It started with silver
Bytom, the history of which dates back to 11th century, was granted town privileges in 1254. The city located at a crossing point of trade routes was known as „silver Bytom” in Middle Ages. The legend has it that the children of local townsmen slept in cradles made of silver. The 20th century was marked in Bytom by „coal and steel” as the rapid development of heavy industry, initiated at the end of 19th century, contributed again to development and expansion of the city.
Landscape after restructuring
Restructuring of traditional areas of economy took place in the recent years in Bytom. Five coal mines and two steel works were closed down along with a number of associated entities. At present there is only one mine operating here, namely „Bobrek Centrum” Hard Coal Mine. Bytom is waiting for investors that would “fill the empty space” which was created after closure of a large number of heavy industry entities. The city authorities declare extensive help and comprehensive and friendly service for entities interested in investments within the commune.
At the crossroads
Bytom is a good place to locate your business. Bytom, as a city with good communications, large human potential and various land areas designated for investment purposes, seems to be a city with the future. Its assets include central location in the Upper Silesian Agglomeration, only 15 kilometres from the centre of Katowice, the capital of the Silesian voivodeship. Good connection is provided by important roads located near Bytom: A-4 motorway, the Cross-town Road running across the “heart” of Silesia and the, still under construction, A-1 motorway the interchange of which is planned to be constructed in Bytom. Katowice International Airport located at Pyrzowice is 23 km away from Bytom (approx. 30 minutes driving time). All that results in the fact that the city is still located at the crossroads of the major trade routes, as it used to be in the past glory days of the “silver” Bytom.
Well educated workforce
Around 65.0% of 184,328 inhabitants are in the working age. The number of well educated professionals will grow over the next few years as there are 7 higher education institutions in Bytom now with new ones planned to be opened. Silesian College of Economics and Administration, department of Medical University of Silesia, branch departments and campuses of the Silesian University of Technology and the Polish Japanese Institute of Information Technology are only a few entities located in Bytom which offer comprehensive education.
Culture and nature
Bytom is a place which has prestige and cultural institutions recognized beyond the region. Suffice it to mention the Silesian Dance Theatre, Silesian Opera, Museum of Upper Silesia. This is supplemented with sports, recreation and tourist offer which may be of interest for persons interested in monuments of post-industrial areas. Area of the commune is 69.44 km2 out of which as many as 21 per cent is forestland. “Segiet” beech reserve located within the medieval mining area, “Żabie Doły” landscape nature protected complex, “Dolomity – Sportowa Dolina” all-year-round skiing and sports complex are only some of the “green assets” of Bytom.
Conducive for investors
In order to improve investment attractiveness of Bytom the city authorities conduct a number of various actions. Industrial Park of Bytom was established which is a complex of four production and warehouse buildings of the usable area exceeding 10,000 m2 including necessary parking and administration facilities. The city of Bytom owns land plots of various size and purpose which can be used for e.g. construction of hotels, residential buildings, production and industrial facilities. It is planned to acquire further lands within the post-mining areas and make them available to investors.
Urząd Miejski w Bytomiu
Biuro Rozwoju Miasta
ul. Parkowa 2, 41-902 Bytom
tel. 032 283 62 26
fax. 032 283 62 27
e-mail:ad@um.bytom.pl
www.um.bytom.pl | 
