Katowice Neon Depot

The Katowice Neon Depot (Katowicki Skład Neonów) is an open-air gallery in which advertising neon signs saved from demolished buildings in the city and the region hang as exhibits. It is located at Plac Sejmu Śląskiego 2 and is part of the Katowice Culture Centre.

How it came about

The idea came from Dominik Tokarski of the Moje Miasto association, and the official opening took place on 31 October 2013. The neon signs were recovered from rubbish bins or negotiated from the former owners of buildings, and their restoration took about two years.

What to see

The collection has about 18 neon signs. They include the word “Katowice” taken from the old PKP railway station, the “Aria” sign from a hotel in Sosnowiec, the sign “Rejon Bożedary” and the oldest one, nearly 40 years old, from the Millennium cinema. In 2014 the neon signs were shown in central Katowice as part of the Interpretations festival.

In the neighbourhood

The neon signs stand right next to the Cathedral of Christ the King, and half a kilometre further on is the Stanisław Wyspiański Silesian Theatre. The Silesian Museum is about 1.5 km from the neon signs.

Practical information

• Address: plac Sejmu Śląskiego 2, Katowice, Śródmieście.
• Check the current hours of access to the gallery before your visit.
• It is best to come after dark, when the signs are switched on.