Seven blocks like a constellation. This place in Poland is intriguing

The “Gwiazdy” housing estate, or rather the Roździeńskiego housing estate, in Katowice is a complex of 7 residential skyscrapers, considered iconic today. What is intriguing is that the buildings are arranged in such a way that they resemble the Big Dipper, and their base is an eight-pointed star. Some treat references to the constellation as a joke, others are absolutely convinced that the construction in this way was well planned.

Blocks of flats in Katowice like a constellation

The information about blocks arranged in the shape of a constellation sounds like something that could have been created in the USA or for an amusement park, but it turns out that you don’t have to look far for such things. All this thanks to the design of Aleksander Frant, one of the architects of the “Gwiazda” housing estate. The skyscrapers were built on huge, 30-meter-high piles driven into the solid rock in an area that was questionable as to whether it was suitable for such development. It turns out that the project made sense, and the blocks are still standing and intriguing to this day.

The constellation is supposed to be visible when you look at the estate from a bird’s eye view – at least that’s what many people think. The creator of the project never officially confirmed that this was true, and when asked about this fact, he preferred to remain silent and smile. Who knows, maybe all this was done to keep the matter a secret forever and to cause some kind of sensation.

Doubts may be dispelled by the opinion of the architect’s grandson. According to Dziennik Zachodni.pl, he revealed: “It’s too beautiful a coincidence to be just a coincidence.”

The estate is important to its residents

There are many indications that the “Gwiazdy” housing estate means a lot to the inhabitants of Katowice, and those who believe that the blocks represent a specific constellation are trying to protect the current form of the housing estate. Opposition voices appeared in 2025, when information appeared that a new, eighth skyscraper would be built in the city, complementing the layout of the estate.

Internet users asked about this idea in a Facebook post of the architectural magazine whiteMAD did not hide their skepticism. “But why? The stars were a whole, and this one will stick out.” – you could read. Others pointed out that it would destroy the urban layout and the current climate, but there were also those who had nothing against it.

There are many indications that the investment may come to fruition, and the architect Franta’s grandson will be responsible for the work. It seems that if you want to see the famous estate in its current version, this may be your last chance.