The building of the former Stanisław Staszic High School in Sosnowiec

The building of the former Stanisław Staszica High School in Sosnowiec is a three-story neo-Renaissance structure, inspired by Italian architectural style. Its spatial layout was designed with education in mind, and its most valuable feature is the main auditorium on the top floor, adorned with frescoes and equipped with panoramic windows that allow abundant natural light. The history of the building dates back to October 29, 1894, when the Sosnowiec Realschule (Secondary School) was opened—the first secondary school in the Zagłębie Dąbrowskie region, funded by German industrialist Heinrich Dietel. After three years of operation in an adapted factory building, due to the growing number of students, Dietel decided to construct a new building, which was put into use on December 3, 1898. Among the significant changes in the building's history are the transformation of the Realschule into a Gymnasium (academic high school), and later into Stanisław Staszica High School, which operated until 1970. Subsequently, the building became the seat of the Faculty of Technology of the University of Silesia in Katowice. In 2013, the property was returned to the city, and in 2017, it was sold to a new owner. Since April 1, 2022, the building has housed the District Court in Sosnowiec. An interesting fact is that the building has changed its function over the years—from educational to judicial—reflecting the development and needs of the local community. The architecture and history of this place are an important part of Sosnowiec's cultural heritage, highlighting local educational and legal traditions.