2024:Tours and Side Events
Katowice is a city with many cultural and heritage places to see and visit, as well as outdoor squares and parks to enjoy. The Wikimania COT has been working with multiple local partners to enrich the experience of the Wikimedians traveling for Wikimania to Katowice and has curated the following tours/experiences exclusively for Wikimania 2024 attendees.
Important Note:
- Tours are limited and subject to availability.
- Please reserve a slot after due consideration of your plans and availability. If your plans change, please make sure you cancel on eventbrite to allow others to join.
- Please read the details carefully and registration is available on a first come first serve basis.
- All reservations will be confirmed via email early August.
- Only registered participants will be allowed in the tours.
Updated Deadline: Since we are receiving cancellations, Tour sales will be open upto 12 hours before the respective start time. Please keep checking the tour registration page for availability.
Wiki Science Competition Photo Exhibition
editBeauty of Science. Wiki Science Competition photo exhibition Created in partnership with the European City of Science, a Wikimedia photo exhibit takes over the center of Katowice with 40 photos showing how beautiful science can be. Runs from 1-13 August in Plac Kwiatowy. Free and open for everyone.
DAY IN THE PARK (Including Ethnography Museum, Stadium, Planetarium, Sky Gondolas, Zoo And Amusement Park)
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Tip: The nearest tram stop for Ethnography Museum and Stadium is Chorzów Stadion Śląski.
Ethnography Museum (Muzeum Górnośląski Park Etnograficzny)
Meeting point – Parking at the main entrance
| Tour Details | Date/Time (Local Time) | Max Number of Participants | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Guided Tour (in English) | 2024-08-06 11:00-12:00 |
25 | Register |
| Free Guided Tour (in English) | 2024-08-06 12:30-13:30 |
25 | Register |
Silesian Stadium – for sport, architecture and engineering lovers. See one of the biggest glass roofs in Europe and climb to the bird view spot overlooking the stadium and Park. Take your camera.
Meeting point – Conference center next to sky gondola station
| Tour Details | Date/Time (Local Time) | Max Number of Participants | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Guided Tour (in Polish and English) | 2024-08-06 12:30-13:30 |
25 | Register |
Planetarium is located within 25 minutes walking distance through the park from Ethnography Museum. You can also get there by Sky Gondola from Amusement Park Gondola station
Meeting point – Main Entrance
| Tour Details | Date/Time (Local Time) | Max Number of Participants | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Extreme Experience: Space Flight Simulator – in English
Note: Caution! You’ll be exposed to high speed, turbulence etc. |
2024-08-06 14:30-15:45 |
20 | Register |
| Free Screening: The Sun. Our Living star – in English and German (headphones) | 2024-08-06 16:30-17:15 |
40 | Register |
LIBRARIAN WALKS: One Day 4 Exciting Places, 2 Libraries, 2 Editing Opportunities
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Note: You can join a tour when you want! It will be a chance for editing Wikipedia articles (a small edit-a-thon!)
There is a possibility to meet earlier at 8:30 am in front of the Diament Plaza Hotel for those who want to take part in the photo walk. Come to the meeting point near the hotel.
| Tour Details | Date/Time (Local Time) | Max Number of Participants | Registration Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Tour: Silesian Library visiting Department of Special Collections and Department of Digitalisation. Meeting point – main entrance | 2024-08-06 10:00-12:00 |
15 | Register |
| Guided Tour: Music Academy and “Silesian Pipe organ museum”. Meeting point – entrance at Zacisze Street | 2024-08-06 12:00-13:00 |
15 | Register |
| Guided Tour: Theological faculty of Silesian University – library and cathedral underground Pantheon
Meeting Point: library entrance at Wita Stwosza 17 Street |
2024-08-06 13:00-15:30 |
15 | Register |
| TOUR CANCELLED
|
15:30-18:00 |
City walking tours with a local tour guide (and a Wikimedian!)
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WALK THROUGH THE HISTORIC SETTLEMENTS OF KATOWICE
editNikiszowiec consists of picturesque apartment blocks built of red brick. The block of the neo-Baroque St Anne’s Church dominates the estate.
Giszowiec, also designed by the Zillmans, is a neighboring, also historic, patronal estate which was built for the miners of the “Giesche” coal mine between 1907 and 1910. Originally, it consisted of small houses, mostly one- and two-family ones, referring in their shape to a country house from the vicinity of Pszczyna. Giszowiec used to be a compact mining estate, the architectural layout spoiled by the large-panel blocks of flats built in the 1970s.
Both Nikiszowiec and the neighboring Giszowiec are located on the Industrial Monuments Route of the Silesian Voivodeship.
WALK THROUGH THE ARCHITECTURE OF KATOWICE
editKatowice is a city with a rich industrial history, which in recent years has been transformed into a modern center of culture and science. The city’s architecture is unique, combining industrial elements with modern, avant-garde buildings. During a walk of about 3.5 km, we will get to know some of Katowice’s best-known and most characteristic buildings. Here are some of the points we will visit during our two-hour walk in Katowice:
- Spodek: This iconic building, resembling a flying saucer, is one of the most recognisable symbols of Katowice.
- NOSPR: The headquarters of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra is a modern building that combines concert, educational and research functions. Designed by Tomasz Konior, the building refers to the industrial architectural landscape of Silesia.
- CINIBA: The Centre for Scientific Information and Academic Library is one of the most modern buildings at the University of Silesia. Its monolithic body, clad in red brick, is reminiscent of the austere brickwork of the neighboring buildings.
- Faculty of Film and Television building at the University of Silesia: a modern facility that serves as a creative center for film and television students. The building houses, among other things, a film studio, a projection/film room and specialist studios.
- Academy of Music building: The new Academy of Music building is a true music center. The building consists of around 640 rooms, including concert halls: symphonic, chamber, theater and opera and organ.
- Silesian Seym (Parliament) Square with its surroundings: This historic square, surrounded by magnificent buildings including, in particular, the Silesian Parliament, has representative functions. In the middle of the square is a monument to Wojciech Korfanty.
- Katowice Skyscraper: This historic building, also known as the Tax Office Building, was the second skyscraper built in Poland after the First World War. It was completed in 1934 and is considered the most interesting and spectacular example of functionalism in Poland.
| Tour Details | Date/Time (Local Time) | Max Number of Participants | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Guided Tour (In English and Polish): Architecture of Katowice | 2024-08-06 10:00-12:00 |
30 | Register |
| Free Guided Tour (In English and Polish): Historic settlements of Katowice | 2024-08-06 16:00-18:00 |
30 | Register |
| Free Guided Tour (In English and Polish): Historic settlements of Katowice | 2024-08-08 17:30-19:30 |
30 | Register |
| Free Guided Tour (In English and Polish): Architecture of Katowice | 2024-08-11 11:00-13:00 |
30 | Register |
Silesian Museum: Free Guided Tour in English < 90 minutes
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Meeting Point: Through main entrance, you will meet with your guide at main ticket window (main building, level -2)
| Tour Details | Date/Time (Local Time) | Max Number of Participants | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Guided Tour in English < 90 minutes | 2024-08-06 18:00-19:30 |
25 | Register |
| Free Guided Tour in English < 90 minutes | 2024-08-08 18:00-19:30 |
25 | Register |
| Free Guided Tour in English < 90 minutes | 2024-08-09 18:00-19:30 |
25 | Register |
Workshop: Create your own traditional Bolesławiec pottery mug
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Bolesławiec pottery is a traditional Polish ceramics, widely known for the characteristic blue and white pattern, which has become one of the cultural symbols of Poland. At Wikimania you will have an opportunity to paint (and take home!) your own Bolesławiec mug.
Participants of the workshop will paint their own traditional Bolesławiec pottery mug. The mugs will be then taken by the organizers to be fired in a kiln and then given back to the creators on Saturday. The workshop will also contain information about the Bolesławiec pottery.
The event is being hosted in collaboration with the National Agriculture Support Centre
Location: Main Hall (Gdańsk), International Congress Centre, Katowice (Main Wikimania Venue)
You have to register for the workshop. Deadline: End of Day, 6th August, 2024 (CEST)
| Date/Time (Local time) | Max Number of Participants | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-08-08 9:00-10:30 |
50 | Register |
| 2024-08-08 10:30-12:00 |
50 | Register |
Wikimania 2024 afterparty with National Museum in Kraków
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National Museum in Kraków, partner of Wikimedia Poland, invites Wikimania 2024 attendees for a walk throught its three branches and the Kraków Old City. You will see MNK Wyspiański, MNK The Sukiennice, and MNK Czartoryski Museum. Thanks to continuous additions and donations, museum owns more than 1 million pieces of art and culture heritage, making them the largest collection in Poland. Digital reproductions of items are published by the museum at zbiory.mnk.pl and on Commons through WikiProject GLAM – National Museum in Kraków.
Registration deadline is by August 10th.
Price is 25 Polish złoty (less than 6 euro).
Please note that this activity takes place in Kraków, which is 70km (45 mi) from the Wikimania venue. Transport to Kraków is self-organised and not covered in the entrance fee.
| Date/Time (Local time) | Max Number of Participants | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-08-11 14:50-17:50 |
20 | Register |
Commons Photographers User Group Photowalk
editPhotowalk on Thursday, August 8 at 19:00 local time after the CPUG Meetup starting in room Ohrid. All camera types are welcome from phones to DSLR to film. Support for all skill levels especially those in the I have never taken a photo for Wikimedia Commons but want to learn.
Sign up at Commons:Commons:Commons Photographers User Group/Photowalk/Wikimania Katowice 2024
Additional Self Organized Tour Options
edit- Sky Gondolas (Kolejka Linowa Elka) – exciting way to move in the Park
- No registration needed. Self funded. Tickets 27 PLN for single ride, two rides 35 PLN; four rides 45 PLN, purchasing at the Sky Gondolas stations
- Operating hours: 10-19.
- There are two two-way roads:
- Stadium Station-Amusement Park Station (Wesołe Miasteczko)
- Amusement Park Station (Wesołe Miasteczko) - Planetarium Station
- The nearest tram stops for Sky Gondolas are Chorzów Stadion Śląski and Park Śląski Wesołe Miasteczko
- ZOO: self funded, no registration needed. Map
- Operating hours: 9-19
- Tickets: 26 PLN
- Tram stop: Park Śląski Ogród Zoologiczny
- Legendia Amusement Park (Wesołe Miasteczko).
- Self funded. Rollercosters, bungee, Ferris wheel etc. Map
- Tram stop: Park Śląski Wesołe Miasteczko
- Tickets: 169 PLN at the door; 129 PLN – online.
Community-organised activities
editWikimania is not just an opportunity to talk about Wikimedia things but also for wikimedians and friends to spend time together. In the name of self-organisation, feel free to add any activity you're planning and are willing to share with others.
Activities listed here are not organised nor coordinated by the COT.
| Date | Name of event (+ link to event page) | Location | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4, 6, 11 August | Auschwitz | Auschwitz | The visit tends to be traumatic. Maybe don't go alone? Please book at least a month in advance. |
| 5 August | Guido coal mine | Zabrze | Guided tour to minus 320 meters underground at the Guido Mine and Coal Mining Museum (in English). Please book in advance |
| Saturday 10 August, 9am | Katowice Parkrun | Kosciuszko Park, Katowice | Free, timed 5k run, walk or jog. Over 100 participants most weeks. One of over 2,000 Parkrun events in 22 countries across the world.
Just turn up, or register online if you want to receive an official time. https://www.parkrun.pl/katowice/ |
| August 8th, Thursday: 18:00-19:30 | Games and fun, activities organised by the CEE Youth | Hall C (Gdańsk), Main conference venue in Katowice | If you want to play board games, chat, meet new people or just have fun with some people you already know - come and join us! |
| 9 August, Friday,
03:30 (Poland) 09:30 (Malaysia / UTC+8) |
Global Indigenous Games Webinar | Virtual: Zoom/YouTube
Physical: Senate Hall, Muhammad Abdul Rauf Building, International Islamic University Malaysia |
In conjunction with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the webinar highlights the games of global indigenous communities, with the focus of mainstreaming these sports for global application and indigenous community empowerment. Highlighted games would include arctic games, sumpit, rampanau, Maori games, and many more. |