\u0105skich)<\/h3>\n\n
New Jewish Cemetery (Nowy cmentarz \u017cydowski)<\/h3>\n\n
Old Jewish Cemetery (Stary cmentarz \u017cydowski)<\/h3>\n\n
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Food and Drink: Delicious Dishes from Silesian Cuisine<\/h2>\n\n
Restaurants and Cafeterias: Here you can enjoy delicious Silesian and Polish cuisine<\/h3>\n\n
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Caf\u00e9s, bars, nightlife: Great places to hang out during the day or at night<\/h3>\n\n
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Where to Stay in Gliwice<\/h2>\n\n
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Events and Festivals in Gliwice<\/h2>\n\n
Travel Tips<\/h2>\n\n
Book Recommendations for Gliwice and Upper Silesia<\/h2>\n\n
The Forgotten Border: A German-Polish Search for Clues from Upper Silesia to the Baltic Sea <\/h3>\n\n
Travel Guide: Poland\u2014The South<\/h3>\n\n