Silesian Insurgents' Square in Katowice

Silesian Insurgents' Square (Plac Powstańców Śląskich) is the central square of the Szopienice-Burowiec district, at the intersection of Obrońców Westerplatte, bpa Herberta Bednorza, Lwowska and Wiosny Ludów streets. Several historic buildings have survived around it.

The church complex

The most important is the complex entered in the heritage register in 1994: the neo-Gothic parish Church of St Hedwig from 1885-1887, the Gethsemane chapel from 1903 (designed by Ludwik Schneider) and the sculptures Adoration of the Cross and Pietà from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Next to it stands a presbytery from 1881. At number 6 a townhouse from the early 20th century has survived, formerly with a butcher's shop and a bakery, decorated with ceramics with floral and baking motifs.

The insurgents' obelisk

The Monument to the Silesian Insurgent takes the form of an obelisk with plaques commemorating the return of Upper Silesia to Poland. It also marks the place where the Freedom Monument of 1924 stood, destroyed by the Germans in 1939. The square was rebuilt as a roundabout in 2014-2015, so it is more a place for a short stop than for quiet rest. In the area is the Walcownia Zinc Metallurgy Museum, a little over a kilometre away.

Practical information

• The square is in Szopienice, free entry.
• The interior of the church can be visited outside services; ask the parish about the times.