When I think of post-industrial sites in Poland, two places come to mind first – Łódź and the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, led by cities such as Katowice, Zabrze, Gliwice, and Chorzów.
Fascination
As someone from Gdańsk, I have been fascinated by brick Teutonic castles and monumental structures from a young age, such as the largest brick church in Europe – the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Perhaps this is why I am equally drawn to the impressive, brick “industrial castles” and the mining shaft towers that began shaping the landscape of Polish cities during the industrial boom at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Despite changing times, numerous examples show that these sites can be given new functions while preserving their cultural heritage.
More and more former factories, steelworks, mines, and other post-industrial sites are being transformed into modern hotels, conference venues, and cultural centres. Upper Silesia and Łódź are leading this process.
Silesia
The Silesian Museum in Katowice is a unique example in our country. Located on the grounds of a former mine in the city centre, the museum is hidden underground, making full use of the industrial space. The glass towers that once served as mining shafts are now skylights, and the entire complex offers exhibition and conference spaces.
The Coal Mining Museum in Zabrze is another place that has retained the rawness of its industrial spaces. The historic Guido Mine offers unique underground event spaces that attract organisers looking for authenticity and a distinctive atmosphere. Here, you can host team-building events like Turbo Golf, a formal dinner in the Compressor Chamber, or the Miners’ Shift 355 metres underground.
Meanwhile, the Maciej Shaft in Zabrze has been transformed into a restaurant and event space. It is worth noting that this is the only site in the Silesian Voivodeship on the Industrial Monuments Route and the Silesian Tastes Route, guaranteeing unique culinary experiences.
The Rolling Mill—Museum of Iron and Zinc in Katowice serves as both a museum and a venue for prestigious events. This was the site where the Polish Tourism Organisation and the SKKP organized the Polish Congress Ambassadors Gala in 2024.
Other notable venues in this region include the Chain Bathhouse at the Queen Louise Adit, the Gliwice Science and Technology Centre Cechownia, and the Museum of Metallurgy in Chorzów.
Find out more >>> Silesia Convention Bureau
City of Lodz
Łódź, once the centre of the textile industry, has become a symbol of successful urban revitalisation, not just in Poland. The Manufaktura complex opened in 2006 and transformed from the former factories of Izrael Poznański, is a vibrant shopping and cultural centre spread over 27 hectares.
It also includes venues such as the Andel’s Hotel by Wyndham, the Manuarte event space run by Agustin Egurola, the Museum of the Factory, and the Museum of the City of Łódź in the Izrael Poznański Palace.
EC1 Łódź – City of Culture is a former power plant complex that has been converted into a modern educational, cultural, and business centre. The EC1 Machine Hall is this complex’s largest and most impressive space. EC1 has hosted numerous prestigious events, including the Light Move Festival, the European Universities Games 2022, the See Bloggers conference, and the Routes Europe 2023 gala.
The Central Museum of Textiles in Łódź (currently showcasing the exhibition “Arkadius: Great Passions. Confrontations”), the Factory of Art in Łódź, and Monopolis Łódź are further examples of former factories being given new life as spaces for art, fairs, and events.
The Księży Młyn Scheibler complex, one of the most recognisable symbols of industrial Łódź, now houses the Academic Centre for Design, the Księży Młyn Brewery, Winoteka Wine & More, and the Museum of Cinematography in Łódź.
Księży Młyn also hosts urban integration games like TamTu, organised by Acora Events, which further enriches the incentive offering of this unique location.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Development Initiatives REGIO in Łódź organises unique themed walks, which bring the city’s history to life with guides dressed in period costumes. Such initiatives perfectly tap into the potential of Łódź’s historical spaces, engaging participants in an interactive way.
Find out more >>> Lodz Convention Bureau
Arche Hotels
No article on this topic would be complete without mentioning the Polish hotel chain Arche, which is particularly involved in the revitalisation of post-industrial sites. Their Tobaco hotel in Łódź, located in the Tobacco Park complex, is situated where the Łódź industrialist Karol Kretschmer established a textile factory in the 19th century. This demonstrates that it is possible to convert a space into a luxury hotel while preserving its historical architectural elements.
The hotel chain’s most renowned project is the Cukrownia Żnin in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, where a former sugar factory has been transformed into a hotel and conference complex.
Find out more >>> ARCHE HOTELE
The renaissance of Poland’s post-industrial sites is not only a testament to the care for history but also proof that the past and the future can go hand in hand. The industrial heritage, which until recently seemed unattractive and whose ruins haunted locals and tourists, is now gaining new life, becoming the foundation of a modern economy based on tourism, business, and culture. Thanks to these transformations, Poland is becoming an increasingly attractive destination on the map of European MICE destinations.
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All photos were taken by me with a smartphone.
