Ant Hill

Mrówcza Górka is a hill with an elevation of 305.7 meters above sea level, located in the Katowice Upland within the city of Katowice. It is composed of layers of Upper Carboniferous Orzeskie beds and forms part of the Katowice Plateau. The summit serves as a watershed dividing the catchments of three rivers: the Rawa, Bolina, and Potok Leśny. At the foot of the hill lie the historically significant Amanda colony and the newly developed Nowy Nikiszowiec housing estate. In the 19th century, the northern slopes of the hill were home to the Amanda colony, which had a population of 87 in 1871. The area was also the site of the "Amanda" hard coal mine, operational until 1883, and during the interwar period, the hill hosted masts for an aviation radio station. Ecologically, Mrówcza Górka stands out with its lower slopes covered by forests, including Central European oak-hornbeam forest, and the presence of rare plant species such as the common twayblade (Listera ovata). Despite its natural value, the area lacks any form of nature protection and is threatened by human activity and mass movements. Additionally, near the former Amanda colony, there is a pond fed by groundwater. The terrain's morphology has been shaped by weathering and denudation processes, and variations in the hill's recorded elevation over the years indicate changes in measurement. Due to its history and natural features, Mrówcza Górka is an area of interest for tourists and the local community, blending architectural remnants from the past with the cultural and environmental assets of modern Katowice.