Silesian Park

Home to numerous species of plants and animals, Silesian Park consists of six hundred hectares of forests, glades, and gardens. It is known as a ‘green island’ or the ‘green lungs’ of the Upper Silesian metropolitan area, a historic centre of mining and industry. Approved in 1950, Silesian Park was one of the first large-scale ecological projects in Europe, aiming to revitalise an industrially devastated natural environment of spoil tips, mining waste, illegal mines, cave-ins, swamps, and dumping grounds. Designed by Polish landscape architect Władysław Niemirski, the park was divided into two zones: a ‘quiet’ zone with forests and greenery where visitors can relax, read and observe nature, and another zone for culture and entertainment. Construction of the park began in 1951, when fertile soil and peat were brought in to help improve the acidic and polluted soil. It was built largely by volunteers. In later years, it was expanded to include a planetarium, amusement park, zoo, stadium and cable car. The park still exists today and is still developing.