Hindenburg

• The Muzeum Górnictwa Węglowego in Zabrze comprises the Kopalnia Guido and Sztolnia Królowa Luiza complexes.
• The museum’s open-air offering includes more than 30 mining-related objects at four locations in Zabrze.
• The Municipal Botanical Garden in Zabrze covers 6.4 hectares and displays native and exotic plants.
• The underground tourist routes of Europe’s largest complex stretch for more than ten kilometres. Zabrze also has an underground boat route more than one kilometre long.

The Muzeum Górnictwa Węglowego comprises Kopalnia Guido and Sztolnia Królowa Luiza. Its open-air offering is spread across four locations in Zabrze and includes more than 30 mining-related objects. The sites named include Wieża Ciśnień, Strefa Carnall, Park 12C and Park Techniki Wojskowej. The museum’s mining theme thus encompasses both underground routes and various outdoor locations.

The underground tourist routes of Europe’s largest complex stretch for more than ten kilometres. Another underground experience in Zabrze is a boat route more than one kilometre long. The water tower in Zabrze houses the interactive exhibition “CARBONEUM – centrum wiedzy o węglu” and a viewing point at the top of the tower. Check the tower’s current operating arrangements before visiting.

The 6.4-hectare Municipal Botanical Garden in Zabrze is home to native and exotic trees and shrubs, herbaceous plants, and exotic plants in greenhouses. Its various collections therefore include woody plants, herbaceous plants and greenhouse plants.

At the Municipal Botanical Garden, the Centre for Environmental Education offers outdoor classes on nature and environmental topics. The programme is for children, including preschoolers, as well as young people and adults. Visiting the garden and taking part in environmental education are two different ways to explore plants and nature-related topics.

In the wider travel destination of Hindenburg, mining history dates back to the founding of Kopalnia Guido in the 1850s. The mine was named after its owner, the industrial magnate Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck. Sztolnia Królowa Luiza consists of historic facilities from the former Kopalnia Królowa Luiza and Główna Kluczowa Sztolnia Dziedziczna; these have been adapted for tourism and education.

The Botanical Garden also has a long history: Miejski Ogród Botaniczny was founded in June 1938 and is the oldest botanical garden in Upper Silesia. The Muzeum Miejskie w Zabrzu regularly holds Noc Muzeów, Europejskie Dni Dziedzictwa and Konferencja Muzeum Miejskiego w Zabrzu. Check the dates of these events before your trip.

Another outdoor and leisure option is Park 12C, a modern event and leisure complex created by the Muzeum Górnictwa Węglowego in Zabrze; its programme may change. At cooking workshops by Szyb Maciej, children learn to make authentic Italian pizza. Check the relevant booking details before making plans. For cyclists, the Zabrzański Szlak Rowerowy is a blue-marked, 57-kilometre cycling loop around the city; check the signage and route conditions before setting out.

The Jewish cemetery in Zabrze is the only material evidence of the local Jewish community. It adds a distinct aspect of local cultural heritage to the historical themes.

How long are the underground experiences?

The underground tourist routes of Europe’s largest complex stretch for more than ten kilometres. The underground boat route in Zabrze is more than one kilometre long.

What nature and environmental activities are available?

The Botanical Garden covers 6.4 hectares and has various collections of trees, shrubs and plants, including exotic plants in greenhouses. The Centre for Environmental Education offers outdoor classes there for children, young people and adults.

What should you check before your visit?

Check the water tower’s current operating arrangements, the dates of recurring events and the booking details for cooking workshops. Before cycling the Zabrzański Szlak Rowerowy, also check the signage and route conditions.

For the wider travel overview: Hindenburg.