Historical Saturator Back on Katowice Streets

www.galeriakatowicka.eu

Press release August 20, 2015

HISTORICAL SATURATOR BACK ON KATOWICE STREETS

It’s 43 years old. It has been restored and is making a big comeback onto the streets of Katowice. It is one of just three saturators that are still in a working condition in Poland. The original saturator, which appears in a lot of archive pictures taken in the city, is now standing at Plac Szewczyka, next to Galeria Katowicka. Starting from today, the Upper-Silesian capital offers a chance to try slightly sparkling beverages based on old recipes.

Saturators’ key function is to carbonate water. These devices used to be extremely popular during the communist era. There were dozens of them in Katowice streets until the late 1980s. They used to stand next to Wyspiański Theater, at Korfantego Street, next to Spodek concert hall, at Plac Szewczyka and at 3 Maja Street, among others. Thanks to an idea that sprang into the mind of a saturator enthusiast, and efficient cooperation with Galeria Katowicka, one of just three Polish saturators which are still in working order is coming back to the city center.

“This device is part of our historical heritage, one that is intrinsically related to and associated with the times of communism. The once-popular saturators appear every now and then in people’s nostalgic thoughts. I studied Sociology and believe that it is important to keep historical items in a good condition for the current and future generations,” says Adam Grabowski who owns the saturator and has brought it back to life.

In the late 2013 / early 2014, he rebuilt an SW-2 street saturator that dates back to 1972 and was manufactured by DOMGOS metal processing plant in Ruda Śląska.

The restored device made its debut at last year’s Industriada (held at Guido mine), an annual event that promotes the Technical Landmarks Trail of the Silesian Province. This year the saturator showed up next to Queen Luiza Adit in Zabrze.

“Slightly sparkling water from saturators used to be sold on its own or with raspberry or lemon juice. I decided to reinstate lemonades based upon old recipes. They come in a variety of tastes – mint, raspberry, lime, grapefruit, watermelon-rhubarb, lavender and mojito mint,” says Adam Grabowski. “The money I earn by selling beverages is later spent on the renovation of other devices. There are three different models waiting to be restored; among them is the perfectly unique SP-4 item made in 1960,” he adds. www.galeriakatowicka.eu

The saturator aficionado want to restore as many devices as possible, which would allow showing their evolution and telling the story of water distribution technology development from the mid-1950s until the end of the 1980s. This project would be absolutely unique in Europe.

The saturator for which Galeria Katowicka made some space at Plac Szewczyka available will definitely become a hit with people spending time in downtown Katowice on warm summer days. Sparkling water is PLN 2; sparkling water with juice: PLN 2.5; lemonade: PLN 8. Special offers apply for Galeria Katowicka customers.

“I also pin big hopes on the cooperation with Silesian Museum. The saturator was used under the viewing tower. Both this and any other restored item will probably serve as an exhibit during the fall/winter season. The City Hall also likes my idea to turn renovated saturators into a tourist attraction. I’m really happy to see a chance for saturators to get a new life in Katowice,” comments Adam Grabowski.

Further information:

Marta Stach [email protected] +48 609 808 119 *** Galeria Katowicka, a unique retail and transport center, is located in the heart of Katowice. Its retail space of 53,000 m2 hosts over 250 units. Customers can leave their vehicles at an underground two-level car park with 1,200 parking spaces. Galeria Katowicka attracts over a million customers each month. It offers direct access to the railway station and the underground public bus terminal. The mall has a Multikino cinema with 10 screening rooms, incl. an ultra-modern “Xtreme” room equipped with Dolby Atmos sound system.

The project’s investors are Meyer Bergman, NEINVER Poland and PKP SA. Cushman & Wakefield is the sole agent responsible for leasing retail space in Galeria Katowicka.

The construction process of Galeria Katowicka, a mixed-use transport, retail and business complex, began in December 2010. The investment’s first stage covered the railway station that was completed in October 2012. February 2013 saw the opening of the underground bus terminal. Galeria Katowicka was opened on September 18, 2013.

Find out more at www.galeriakatowicka.eu.