Mokrski Brewery in Szopienice

The former brewery of the Mokrski brothers in Szopienice is a brick complex from the late 19th century, listed in the heritage register. After years of decay and a fire it was renovated and today serves as an office and warehouse centre under the name Browar Factory Centrum. For visitors it is above all an example of the successful adaptation of an industrial monument in Katowice.

From a farm to a brewery

In 1879-1880 Peter Mokrski bought a farm on the border of Roździeń and Szopienice, on the south side of the Brynica, and set up a brewery in it. In 1890 the plant was extended with a malthouse, a lagering cellar and a fermentation hall. In the early 20th century further farm buildings were added, as well as a brewery park with a works restaurant. The buildings were erected in the style of brick Historicism, of clinker brick.

After the founder's death, in 1912, the brewery was inherited by his heirs. After the First World War it was taken over by the rival Oberschlesische Linderbrauerei Hochberg, which stopped brewing beer and left only malt production. In 1923 the site was bought by the Porębski Brothers' Company of Kraków, which ran a malthouse, bottling and the sale of other makers' beer, wines and spirits. The firm went bankrupt in 1937.

Destruction and renewal

In 1942 the property was nationalised, and after the war the buildings housed warehouses and the headquarters of the ELMET company. In 1991 the complex was sold to Johann Bros. The site was then dilapidated and partly burnt out. From 1993 a revitalisation took place, led by the owner and Monika Paca, adapting the buildings for office and warehouse use while meeting conservation requirements.

The complex today

In the inner courtyard a green space with sculptures has been laid out, and in the buildings artistic activity is carried out and an exhibition of contemporary art is shown. The complex houses more than 70 companies over an area of about 30,000 m2, so it is a working place of work, not a museum.

Not far away stands the Walcownia, that is, the Zinc Metallurgy Museum, which shows another side of Szopienice's industrial history.

Practical information

• Address: ul. ks. bpa Herberta Bednorza in Katowice-Szopienice.
• The complex is used by companies, so it is worth checking the rules for entering the courtyard and the part with the exhibition before a visit.
• The outer form of the clinker buildings is best viewed from the street side.