Metallurgical Traditions Room of the “Szopienice” Non-Ferrous Metals Works in Katowice

The Metallurgical Traditions Room in Szopienice is housed in the former laboratory of the zinc works and tells the history of zinc metallurgy in Upper Silesia. It is run by retired employees of the works.

A laboratory left from the Bernhardi works

The room has operated since 4 May 1984, when it was opened for the 150th anniversary of the “Szopienice” Non-Ferrous Metals Works. It occupies the building of the former Central Chemical Laboratory from 1897, a remnant of the “Bernhardi” zinc works in Roździeń, which belonged to the Giesche company. The first curator was Dr Emanuel Wilczok, and since 31 January 1994 the room has borne his name. Since November 2004 it has also been the seat of the Association for the Creation of a Zinc Metallurgy Museum.

What to see

The permanent exhibition includes a panorama of the complex designed by the Zillmanns, technical exhibits, metallurgists' tools, old moulds and zinc products, old documents, porcelain and an original share of the Giesche company. You can watch old films about the production of non-ferrous metals, and see photographs, technical drawings and a fragment of a wooden altar with St Florian. The collection also includes equipment of the works fire brigade: helmets, extinguishers, an alarm and a wooden fire pump.

Guided by former metallurgists

Activists of the association, former employees of the works, act as guides and also lead tours around the buildings of the now closed works. The whole is complemented by the Rolling Mill - Museum of Zinc Metallurgy, about 300 m further on.

Practical information

• Address: 11 Listopada Street 30, Katowice-Szopienice.
• Visiting hours change; according to older information the room is opened on selected days of the week, so you need to contact the association before a visit (muzeumcynku.katowice.pl).
• It is about 2 km from here to the Nikiszowiec estate.