Balaton

Balaton is a reservoir in the Porąbka district of Sosnowiec, which for years served as a recreation and leisure centre. It formed on the site of clay extraction, and today it is above all a place for seasonal relaxation by the water.

Where the reservoir came from

The reservoir was dug out during the extraction of clay for the brickworks of the "Kazimierz-Juliusz" coal mine. It covers about 9.7 ha, holds more than 116 thousand cubic metres and has an average depth of 1.2 m. The water is fed by groundwater seepage, precipitation and surface run-off.

The leisure centre

It became a place of recreation thanks to the efforts of the "Klimontów" mine, later the "Czerwone Zagłębie" mine. In the 1970s the mine set up a recreation centre here. The source states that in summer the reservoir is a popular destination for residents of the city, while the site itself is devastated and awaits revitalisation.

Practical information

• Location: Sosnowiec, Porąbka district.
• This is not a developed complex with facilities, so check the rules for using the site and for swimming with the city office before your visit.
• It is busiest here in summer.