Silesia is historically the center of Poland's hard industry and there are certainly many rich traditions and hearty, homemade meals that were born out of this old way of life. Katowice is the bustling city capital of the region, offering visitors plenty of attractions to explore! The heart of an agglomeration over 2-million people it was once identified as a booming center of heavy industry and it is still recognized for its numerous mines, old ironworks and factories. It's cuisine both present and past, is inseparable from the industrial landscape of the area. The everyday work life of the locals gave birth to a warm and hearty menu, full of filling dishes, rich in flavor. The region, unlike many others in Poland, fiercely defends its local culinary heritage as recipes are passed on from generation to generation carefully preserved in their original form. In this episode, Aleksandra will dive deep into the region's industrial past with a visit to the Guido Mine in Zabrze (an old coal mine located nearly 1,000 feet beneath the surface of the earth!), a tour through the city center of Katowice, a visit to the old workers' neighborhood, Nikiszowiec (the birthplace of the region's cuisine!), and finish off with a meal at a couple of Katowice's modern restaurants which proudly uphold the region's old traditions.