Starganiec

Starganiec is a pond and leisure centre in Mikołów, right on the border with Katowice, on the edge of the Panewniki Forests. After a revitalisation in 2023, a public bathing area operates here.

How the pond came about

The pond was created in the mid-19th century on the site of earlier open-cast sand extraction. It has an irregular shape and measures about 220 by 180 m, and the water surface lies at about 265 m above sea level.

In the communist period the Baildon steelworks set up a water and recreation centre here for its employees. Today the centre no longer belongs to the steelworks.

Revitalisation and trails

The revitalisation of the reservoir and its surroundings was completed in 2023 to a design by the Amaya Architekci studio. Among other things, a public bathing area was created. Hiking trails run through the grounds of the centre: the Heroes of the Parachute Tower Trail, the Żwakowski Trail and the 25th Anniversary of PTTK Trail.

Nearby

• About 2 km away stands the Church of St Anthony of Padua in Panewniki.
• About 3 km from the pond is Zadole Park.
• About 3.4 km away is the brine graduation tower in Katowice.

Practical information

• Location: Mikołów, next to the border with Katowice, in the buffer zone of the GOP forest protection belt.
• Getting there: by car on national road no. 81, or by city buses, whose lines and timetables change, so check them before you set out.
• The opening hours and rules of the bathing area are set by the manager, and it is worth checking them before a visit.