Industrialisation  of Upper Silesia

 

The industrialisation of Upper Silesia, which began in the mid-18th century, transformed the area into one of Europe’s largest industrial regions. On the eve of World War I, the local zinc smelting industry was among the largest producers of this metal in the world, and the coal mining volume was second only to the Ruhrgebiet and the British mines. The iron and steel industry was also thriving, as was the related engineering industry.

Although the mining and metallurgical traditions of Upper Silesia date back to the Middle Ages, the early days of large-scale industry are associated with the Prussian rule. The state authorities initiated the construction of modern ironworks and coal mines and resumed ore mining. Additionally, in 1798, Johann Christian Ruberg invented a technology for producing zinc, a metal resistant to moisture. The new industry became a major consumer of local coal, enabling industrialists to make substantial profits for investment.

Inspired by the success of the state, successive aristocratic families decided to build steelworks and start mining coal. Among the heroes of Silesian industrialisation one can mention the figures of Karol Godula and Franciszek Winckler. Thanks to good economic acumen, both managed to build huge fortunes within a single generation. Industrial corporations built well-developed social facilities. This helped to establish workers’ housing estates, a network of hospitals and clinics, charitable organisations, factory shops and green areas.

 

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+ Buildings of the “Carsten-Zentrum” coal mine   (OWNED BY MUZEUM ŚLĄSKIE W KATOWICACH)

 

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+ General view of the “Falva” (later: “Florian”) ironworks in   (OWNED BY MUZEUM ŚLĄSKIE W KATOWICACH)

 

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+ Apart from hard coal mining, Upper Silesia was also home to iron ore and zinc mining. The photograph shows buildings an ore mine near Piekary Śląskie (OWNED BY MUZEUM ŚLĄSKIE W KATOWICACH)

 

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+ General view of the “Bismarck” steelworks (now: “Batory”) in today’s Chorzów  (OWNED BY MUZEUM ŚLĄSKIE W KATOWICACH)

 

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+  Upper Silesian miners working underground, photograph by Max Steckl   (OWNED BY MUZEUM ŚLĄSKIE W KATOWICACH)

 

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+ Interior of one of the Upper Silesian zinc smelting plants. Metallurgists operating a furnace based on the “Silesian” zinc smelting method. Photograph by Max Steckel  (OWNED BY MUZEUM ŚLĄSKIE W KATOWICACH)

 

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+ Metallurgists working at the “Laura” steelworks in Siemianowice Śląskie. Postcard issued by Max Steckel   (OWNED BY MUZEUM ŚLĄSKIE W KATOWICACH)

 

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+ As large industrial corporations were established, Upper Silesian plants began to be transformed into huge conglomerate plants performing industrial production at various stages. The picture shows a fragment of a conglomerate owned by “Friedenshütte” (“Pokój” steelworks) in today’s Ruda Śląska, including a coal mine and a coking plant working for the nearby ironworks  (OWNED BY MUZEUM ŚLĄSKIE W KATOWICACH)

 

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+ General view of the “Anna” mine in Pszów  (OWNED BY MUZEUM ŚLĄSKIE W KATOWICACH)

 

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+ General view of the “Hohenzollern” coal mine (later” “Szombierki”) in  (OWNED BY MUZEUM ŚLĄSKIE W KATOWICACH)

 

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+ Upper Silesian miners at work underground, photograph by Max Steckel  (OWNED BY MUZEUM ŚLĄSKIE W KATOWICACH)

 

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+ Interior of the zinc-plated sheet mill in Świętochłowice-Lipiny    (OWNED BY MUZEUM ŚLĄSKIE W KATOWICACH)

 

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+ One story that stands out among the numerous people associated with industrial activity in Upper Silesia is that of Joanna von Schaffgotsch née Grycik (Gryzik). At the age of 6, she inherited the property of Karol Godula, which included numerous mining endowments and shares in coal mines and zinc works. Joanna Grycik (Gryzik) came to Godula’s home through her guardian, who worked there as a servant. Based on the unusual story of poor girl inheriting a big estate, Joanna was nicknamed “the Silesian Cinderella”. As an adult, Joanna became a noblewoman, married Count Hans Ulrich Schaffgotsch and successfully continued to develop the inherited estate     (GRAPHIC DESIGN BY KRZYSZTOF SŁOMKA)