Heritage coal mine Ignacy, Historical coal mining complex in Rybnik, Poland.
Heritage coal mine Ignacy is an industrial complex featuring two steam-powered winding engines from 1900 and 1920 and a 46-meter-high water tower. The site also contains an interactive education center with over 20 physics exhibits developed in collaboration with the Kopernik Science Center from Warsaw.
The site was established in 1792 by the Prussian state as Hoymgrube and operated continuously for over two centuries extracting coal. It closed in 1995, ending a long period of uninterrupted mining activity.
The former power plant building now serves as a meeting place where retired miners gather to share their experiences and keep mining traditions alive. Visitors can speak with people who spent decades working underground.
When visiting, wear sturdy shoes as the terrain can be uneven and slippery in places. The paths through the site are well marked, but it is helpful to check ahead whether guided tours are available.
A steam engine built by Linke-Hofmann-Werke about 100 years ago still works and is demonstrated to visitors during tours. The machine runs regularly and shows how the original technology actually functioned.
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