Walcownia – Museum of Zinc Metallurgy

The Rolling Mill – Zinc Metallurgy Museum in Katowice-Szopienice is a historic site dating back to the early 20th century, entered into the register of monuments in 2010. It was built between 1903 and 1904 as one of the investments of the "Georg von Giesches Erben A.G." conglomerate, one of the world's largest zinc producers, to expand the capacity for processing raw materials into finished products. The facility is located on advantageous grounds, near the Bernhardi Smelter and a railway line, which facilitated the transportation of both raw materials and finished goods. One of the most notable architectural features of the rolling mill is its large hall, measuring 91 meters in length and 20 meters in width, constructed of brick with a gable roof and an ornately decorated façade. Over the years, the rolling mill underwent modernizations; in 1916–1917, a new administrative and social building was added, and in the 1970s, a modernization was planned but ultimately never carried out. As a result, many historic machines and equipment from the early 20th century have been preserved to this day, making the rolling mill an exceptionally valuable technical heritage site. Zinc production ceased in 2002, and in 2015, after renovations, the Zinc Metallurgy Museum was opened on the premises. The site has become a space where visitors can admire historic machinery as well as exhibitions of motorcycles and agricultural equipment. The rolling mill has participated in cultural events, including the Industria Festival, and since 2017 it has been part of the Silesian Voivodeship Technical Monuments Trail. Despite challenges in realizing the vision of a metallurgy museum, the site continues to attract visitors, serving not only as a place for preserving industrial heritage but also as a venue for cultural events.