The Kosmos Cinema at 66 Sokolsk Street in Katowice ranks among the most important and best-known examples of post-war cinema architecture in Silesia. The building was constructed in the 1960s, during the major redevelopment of the city centre, and at the start of the 21st century its modernist façade was replaced by the postmodernist style that was in vogue at the time. Today, the Kosmos bears no resemblance to its former self. It is now home to the Centre for Film Art – Kosmos Cinema.
Kosmos Cinema in Katowice – the beginnings
The cinema’s design was created in 1956 at Katowice’s ‘Miastoprojekt’. Its architects were Stanisław Kwaśniewicz, Marian Skałkowski and Jurand Jarecki. Construction took place between 1959 and 1965, during a period of rapid urban development and a fascination with space travel. The architects proposed a building that reflected Katowice’s cultural aspirations, drawing on the language of late modernism and an aesthetic now described as ‘space age’. Even at the time of its opening, the cinema was regarded as one of the most advanced projects of its kind in the country.
Modernism at its best
Facing Sokolskaya Street, an almost entirely glazed façade emerged, set against contrasting, more solid side walls. After dark, the façade transformed into an illuminated panel through which the movement of visitors and the interior of the foyer could be seen. Around 14 tonnes of aluminium were used to construct the curtain wall and joinery, which was a significant technological achievement for buildings of the 1960s. The building’s light, luminous composition echoed the prevailing aesthetic of the time in Europe, dominated by visions of the future and the exploration of the as-yet-unexplored cosmos. This was the period of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, which began, among other things, with the launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite and ended with the Apollo 11 mission landing on the Moon.
Interiors: elegance and cinematic drama
The layout of Kosmos’s interiors was designed with a clear progression of atmosphere. On the first floor was a spacious hall leading to the auditorium. The walls were finished with light ash panelling, and the columns were clad in chrome-plated metal. This brought a sheen of modernity and elegance to the building. The character of the entire composition by “Miastoprojekt” was complemented by patterned balustrades featuring, among other things, schematic figures, decorative chandeliers with star-shaped designs, and a large-format mosaic on one of the main walls. The colourful work by Franciszek Pucher and Klaudiusz Jędrusik depicted the figure of Pan Twardowski riding a rooster – a reference to the Polish legend of a nobleman who sold his soul to the devil and ultimately ended up on the Moon. It is also a direct reference to the cinema’s ‘cosmic’ name and the era in which it was built.
The Kosmos Cinema in Katowice and its significance
The heart of the building was an auditorium seating around 600–650 people, one of the largest in the region. It was fitted with a panoramic screen, later replaced by a semi-circular one, and modern projection equipment. In 1969, the acoustics were upgraded using prismatic aluminium, which improved sound quality. For many years, the cinema served as a venue for premieres, showcasing the most significant film productions. The grand opening in 1965 was marked by a screening of the film “The First Day of Freedom”, directed by Aleksander Ford.
Postmodernism undermines modernism
A decline in attendance in the 1980s and 1990s, mainly linked to the rise of television and VHS, led to a fall in box office revenue and, consequently, a deterioration in the building’s technical condition. Consequently, at the start of the 21st century, a decision was made to undertake a major refurbishment. Between 2002 and 2004, the modernist façades and interiors were replaced by the then-popular postmodern style, designed by Jacek Machnikowski. The Kosmos building lost, among other things, the transparency of its glass façade, whilst the interior was largely redesigned. The single large auditorium was replaced by two smaller ones: Nostromo, with 367 seats, and Solaris, with 46 seats equipped with lecterns. A new foyer, a café and a space for the Silesian Film Archive were also added. Fortunately, the mosaic depicting Mr Twardowski on a rooster was preserved.
The Kosmos Cinema in Katowice after renovation
After reopening in 2006, the building operated as the Centre for Film Art, and in 2010 the name Kino Kosmos was restored. It was then that the neon sign was installed on the façade. Subsequent interior renovations in 2012 and 2019 focused on restoring some of the 1960s aesthetic and science-fiction motifs. Today, the cinema features modern projectors, a silver screen and educational facilities. Despite once again functioning efficiently as a cultural institution, the refurbishment carried out 20 years ago completely obscured the original concept of a light, transparent building with good proportions. The earlier composition was replaced by an abstract and visually heavy form. Some architectural researchers regard it as an example of the negative influence of turn-of-the-century aesthetics on icons of modernism.
Film Art Centre – Kosmos Cinema
The building currently operates under the name Film Art Centre – Kosmos Cinema and remains one of the leading centres of film culture in Katowice. The building houses a café and facilities related to film activities, including the Silesian Film Archive run by the ‘Silesia-Film’ Film Institution. The cinema runs a wide-ranging programme covering an artistic repertoire, classics, special screenings, film education and live broadcasts of events. Screenings are just one part of its activities, which have a comprehensive, curated profile and change in line with the daily programme.
Source: slazag.pl, kosmos.katowice.pl
Read also:Architecture in Poland | Modernism|Interesting facts|History | Postmodernism| Katowice
Kosmos in 1967 and 2025. Photo: Silesian Digital Library and Google Maps
The interior of Kosmos in the 1960s and in 2022. Photo: Jurand Jarecki/Institute of Architectural Documentation of the Silesian Library and Patryk Chromik/Google Maps
