# Gliwice

> city with powiat rights of Poland in Upper Silesia

**Wikidata**: [Q105084](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105084)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliwice)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gliwice

## Summary

Gliwice is a city with powiat rights in the Silesian Voivodeship of southern Poland, located in the historic region of Upper Silesia. With a population of 174,016 as of the 2021 Polish census, it serves as the capital of Gliwice County and forms part of the Katowice urban area—the largest urban conurbation in Poland. The city has a complex history, having changed hands multiple times between Poland, Bohemia, the Habsburg monarchy, Prussia, Germany, and finally Poland again before the end of World War II, with its current Polish name Gliwice officially adopted in March 1945 after being known as Gleiwitz during German rule.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Silesian Voivodeship, Poland; coordinates 50.29416666666667° N, 18.66583333333333° E
- **Area**: 133.88 km²
- **Population**: 174,016 (2021 Polish census); 178,186 (June 2020 estimate); 179,806 (December 2018)
- **Population breakdown**: 83,499 male; 90,517 female (2021 census)
- **Elevation**: 200 meters above sea level (primary source); 278 meters (alternative source)
- **Timezone**: Central European Time (UTC+1); Central European Summer Time (UTC+2)
- **Local dialing code**: 32
- **Official name**: Gliwice (since March 1945); previously Gleiwitz
- **Classification**: City with powiat rights in Poland; big city (population over 100,000); tourist destination
- **Administrative status**: Capital of Gliwice County
- **Part of**: Katowice urban area (Silesian conurbation)
- **Twin cities**: Dessau-Roßlau (since 1992), Bottrop (since 2004), Doncaster, Kežmarok, Salgótarján, Valenciennes, Rădăuți (since 2002)
- **Website**: https://www.gliwice.eu/

## FAQs

**What country has Gliwice belonged to throughout history?**

Gliwice has belonged to the Kingdom of Poland (until 1335), Kingdom of Bohemia (1335–1526), Habsburg monarchy (1526–1742), Kingdom of Prussia (1742–1871), German Empire (1871–1918), Weimar Republic (1918–1933), Nazi Germany (1933–1945), and Poland (since January 24, 1945).

**What are the administrative divisions Gliwice belongs to?**

Gliwice is located in the Silesian Voivodeship (since January 1, 1999), previously in Katowice Voivodeship (1975–1998), and was part of the Kattowitz Government Region during Nazi German occupation (1939–1945). It is the capital of Gliwice County.

**What notable buildings and landmarks are in Gliwice?**

Notable landmarks include Gliwice Castle, Gliwice Radio Tower (transmission station in Szobiszowice district, built in 1935), Gliwice Cathedral, Gliwice Arena (multi-purpose indoor arena opened May 12, 2018), Stadion Piast (built in 1926), Villa Caro (built in 1885), New Synagogue (built in 1859, destroyed), and a Jewish ceremonial hall.

**What educational and cultural institutions are located in Gliwice?**

Gliwice is home to the Silesian University of Technology (founded in 1945), the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gliwice (established in 1992), and the Gliwice Arena. The city has a Jewish ceremonial hall and was historically home to the New Synagogue.

**What sports teams and companies are based in Gliwice?**

Sports clubs include Piast Gliwice (football club founded in 1945), GTK Gliwice (basketball team founded in 1998), and Stadion Piast is the home stadium. Companies include The Farm 51 (Polish video game developer founded in 2005, headquartered in Gliwice) and Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Urządzeń Mechanicznych (research and development company founded in 1968).

**What transportation infrastructure serves Gliwice?**

Gliwice is served by Gliwice railway station, the Silesian Interurbans tram system, and the Drogowa Trasa Średnicowa road. The city has an openstreetmap node ID of 28900665 and relation ID of 2103532.

**What are Gliwice's international connections?**

Gliwice is twinned with seven cities: Dessau-Roßlau (Germany, since 1992), Bottrop (Germany, since 2004), Doncaster (UK), Kežmarok (Slovakia), Salgótarján (Hungary), Valenciennes (France), and Rădăuți (Romania, since 2002).

## Why It Matters

Gliwice matters as a significant urban center in one of Poland's most densely populated and economically important regions. As part of the Silesian conurbation—the largest metropolitan area in Poland—Gliwice plays a crucial role in the nation's industrial heritage, economic output, and urban development. The city's complex history, having transitioned from Polish to Bohemian, Habsburg, Prussian, German, and back to Polish control over centuries, makes it a fascinating case study in Central European territorial evolution and identity.

The city's importance is underscored by its status as a city with powiat rights, meaning it functions as an independent administrative unit at the county level, serving as the capital of Gliwice County. This administrative autonomy, combined with its population exceeding 170,000, positions Gliwice as a major regional hub for commerce, education, and culture.

Gliwice's industrial legacy continues through companies like The Farm 51 (a notable video game developer) and OBRUM (research and development of mechanical equipment), demonstrating the city's transition from traditional heavy industry to modern technology sectors. The presence of the Silesian University of Technology further reinforces Gliwice's role as an educational center producing skilled graduates for Poland's technical workforce.

The city's cultural significance is evidenced by landmarks such as the Gliwice Radio Tower—a distinctive transmission structure in the Szobiszowice district—and Gliwice Castle, which represent the city's architectural heritage. The Gliwice Arena, opened in 2018, serves as a modern venue for sports and entertainment, contributing to quality of life for residents.

From a sports perspective, Piast Gliwice's presence in Polish football competitions brings national attention to the city, while the Silesian Interurbans tram system connects Gliwice to the broader metropolitan area, facilitating daily commuting and urban integration.

## Notable For

- Being a city with powiat rights and the capital of Gliwice County in the Silesian Voivodeship
- Part of the Katowice urban area—the largest urban conurbation in Poland
- Home to the Silesian University of Technology (founded 1945)
- Location of the Gliwice Radio Tower, a transmission station built in 1935 in the Szobiszowice district
- Historic Gliwice Castle and Villa Caro (built 1885)
- Gliwice Arena, a modern multi-purpose indoor arena opened in 2018
- Hosting Piast Gliwice football club (founded 1945) and GTK Gliwice basketball team (founded 1998)
- Headquarters of The Farm 51, a Polish video game developer founded in 2005
- Location of OBRUM (Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Urządzeń Mechanicznych), a research and development company founded in 1968
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Gliwice, established in 1992
- Seven twin city relationships spanning Germany, United Kingdom, Slovakia, Hungary, France, and Romania
- Complex historical identity with name changes from Gleiwitz to Gliwice in March 1945
- Population exceeding 170,000, qualifying as a "big city" in Polish administrative classification

## Body

### Historical Overview

Gliwice's history reflects the complex territorial changes of Central Europe. The city was originally part of the Kingdom of Poland until 1335, when it came under the control of the Kingdom of Bohemia. From 1526, it was part of the Habsburg monarchy until 1742, when it was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia following the Silesian Wars. Under Prussian and subsequent German rule, the city was known as Gleiwitz and developed as an industrial center in Upper Silesia.

The city became part of the German Empire in 1871, the Weimar Republic in 1918, and Nazi Germany in 1933. On January 24, 1945, Gliwice was liberated and returned to Polish control. The Polish name Gliwice was officially adopted in March 1945, replacing the German name Gleiwitz. The city's historical trajectory demonstrates the shifting borders and ethnic compositions that characterized Central Europe throughout the medieval and modern periods.

### Geography and Administration

Gliwice covers an area of 133.88 square kilometers and is located at coordinates 50.29416666666667° N and 18.66583333333333° E. The city sits at an elevation of approximately 200 meters above sea level (with an alternative measurement of 278 meters), situated in the Silesian Voivodeship in southern Poland.

As a city with powiat rights, Gliwice functions as an independent administrative unit and serves as the capital of Gliwice County. The city shares borders with Pyskowice, Gmina Gierałtowice, Zabrze, Gmina Zbrosławice, Gmina Rudziniec, Gmina Sośnicowice, Gmina Pilchowice, Knurów, and Tarnowskie Góry county.

Administratively, Gliwice has been part of the Silesian Voivodeship since January 1, 1999, following a major administrative reorganization in Poland. Prior to this, the city belonged to the Katowice Voivodeship from 1975 to 1998. During the Nazi German occupation (1939–1945), the city was part of the Kattowitz Government Region.

### Demographics

According to the most recent Polish census of 2021, Gliwice has a population of 174,016 residents. The population breakdown shows 83,499 males and 90,517 females, indicating a female-majority population typical of many European cities. Previous population figures include 178,186 as of June 2020 (estimated) and 179,806 as of December 2018.

The city's population of over 100,000 qualifies it as a "big city" in Polish administrative classification. Gliwice forms part of the Katowice urban area, also known as the Silesian conurbation, which is the largest urban area in Poland.

### Transportation and Infrastructure

Gliwice is served by multiple transportation infrastructure systems. The Gliwice railway station provides rail connectivity, while the Silesian Interurbans tram system connects the city to the broader Upper Silesian Conurbation. The Drogowa Trasa Średnicowa (Central Route Road) passes through the city, facilitating road transport.

The city has a local dialing code of 32 and operates on Central European Time (UTC+1) during standard time and Central European Summer Time (UTC+2) during daylight saving time. The city's UN/LOCODE is PLGWC.

### Education and Culture

Gliwice is home to the Silesian University of Technology (Politechnika Śląska), a technical university founded in 1945 that serves as a major educational institution in the region. The city also hosts the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gliwice, established in 1992, with Gliwice Cathedral as its seat.

Cultural venues include the Gliwice Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena opened on May 12, 2018, which hosts sports events, concerts, and entertainment. Historic landmarks include Gliwice Castle, a château that represents the city's architectural heritage, and Villa Caro, a villa built in 1885. The Gliwice Radio Tower, a transmission station in the Szobiszowice district built in 1935, is a distinctive feature of the city's skyline.

The city has historical Jewish heritage, evidenced by the presence of a Jewish ceremonial hall and the New Synagogue, which was built in 1859 and subsequently destroyed. These sites reflect Gliwice's multi-ethnic historical composition.

### Sports and Recreation

Sports in Gliwice is centered around Piast Gliwice, an association football club founded in 1945 that competes in Polish football leagues. The club's home stadium is Stadion Piast, built in 1926. GTK Gliwice is a basketball team founded in 1998 that represents the city in Polish basketball competitions.

The Gliwice Arena provides modern facilities for indoor sports and entertainment events, contributing to the city's recreational infrastructure.

### Economy and Industry

Gliwice hosts several notable companies and industrial facilities. The Farm 51, a Polish video game developer, was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Gliwice, operating in the video game industry. OBRUM (Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Urządzeń Mechanicznych) is a research and development company specializing in mechanical equipment, founded in 1968 and based in Gliwice.

The city's economy benefits from its location in the Silesian Industrial Region, historically one of Poland's most important industrial areas. The transition from traditional heavy industry to technology and service sectors is exemplified by companies like The Farm 51.

### International Relations

Gliwice maintains twin city relationships with seven cities across Europe: Dessau-Roßlau in Germany (since 1992), Bottrop in Germany (since 2004), Doncaster in the United Kingdom, Kežmarok in Slovakia, Salgótarján in Hungary, Valenciennes in France, and Rădăuți in Romania (since 2002). These relationships foster cultural exchange and cooperation across various sectors.

### Related Entities

The city is associated with several notable entities from its history and current operations. The Gliwice railway station serves as a transportation hub. The Silesian Interurbans tram system connects Gliwice to other cities in the conurbation. The Drogowa Trasa Średnicowa road provides highway connectivity.

Neighborhoods include Szobiszowice, which hosts the Gliwice Radio Tower. The Gliwice Radio Tower, built in 1935, serves as a transmission facility. Gliwice Castle represents historic architecture, while Villa Caro (1885) and the New Synagogue (1859, destroyed) reflect different periods of the city's history.

The Jewish ceremonial hall and the former New Synagogue attest to the city's Jewish community heritage. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gliwice, established in 1992, provides religious leadership for the region's Catholics.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/poland/timezones.php)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. MusicBrainz
7. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/012414766011-0940000?var-id=1639616&format=jsonapi)
8. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/012414766011-0940000?var-id=1639618&format=jsonapi)
9. [Source](https://bdl.stat.gov.pl/api/v1/data/localities/by-unit/012414766011-0940000?var-id=1639617&format=jsonapi)
10. GeoNames
11. TERYT
12. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/pl.htm)
13. System for IDs and names of places
14. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
15. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Gliwice;3905872.html)
16. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
17. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/5aa383c6-7777-4f19-8bf6-afed961db7ab)
18. museum-digital