Tarnowskie Gory

Santorini is essentially what remains after an enormous volcanic eruption that destroyed the earliest settlements on a formerly single island

Tarnowskie Góry (Tarnowskie Mountains) is a charming small town, located near the most important centers of the Silesian agglomeration. Its development was due to the discovery of mineral resources – zinc and lead ores extracted from underground by subsequent generations of miners. Nowadays, a mosaic of underground corridors runs under the city, marking a route where mining was once happening in parallel. In 2017, this part of the city was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Historic Silver Mine along with the Black Trout Adit is today the most popular attractions of the Tarnowskie Mountains.

Exploring the Area

The city center is a sixteenth-century Market Square, with the Town Hall called the pearl of Upper Silesia. The square is surrounded by picturesque tenement houses with original arcades – arcades with arched vaults, formerly determining the place of trade. A characteristic monument is the Evangelical church – reminiscent of the times when Protestants dominated the town, and a wooden town well – it was created from the former mining shaft, a symbol of the mining tradition of the Tarnowskie Góry. Near the center there is a beautiful castle with a restaurant and recreational areas. The city is surrounded by forests, and a few kilometers away there is the lake Nakło-Chechło – a place where you can actively relax, but also spend a lazy day on the beach. In the center of Tarnowskie Góry, there is a charming City Park – with an amphitheater and well-maintained paths, and the Rzepecki Park, located a few kilometers by the city, attracts with its forest wildness and naturalness. Most visitors come here for the Silver Mine – a unique monument on a European scale.

Eating and Drinking

Most of the cafes and restaurants in Tarnowskie Góry are located around the Town Square and along the promenade. When looking for traditional cuisine, it is worth visiting the inn – a place where we will try delicacies of the Silesian region – potato dumplings, roulades or żurek- sour rye soup. The interiors of this type of premises are also worth attention – most of them are furnished with old Polish custom with long wooden benches, wooden ceilings or elements of artistic blacksmithing. There are many small cafes in the city where you can stop for coffee and dessert.

What to See and Do

Tarnowskie Mountains are famous for their historic Silver Mine, included in the Industrial Monuments Route – the most interesting industrial tourism route in Poland. The trail extends throughout Silesia and indicates objects that are associated with the industrial heritage of the region. These are authentic examples of the mining, railway or steel traditions that shaped the unique character of Silesia. The Silver Mine was among the 4 most important monuments of this route, which underlines its status as one of the largest attractions in the Silesian province. The mine itself is only a fragment of the Tarnogórskie underground that extends below the city. Sightseeing takes place on foot, and a part of the route is overcome by sailing through the underground adit. At this time, the guide tells a colorful story about the history of mining, hard work in mining minerals and traditions of the region. A few years ago the route was enriched with sound effects, imitating real underground work – the sound of pickaxe hitting rocks, machine noise or blasting sounds. Thanks to this, the old history becomes the participation of visitors, and the disused mining shafts come alive with the sounds of everyday work.

Where to Stay

Visiting the Silver Mine, the Adit and the Museum located next to the mine takes a few hours in total. Thanks to this trip to Tarnowskie Góry is a perfect offer for a one-day trip from Krakow, which is well connected with Silesia. Alternatively, you can spend the night in one of several hotels that are located in the city.

How to Get Around

Tarnowskie Góry is located near the main centers of the Silesian agglomeration – Katowice, Gliwice and Bytom. The city has a railway and bus station, and the nearest airport is Katowice’s Pyrzowice – located about 20 km from Tarnowskie Góry. The trip from Krakow takes 1.5 hours by car – it is the fastest way to organize a one-day trip to the mine.

Highlights

Tarnowskie Góry is the perfect place for you if:

• you are interested in industrial monuments,
• you like to get to know the history of regions,
• you are interested in stories about the traditions and everyday life of previous generations,
• you want to learn more about the history of 19th-century industry.

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