Nowa Ruda lies between the Sowie Mountains and the Wlodzickie Hills in the Central Sudeten range (4km from the Czech Republic border). Coal mining started here over 500 years ago. The mines which exploited the local deposits were amongst the oldest in Poland. After 1989 all the mines had been closed down as they were no longer feasible with unworkable conditions. After years of former glory all that remains is an interesting mining museum in one of the old mines.

In the museum building, spread over four rooms are exhibits collected from all aspects of underground mining. They include examples of machinery and safety equipment along with a range of blasting and escape apparatus. Here you can also become acquainted with various methods of mining supports.

Also available to the public is access to the original control room. It was the centre of operation of the mine. Overground, in the mining complex, visitors can see blast furnaces, unique in the world, and mine shaft towers. This mine, preserved in excellent condition, is an example of a 19th century industrial mining facility. The 700m long underground tourist trail is of special interest.

Museum of Mining in Nowa Ruda (woj. Dolnoslaskie)

www.kopalnia-muzeum.pl