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Giszowiec, Katowice
Staw Janina lies in Katowice, on the edge of Giszowiec — a historic company housing estate built for coal miners. The pond formed on the Bolina stream as the ground subsided after hard coal mining: water flooded the lowered valley floor and created a body of water surrounded by forest. From the estate it is a walk of some fifteen minutes.
Swimming is not possible, so the pond mainly serves anglers and walkers. Forest paths, cycling routes and waymarked PTTK trails run around it, and the banks leave plenty of room for a family picnic. A local eatery operates by the water, which makes it easier to plan a longer stop.
Giszowiec itself is one of the more interesting districts of Katowice — a colony of low cottages from the early twentieth century, laid out on the garden city model, standing next to blocks of flats from the second half of the century. A walk to the pond is best combined with a tour of this architecture and the surrounding woods.
