A former coal mine from 1792 in Rybnik-Niewiadom, opened to visitors in 1999: steam engines, a 46-metre viewing tower, exhibitions and a science centre.
The “Ignacy” Historic Mine in the Niewiadom district of Rybnik is a former coal mine that was opened to visitors in 1999. There are two steam engines here, a water tower with a viewing terrace and a science centre for children, and the complex of buildings is entered in the heritage register.
The mine was founded in 1792 on the initiative of the Prussian minister Karl Georg von Hoym. In 1834 it was bought by Councillor Cuno of Racibórz, in 1871 the “Laura” mine was added, and in 1890 most of the shares were acquired by Prince Hugo of Hohenlohe-Oehringen. The name changed: until 1871 the name “Hoym” applied, then “Hoym-Laura”, and from 4 September 1936 “Ignacy”, in honour of President Ignacy Mościcki. In 1945 the plant was transferred to the Rybnik Coal Industry Association, and on 1 January 1968 it was incorporated into the “Rydułtowy” mine. The “Ignacy-Hoym” complex of buildings was entered in the heritage register under the number A/165/05 of 30 December 2005. In the area, about 2.6 km away, lies also the Marcel mine.
Most important are the two winding engines: the first, from 1900, served the Głowacki shaft, the second, from 1920, the Kościuszko shaft. The mine's website says that the engine house of the Głowacki shaft holds one of the longest-working winding engines in the world, as it worked for 108 years. The engine of the Kościuszko shaft is started in special demonstrations, usually on Sunday afternoons, and the dates must be checked on the mine's website.
The water tower is 46 metres high, and 222 steps lead to its top. From the terrace stretches a 360-degree panorama in which, in good visibility, the Sudetes and the Tatras can be seen. The tower is not accessible to people with limited mobility.
In the administration building there is an exhibition on mining, and the “Age of Steam” display tells about the industrial revolution and steam engines in an interactive way. SOWA is a small science centre created in cooperation with the Copernicus Science Centre. The grounds also include over a hectare of greenery with a playground.
One can visit independently (about 1.5-2 hours), with a guide (about 3 hours) or in a dramatised form with the participation of the characters of Skarbnik (the spirit of the mine) or Ślepr. It is not possible to go underground, because the shafts were filled in for safety reasons. In 2004 the mine was recognised as the best tourist product of the year in the Silesian Voivodeship, and in 2006 it was entered on the Industrial Monuments Route of the Silesian Voivodeship. The mine's website also mentions the European Europa Nostra award for the protection of industrial heritage.
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