Gliwice (German Gleiwitz), city in southern Poland, in Katowice Province, on the Klodnica River at the eastern end of the Gliwice Canal near Katowice. A river port, road and rail hub, and coal-mining center in the Silesia region, Gliwice has industries producing steel, machinery, chemicals, food products, cement, and bricks. Iron foundries were established in the 18th century. Gliwice is the site of the Silesia Technical University (1945) and several mining-research institutes. Chartered in 1276, the city has a rebuilt 13th-century church, a museum, and Chopin Park. Gliwice was called Gleiwitz when it belonged to Prussia and Germany (1742-1945). Population (1997 estimate) 212,800.
