Kolonia Alfred, Mining workers settlement in Katowice, Poland.
Kolonia Alfred is a mining workers settlement in Katowice consisting of single-story residential buildings in historicist style, along with a shaft building and hoisting machinery structure. These buildings form a cohesive group that reflects the infrastructure of an active mining operation.
The settlement arose in the mid-1800s to house workers of the Alfred Mine, which started operating in 1834. In 1859, this mine merged with the Hohenlohe Mine, leading to a reorganization of the operation.
The name Alfred comes from John Baildon's son, who worked with the Hohenlohe-Öhringen princes to develop the mining operation. The settlement reflects the close bond between workers and the enterprise that shaped their daily lives.
The site is best explored on foot, allowing visitors to view the individual buildings and how they are arranged. A foundation has been restoring parts of the complex since 2015, which may affect access to certain areas.
Former mining facilities like the shaft building, forge, boiler room, and administration building were transformed into residences, shaping how the site looks today. This conversion demonstrates how industrial structures can be given new purpose.
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