Radzionków Coal Mine

The Radzionków mine operated from the 1870s until the end of 1995. Today what remains of the plant is a small place commemorating mining: a mini open-air museum with machinery and wagons, and a chapel of St Barbara.

Beginnings and development of the mine

Construction was initiated by Hugo I Henckel von Donnersmarck. The first shaft, Laura, began to be sunk on 14 August 1871, and the second, Hugo, was completed in 1879. After the Second World War the shafts Wit Stwosz, Piotr (1967) and VI (1969) were added. Record output reached 983 thousand tonnes in 1944, and after the investments of 1954-1970 the mine achieved 1,538 thousand tonnes in 1970.

Merger and closure

At the start of 1975 the mine was merged with Bytom into the Powstańców Śląskich Coal Mine. Extraction in Radzionków ended on 31 December 1995.

What can be seen today

In 2001 a mining open-air display was opened, with equipment and wagons for transporting coal. A chapel of St Barbara, patron of miners, was set up in the former transformer station. A fuel terminal also operates on the site.

Practical information

• Town: Radzionków. Check the exact address and the rules on entry to the open-air display with the town office before your visit.
• In Radzionków you will also find the Bread Museum in Radzionków.