Discover Hindenburg: Mining History, Garden and Water Tower

Zabrze offers concrete cultural, botanical and underground attractions.

Mining history and underground attractions in Zabrze

The Muzeum Górnictwa Węglowego in Zabrze comprises the Kopalnia Guido and Sztolnia Królowa Luiza complexes. Its outdoor offering consists of more than 30 mining-related features at four locations. These include Wieża Ciśnień, Strefa Carnall, Park 12C and Park Techniki Wojskowej. Together, these places give an impression of the breadth of the museum’s outdoor offering.

The underground tourist routes in Europe’s largest complex extend for more than ten kilometres. Zabrze is also home to an underground boat route more than one kilometre long. It is the longest in Europe. This brings together different kinds of underground experiences: tourist routes and a boat trip.

The Zabrze Water Tower houses the interactive exhibition CARBONEUM – centrum wiedzy o węglu and an observation point at the top of the tower. Check the tower’s current operating status before visiting.

Botanical Garden and Environmental Education

Within the wider travel destination of Hindenburg, the Miejski Ogród Botaniczny in Zabrze offers a distinct nature-focused attraction. Founded in June 1938, it is the oldest botanical garden in Upper Silesia. Its 6.4 hectares are home to collections of native and foreign trees and shrubs, herbaceous plants, and exotic plants in greenhouses. The garden thus brings together different areas of the plant world, from woody plants to greenhouse plants.

At the Municipal Botanical Garden, the Environmental Education Centre offers outdoor classes on nature and environmental topics. The programme is aimed at children, including preschoolers, young people and adults. Alongside its plant collections, environmental education is another distinct focus of the garden.

More perspectives on the wider travel destination of Hindenburg

Kopalnia Guido was founded in the 1850s and named after its owner, industrial magnate Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck. Sztolnia Królowa Luiza comprises historic facilities of the former Kopalnia Królowa Luiza and Główna Kluczowa Sztolnia Dziedziczna, which have been adapted for tourism and educational purposes. This history adds the sites’ origins and subsequent use to the story of the mining facilities.

Park 12C is a modern events and leisure facility created by the Muzeum Górnictwa Węglowego in Zabrze. The events programme may change, so check the dates if you are planning to attend an event. The Muzeum Miejskie w Zabrzu regularly organises Noc Muzeów, Europejskie Dni Dziedzictwa and Konferencja Muzeum Miejskiego w Zabrzu. Check the dates for these events before your trip, too.

For cyclists, the Zabrzański Szlak Rowerowy is a specific option: a 57-kilometre, blue-marked cycling loop around the city. Its length can help you decide whether the route fits your plans. Check the route signage and conditions before setting off.

At cooking workshops run by Szyb Maciej, children learn to make authentic Italian pizza. If you plan to take part, check the booking details in advance, as they may change. The Jewish cemetery in Zabrze is the only material evidence of the local Jewish community and offers a distinct cultural perspective alongside mining, nature and events.

For the wider travel overview: Hindenburg.