A Trip in the Shadow of Coal

Our tour began in the courtyard of “Alicja”, former Community House built in 1903 in Niemce, that is, a current district of Sosnowiec known under the name of Ostrowy Górnicze. View of a former house for clerks from a window in “Alicja”

One of the guests of honour was Captain Mieczysław Klein, a Home Army soldier during WWII

Former Community House. Entrance to “Alicja”, once the central location of the mining village of Niemce (the name of Ostrowy Górnicze until 1948)

Interior of ‘Alicja’

‘Alicja’ is currently owned by private owners, who have been restoring the building for years

Certain elements of the original equipment have been preserved, including the tables

Interior of ‘Alicja’

Interior of ‘Alicja’

A good photo is essential!

Interior of ‘Alicja’

The present design of the Ballroom was inspired by the works of Józef Mehoffer, a leading representative of Młoda Polska (Young Poland) modernist movement

Mehoffer’s style was characterised by decorative lines and colours, rich range of colours, passion for gildings and ornaments, as well as introduction of folk and symbolic motifs

Interior of ‘Alicja’

Captain Mieczysław Klein and scout leader Krystyna Narska

Interior of ‘Alicja’

Interior of ‘Alicja’

Tree and ornamental shrub nursery outside ‘Alicja’

Window in ‘Alicja’

Alicja’. Former Community House

Captain Mieczysław Klein and scout leader Krystyna Narska outside ‘Alicja’

Mr Mieczysław Klein remembered his first stay at ‘Alicja’ 84 years ago, when he fell asleep during a kinder party at the age of 4

Cpt. Mieczysław Klein is currently the President of the District Circle of the World Union of Home Army

During its over 100 years of history, Community House has served as an inn, library, theatre stage, ballroom, cinema, scouts headquarters and even a mangle. The balls would take place here every Sunday, with the dancing circle located outside the building

Alicja’ is one of the most prominent examples of Zakopane style in architecture outside the Polish highland region of Podhale. It was built in 1903, when the highlander architecture was a contender for the title of Polish national art.

The façades of ‘Alicja’ contain typical elements of Polish Highlander carpentry

View from the area near ‘Alicja’ towards school buildings erected by the Warsaw Society of Coal Mines and Metallurgical Plants

During WWII, Captain Mieczysław Klein worked for the Bureau of Information and Propaganda of the Home Army (ul. Z. Waltera-Janke, Ostrowy Górnicze)

Grave and monument of Red Army soldiers

Former hospital built by the Warsaw Society of Coal Mines and Metallurgical Plants, currently a branch of Municipal Public Library in Sosnowiec

Former hospital building (currently a library). Due to the infrastructure, before WWII Niemce was a more important location than the nearby Kazimierz. It held the office of the Management of the Warsaw Society of Coal Mines and Metallurgical Plants, as well as a hospital, school and Community House established by the Society

Plaque on the building shows that Ostrowy Górnicze is apparently located 282 metres above the Baltic Sea level

Former outpatient clinic built in Zakopane architectural style (view of the back of the building)

Former outpatient clinic built in Zakopane architectural style

Mine director’s villa with certain elements of the national style, in 1912-1937 the home of the General Director of the Warsaw Society of Coal Mines and Metallurgical Plants, Witold Sągajłło

School building from 1900

School building from 1900. ‘Alicja’ in the backgrond

Ms Krystyna Narska remembered tunics, ballet shoes and her school performance as a singin’ tree

Mr Mieczysław Klein remembered Kazimierz Coal Mine Orchestra, which would practise in the park in Kazimierz under bandmaster Piotr Milewski

… but apparently the most beautiful scent in Ostrowy is that of jasmine!’

Captain Mieczysław Klein and scout leader Krystyna Narska

School building from 1900

School building from 1900

Former “Zagłoba” cinema, later turned into a church

Rev. Franciszek Piwowarski brought the church door from Kraków thanks to his acquaintance with a well-known Polish architect and promotor of knowledge about art, Prof. Wiktor Zin

The Church of Our Lady of Unwearying Help in Ostrowy Górnicze, a district of Sosnowiec, built in 1987-2002

Tenement house which held a Jewish house of prayer. The Jewish community in Niemce was small but wealthy. They were a part of the Jewish religious community in Strzemieszyce, whereas the burials took place at the cemetry in Krzykawka. During WWII, the Jewish inhabitants of Niemce were moved to the ghetto in Strzemieszyce. Only few of them survived the war

Long before Facebook, messages would be sent by horseback mail service. The former seat of Postriders

Cross at the crossroads, in the area of the former Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

During the march towards Kazimierz, our guide contacted an inhabitant of the house which, as it turned out, used to be a locksmith workshop providing manufacturing and repair services for the coal mine, and then during the war, a foundry melting non-ferrous metals for German wartime production. Interestingly, our interlocutor’s father was a participant of the Third Silesian Uprising in 1921

Walking towards “KWK Kazimierz-Juliusz” coal mine.

Near “KWK Kazimierz-Juliusz” coal mine

Residential building erected by the Warsaw Society of Coal Mines and Metallurgical Plants.

Like his father, Captain Mieczysław Klein, Eng. used to work at “KWK Kazimierz-Juliusz” coal mine

Our guide lighting a candle in the meeting hall of “KWK Kazimierz-Juliusz” coal mine

Chapel in the meeting hall of “KWK Kazimierz-Juliusz” coal mine with the statue of St. Barbara, the Patron Saint of Mining. On the right, there is a trolley with the last ton of extracted coal.

Mirosław Oleś, HSSE Specialist and our guide in “KWK Kazimierz-Juliusz” coal mine

Chapel in the meeting hall of “KWK Kazimierz-Juliusz” coal mine. The inscriptions on the cross say: “Pray. Trust me. Do your thing.”

Guided tour in “KWK Kazimierz-Juliusz” coal mine

“KWK Kazimierz-Juliusz” coal mine

Kochbunker (“Koch’s Pot”, “Mushroom”), an element of German defence line B2 of 1944

Kinetic sculpture near Miejski Dom Kultury Kazimierz (Municipal Cultural Centre Kazimierz)

Inside Miejski Dom Kultury Kazimierz (Municipal Cultural Centre Kazimierz), which was established 50 years ago as a coal mine cultural centre

Inside Miejski Dom Kultury Kazimierz (Municipal Cultural Centre Kazimierz)

Leśna Park, currently known as Jacek Kuroń Park. One of the most charming and diverse leisure centres in the city. It was funded by “KWK Kazimierz-Juliusz” coal mine, and built with the participation of miners and inhabitants of Kazimierz over the period of several years

Leśna Park, currently known as Jacek Kuroń Park. One of the most charming and diverse leisure centres in the city

The Park was funded by “KWK Kazimierz-Juliusz” coal mine, and built with the participation of miners and inhabitants of Kazimierz over the period of several years

Staw Smug (pond) in Leśna Park

Staw Smug (pond) in Leśna Park

Near Smug (pond) in Leśna Park

Trees cut down in Las Zagórski (Zagórski Forest)

Tour in Las Zagórski (Zagórski Forest)

Old dip-heading in Las Zagórski (Zagórski Forest)

Kochbunker (“Koch’s Pot”, “Mushroom”), an element of German defence line B2 of 1944

Former coal mine shaft area. The yellow warning notice says:”ATTENTION SHAFT NO ENTRY”

Hammer and Pick – symbols of mining

Pond in Las Zagórski (Zagórski Forest)

Near “Staw Zatopione” (“Pond Flooded”) in Las Zagórski (Zagórski Forest)

On the route in Las Zagórski (Zagórski Forest)

Kochbunker (“Koch’s Pot”, “Mushroom”), an element of German defence line B2 of 1944

Stop ! Only pedestrians and cyclists allowed

Our tour finished near the building of former Mortimer” coal mine. Thank you for your attention!