Sowice

Sowice is a district of Tarnowskie Góry, located 2 km north of the city center, with a rich history and infrastructure. Its name derives from the peasant nickname "Sowa" (Owl), associated with medieval settlement. The district consists of several localities, including Repecko, Puferki, and Czarna Huta. The spatial layout developed along the Stoła River, and the area transformed from rural to urban as Tarnowskie Góry expanded. Sowice features a network of county and municipal roads, such as Juliusz Słowacki Street and Fabryczna Street. It also offers public transportation, with buses operated by the Metropolitan Transport Authority. The district has some limitations in rail transport, with passenger services suspended on line no. 144. Sowice is home to the Parish of Our Lady of Częstochowa, and the primary school, established in 1938, is named after Alfons Zgrzebniok. Archaeological research in the Sowice area has revealed traces of settlement from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Lusatian culture periods, making it historically significant. In the Middle Ages, Sowice began to thrive thanks to agriculture, cattle breeding, and ore mining, which led to population growth. The development of metallurgy in the 19th century increased the population to 780 people by 1926. The district continues to develop, gaining cultural and economic importance, making it an integral part of Tarnowskie Góry. An interesting fact is the presence of archaeological monuments in Sowice, such as Mesolithic settlements, and 19th- and 20th-century buildings listed in the municipal register of historical sites.