A 600-metre boat ride underground takes you through the Sztolnia Czarnego Pstrąga in Tarnowitz. The site is inscribed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Zabytkowa Kopalnia Srebra also offers an underground visitor route with a boat ride and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, the mining heritage is not just a historical backdrop, but also a path into the underground.
Underground mining and former mining sites
Shaft No. 13 (Ewa) is the entrance to the underground visitor route at the Sztolnia Czarnego Pstrąga. This gives the route’s name and course a concrete starting point. The Miejski Park in Tarnowskie Góry offers a different perspective on the history of mining. It is considered the best-preserved, largest, and most diverse of the parks created on former mining sites. While the visitor route leads underground, here you can see how former mining sites have been transformed into parkland.
This creates a clear contrast for your explorations: underground, the visitor route and boat ride take centre stage, while the park draws your attention to a landscaped setting. Both experiences are connected to mining, so you do not have to choose just one type of experience.
Architecture, urban history, and technology
At the Sedlaczek Inn building, you can see an important example of historic secular architecture. It is considered the best-preserved example of this architecture in the town; its features include Renaissance ceilings, portals, and vaults. The Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul offers a different perspective: its tower dates from the 16th century and is almost 60 metres high. Inside, tomb slabs, a stained-glass group, and several fine paintings have been preserved.
The Muzeum w Tarnowskich Górach displays mementos of the town’s history as well as a collection of early modern Western European paintings. Those with a greater interest in technological developments will find a dedicated focus at the Skansen Maszyn Parowych. The site covers about one hectare and combines an industrial landscape with remarkable technical inventions. The Dzwonnica Gwarków, which was moved to Plac Gwarków in 1955, adds to this picture. The buildings, collections, and technical artefacts offer different ways to explore the town’s history.
Routes, railways, and local traditions
An official railway and cycling route takes you through Tarnowskie Góry and Repecki Park on foot or by bicycle; it then follows the Drama towards Zbrosławice. Check the route conditions before setting off. The cycling network in Tarnowskie Góry includes more than 30 kilometres of cycle paths, shared foot and cycle paths, and cycle lanes on roads. There are also the Szlak Donnesmarcków, the Szlak Gwarków, and the Szlak UNESCO. A narrow-gauge railway also runs through Tarnowskie Góry.
Local traditions also take different forms: the Gwarki-Pochód is entered on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Festiwal Śląskie Smaki has been organised since 2006; its 18th edition took place on 2 June 2024 in the market square and featured regional dishes and culinary demonstrations. The range of experiences thus extends from technical heritage to routes and railways, processions, and cuisine.
More discoveries in Radzionków
Radzionków offers its own thematic focus. The Muzeum Chleba, Szkoły i Ciekawostek has several thousand exhibits on the baking trade, the history of bread, and production technology. The Droga Św. Jakuba “Via Regia” also runs through Radzionków. It leads to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela and is intended for individual pilgrims or small groups, regardless of denomination or nationality. This pilgrimage theme complements the mining, technology, and cultural histories that shape Tarnowitz.
Discover more destinations: Tarnowskie Góry, Radzionków, Kalety, Wieszowa, Pyrzowice, Miasteczko Śląskie, Nowe Chechło, Ziętek, Boniowice, Świerklaniec, Nowa Wieś Tworoska, Tąpkowice, Krupski Młyn, Księży Las, Szałsza.
For the broader travel overview: Silesia.
