Zabytkowa Kopalnia Ignacy w Rybniku
Zabytkowa Kopalnia Ignacy is a former coal mine in Rybnik now open as a museum site with visitor areas. The grounds include shaft buildings, steam-powered machinery displays, a 46-meter observation tower, the SOWA science center with interactive exhibits, and an outdoor recreation area with playground and viewing platform.
Mining in this area began in 1792, with major shafts like Kościuszko and Głowacki developed during the 19th century as production grew with railways and steam engines. The mine was nationalized in 1922 and renamed after President Ignacy Mościcki in 1936, operating until 1995 when coal extraction ended.
The mine bears the name of President Ignacy Mościcki, reflecting its connection to the region's mining heritage when renamed in 1936. Visitors today experience how this place has become a symbol of Upper Silesian working culture and workers' lives, kept alive through preserved buildings and equipment.
The site is accessible for visitors of all ages, with ramps, elevators, and adapted restrooms for people with disabilities. Plan to spend several hours exploring the shaft buildings, machinery displays, and observation tower, with children especially enjoying the SOWA science center and play areas.
The steam engine at Kościuszko shaft is still operated on weekends, showing visitors how 19th-century machinery actually worked in practice. This working demonstration connects history and engineering in a way rarely experienced at other sites.
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