Since its beginnings in 1865, the history of the industrial city of Katowice was inextricably linked to the presence of Jews. At that time, the Jewish community gained great importance, both in the economic and in social life. In 1868, the young Jewish community founded its cemetery at Kozielska Street. There are 1,500 graves preserved to this day, among them the beautiful tombs of the distinguished Jewish families of the Gruenfeldsów, Goldsteins, Panofskys, and many others.
