Bartosz Shaft Complex at the Katowice-Kleofas Mine

The Bartosz shaft complex is the surviving part of the former “Katowice” mine in Bogucice, today next to the Culture Zone in Katowice. The historic complex consists of the shaft head with a winding tower, the engine house with its equipment, the power house and the compressor hall. The shaft was formerly called “Beniamin”.

From the Beniamin shaft to Bartosz

In 1881 a new production level was established at a depth of 300 m, reached by the “Beniamin” shaft. The shaft head with the tower was built in 1881-1883 and rebuilt in 1895-1900 and in 1905. It is an unrendered brick structure in historicist forms, with a steel lattice tower from 1900. The “Katowice” mine was merged with the “Kleofas” mine in 1996, and the last tonne of coal was extracted on 1 July 1999.

The engine house and power house

The engine house was built in 1893-1895, and inside it a steam winding engine from 1892 has survived. Connected to the shaft head are the power house and switchgear room from 1893-1895, extended in 1921-1928. In 1893 a new winding engine with a capacity of 200 t/h was installed in the shaft. The complex was entered in the heritage register in 1999.

In the Culture Zone

The site of the closed mine was transformed into the Culture Zone, home to, among others, the Silesian Museum in Katowice and the International Congress Centre. The buildings of the Bartosz shaft recall the industrial history of this place.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Kopalniana 6, Katowice-Bogucice.
• The rules for visiting the interiors of the engine house are not given in the available descriptions; the buildings can be seen from the Culture Zone.
• Before your visit, check the visiting offer at the Silesian Museum.