Tarnowskie Góry. Underground labyrinths of tarnowskie góry Tarnowskie góry
Silesia is a world famous industrial region, where mining has been going on since the early Middle Ages. Over the centuries, a large number of adits have formed in the region, which are striking in their beauty. One of them is located in the town of Tarnowskie Góry. By the way, the word "gury" itself is translated from the Old Polish language as "mines".
Story settlement closely related to the mining of lead, zinc and silver. As legend has it, the first piece of silver was discovered by a certain peasant named Rybka in 1490. The news of the find quickly spread throughout Poland, and numerous settlers began to arrive in the area in the hope of getting rich. This is how Tarnowskie Góry was founded. Local mines have acquired a special importance in the European economy, and Polish silver found its way to the markets of many countries - Germany, France, England, Spain, Austria. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the volume of mining in Tarnowskie Góry has increased many times over.
Today, mining of precious metals has been stopped in the city, but local mines are still open to tourists. For 500 years, underground labyrinths - chambers, drifts and adits - have formed near Tarnowskie Góra. The premises are partially flooded, which gives them an additional flavor. Nevertheless, the mines are equipped with everything necessary for conducting excursions, so it will not be difficult for travelers to get even into the hard-to-reach corners of the labyrinth. You can swim across underground reservoirs on boats prepared in advance by the administration of the unique underground museum. You should pay attention to the adit of the "black trout" - this is a large underground river, in which there is even fish. The system of partially flooded caves attracts special attention of tourists, as such natural wonders are considered extremely rare. Excursions along the Black Trout Route are organized separately.
How did the miners cope with the high humidity? They built several drifts specially adapted to drain water from the mines. Over time, these engineering structures ceased to cope with the assigned tasks, and water began to accumulate in the underground vaults. Insufficient maintenance of communications has led to the formation of unique underground reservoirs.
Above the mines, there are museums for steam engines and the mining industry. There you can get acquainted with the peculiarities of mining in Silesia, as well as learn more about rocks and technologies for their processing. In museums, there is not only modern technology, but also devices used in the Middle Ages and Modern Times. The industrial revolution of the 18-19th centuries also left its mark on the history of Tarnowskie Góra. The city was located major center mining, so local businesses were equipped with the best steam engines. Guests of museums and mines have unique chance plunge into the atmosphere of antiquity. In addition, the museums have a unique collection of minerals and items related to the mining industry.
The underground complex in Tarnowskie Góry continues to live its own special life. The caves are overgrown with legends and tales, but retain their original alluring mystical image. There are several hotels, restaurants and a water park in the city not far from the dungeons. Tourists can get into local castle, that in the Rybna area.
The water park in Tarnowskie Gory is one of two similar ones in the Silesian Voivodeship (nearby in Dбbrowa there is another water park "Nemo - Water world"), it is the main attraction for sports and leisure lovers in the region. All year round it attracts no less tourists than the famous Black Stolnaya in the old mines in the Tarnowskie Mountains.
The water park has three swimming pools with a total area of 1159 sq. M, three waterslides, the longest of which is more than 100 meters, as well as many other entertainments - an artificial wave, a “wild river”, water jets gushing from the floor, water massage, and a salt pool. And, of course, there is everything that every self-respecting water park should have - sun loungers, jacuzzi, fitness center, massage rooms. In addition, there is a swimming school for everyone, gym, fitness center and salt cave. There is even a shopping arcade on the territory of the complex.
Address: Park Wodny w Tarnowskich Górach, Agencja Inicjatyw Gospodarczych S.A., ul. Obwodnica 8, 42-600 Tarnowskie Góry
Pools: 3 indoor
Optional: sauna, jacuzzi, 3 slides
Open all year round
When a harsh movement of the hand broke the calm depth of the underground river, a plaintive but short cry came from her throat. The pain of the broken water mirror sailed away in a wave, and the river was silent again. As the boat hit the shore, the creak of its old bones crashed into the silent walls of the cave and quickly disappeared. An immense darkness devoured every sound, every color. The darkness was crippled only by the modest twinkling of torches. Tarnowskie Gory hide in their dungeons a deathly silence, dead colors and, oddly enough, a rainbow.
What is this city hiding?
Tarnowskie Góry- enough Big city v . His strange name comes from the small village of Tarnovtsy and the word "gury", which in translation means both mountains and mountain mines. The history of Tarnowskie Gory dates back to the 15th century, when significant deposits of silver, zinc and lead were discovered in this area.
We go down the steep steps into the dungeon. A small boat is moored on the bank of an underground rivulet, in which several tourists are already seated. The guide silently stands near the boat, reminding with his detached appearance of the mythical Charon. We are preparing for the excursion in complete silence. Only fifteen meters underground - and all this noisy city life seems so distant and funny. Ahead - an underground, unexplored world.
Ahead is the unexplored underworld.
The Czarnego Pstrong (Black Trout) Mine is one of the most famous sights of Tarnowskie Góra. It became available to visitors back in 1957. The route is sailing by boat from the Sylvester mine (30 meters deep) to the Eva mine (20 meters), or vice versa. During the excursion, you can admire the stalactites and original sections of the old underground path carved into the dolomite strata. The route takes about one hour and is accompanied by a guide who tells legends and facts about lead mining in Gurah Tarnowski. This underground boat route is in fact the longest in Poland.
The longest underground boat route in Poland.
We sail under the Brahma of the Lazy (Gate of the Lazy). So that the curse of eternal laziness does not fall on us, we knock three times with our knuckles on the arches of the tunnel. In the underworld, in spite of the pitch darkness, life is in full swing. Here, right at the side of the boat, a flock of trout swam. In the dim light of torches, fish appear black. Hence the name of the mine - Charny Pstrong. A bat flies overhead, frightened by the glow of torches. These amazing mammals fearlessly fly straight at their uninvited guests and only at the last moment before a seemingly head-on collision do they manage to turn sharply to the side. Feeling a sudden gust of breeze on your face, it is difficult to say whether the attack of the bat was avoided, or whether it was the touch of something unknown living in this underground temple of silence and shadows.
The route is covered by boat in an hour.
The famous Black Trout Tunnel is not the only attraction of Tarnowskie Góra. After a fascinating tour of the dungeons, we get out to the surface, where the bright sun dazzles our eyes, already accustomed to darkness, with its rays. In front of us is the Repetsky Park.
Reserve "Park Repetsky"- a picturesque forest complex located between Repty and Stary Tarnovice. It was founded in the 19th century on the territory of the von Donnersmark family. Today, the park houses the Gornoslensky Rehabilitation Center named after General Zentek, a supporter of politics. In addition to traditional treatments, the resort offers its patients oxygenation of the body while walking through the beech forests.
Picturesque reserve.
The park is home to many plants listed in the Red Book and carefully protected. Here you can find rare herbal plants, flowers and, of course, lush relict trees. The Drama River flows through the park, the waters of which fill the reserve with a cheerful murmur.
Not far from Repetsky Park, in Stary Tarnowice (Tarnowy Gór district), there is a delightful small palace built in the second half of the 16th century on the site of the former residence of Włodków (an ancient aristocratic family). The palace has a pronounced Renaissance style and is a real decoration of the city.
The Vrochema Palace is the adornment of the Tarnowskie Gors.
The palace was built on the initiative of Peter Vrochem, whose reign became the "golden age" of the city of Tarnowskie Góra. Unfortunately, after World War II, the palace and the surrounding lands became the property of the local state farm. Tens of years of captivity in the hands of the "builders of communism", who wanted to equate everything with ugliness, chaos and poverty, did not pass without leaving a trace for the palace. Unofficially, he was sentenced to destruction. This continued until 2000, when he passed into private ownership. High-quality repairs, restoration and "upgrading" were carried out, which undoubtedly contributed to the restoration of the former glory of the "pearl" of the Tarnovsky Mountains.
Now the palace houses a luxurious restaurant.
Tarnowskie Góry is a charming town in every respect. Moreover, it is one of the oldest mining centers in Europe. In the heart of the Old Town Square stands the delightful town hall "born" in 1889.
Above Old square dark purple clouds are overhanging. The sun modestly breaks through the curtain. Suddenly, it starts raining. Huge drops, similar to sapphires, dance their mad mazurka against the background of old houses. With the last bars of this delightful dance, a shimmering rainbow beam appears in the sky.
Tarnowskie Góry is a stunning city.
The Tarnowskie Gory blossomed with all the colors of the rainbow, demonstrating its dazzling beauty. Such minutes remain forever in human memory. And, until the evening silks embroidered with billions of star beads have not descended to the Šlenská land, you need to hurry up and get to know this wonderful town better.
