Murcki Valley

Dolinka Murckowska (the Murcki Valley) is a recreation area in the Murcki district of Katowice, in the valley of the Przyrwa river. Today it is a well-kept corner with a pond and a water garden, and its history goes back further than you might expect.

From bison enclosure to recreation complex

In 1865 the site was prepared as a temporary enclosure for four bison brought from Białowieża. Later the valley was taken over by mining: old maps show the “Emanuelssegen” mine (later “Murcki”) with five shafts. In the 1970s a recreation complex was built here, with a swimming pool, paddling pools, a fitness trail and tennis courts, designed by a team of architects. Over time the facilities began to deteriorate, and the pool turned into an illegal dump.

A tidied valley

The site was cleaned up in 2009-2010 and a ban on cars entering beyond the car park was introduced. A further revitalisation involved planting hundreds of plants and creating a water garden. The valley is overgrown with alder-ash riparian forest as well as hornbeams, elms and oaks, and among animals newts, sand lizards and adders are mentioned. Two hiking trails, black and green, lead through the valley, and picnics are sometimes organised here in summer.

Practical information

• Murcki district in Katowice, valley of the Przyrwa river.
• Nearby, about a kilometre away, is the Las Murckowski nature reserve.
• Cars cannot enter the area; leave your car in the car park.