Freedom Square

Freedom Square (Plac Wolności) is a square in the centre of Zabrze, closed to vehicle traffic and connected to Wolności Street, the town's main pedestrian promenade. It was formerly called Peter-Paul-Platz and 24 January Square.

A plan for the centre of the Tri-City

The first redevelopment plans date from the 1920s and were linked to the concept of a centre for the Gliwice-Zabrze-Bytom Tri-City. The first competition was announced in 1927, and in the next one, in 1928, well-known German architects took part: Paul Bonatz, Hans Poelzig, Max Berg and Dominikus Böhm. For financial reasons no design was carried out.

The rebuilding of 1933-1936

The work was carried out from July 1933 to 1936 to a design by Karl Breuer, a simplified version of Hans Poelzig's design of 1928. The steel frame of the building at Wolności Square 2 was made by the Donnersmarck Steelworks. The square has compact development with townhouses from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Sculptures and the well

On the square stands the sculpture “Meeting with One's Own Self” by Heinz Tobolla from 1997. In 2003 a historic well was discovered with the water surface at a depth of 18 metres; after the renovation of 2005 it is covered with glass and illuminated. There are also figures of characters from Janosch's fairy tales: Little Tiger, Tigerente and the Bear. A few hundred metres away is the House of Music and Dance.

Practical information

• The square is open to everyone, free entry.
• You can start a walk from the promenade of Wolności Street.