Sztygarka City Museum in Dąbrowa Górnicza

The Sztygarka City Museum in Dąbrowa Górnicza tells the story of the Dąbrowa Basin: its industry, the life of miners and farmers, geology and travel. It also has an underground route, the Training Mine (Kopalnia Ćwiczebna), which belongs to the Industrial Monuments Route of the Silesian Voivodeship. It is housed in a building from 1839-1842, at ul. Legionów Polskich 69.

Why "Sztygarka"

The building was erected as the seat of the Bank of Poland and the Administration of the Western Mining District, and the design is attributed to Franciszek Maria Lanci. From 1889 a mining school was housed here, which gave rise to the popular name "Sztygarka" (the foremen's school).

The city's museum tradition goes back to the Geological Museum of the Polish Sightseeing Society named after Zygmunt Gloger, opened in April 1910. The present city museum was established by a resolution of the City Council on 19 November 1997.

Permanent exhibitions

The exhibition "History Written in Coal and Silver" presents the history of the metallurgical and mining industry of Dąbrowa Górnicza in the 19th and 20th centuries, with reconstructions of old techniques and archaeological finds. The exhibition on everyday life describes how miners and farmers lived in the Basin Land.

The Hall of 7 Continents is a travel exhibition with items from various parts of the world and souvenirs of Polish travellers. There are also a geological exhibition on the formation of coal deposits and a biographical exhibition on Adam Piwowar, a graduate of "Sztygarka".

The Training Mine

The Training Mine is an underground route for visitors, set up in the former training facilities of the mining school. Its construction began in April 1927, and the first stage was finished in 1929. Students trained here until 1994.

The mine has three levels and has been open to visitors since 2 January 2010. On the route one can see training stations in mechanics and electrics and ways of securing workings with supports. Since 26 October 2010 it has been on the Industrial Monuments Route.

The museum recommends warm clothing and closed shoes, and booking is required for visits. The mine is not accessible to wheelchair users.

Reduta Park and the Totalitarianisms Park

Beside the museum is the "Reduta" Military and Historical Park, opened on 22 June 2013 as an open-air display of military equipment. The museum also runs the "Totalitarianisms Park" project, devoted among other things to the Second World War and the history of the region in the 20th century.

Nearby

From the museum it is a short walk to the synagogue in Dąbrowa Górnicza, and the history of the Basin is also told by the museum in Sosnowiec.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Legionów Polskich 69, 41-300 Dąbrowa Górnicza.
• Current opening hours are listed on the museum's website.
• Entries to the Training Mine for organised groups of at least five people follow a separate schedule.