"Kosciuszko" Mine Water Supply Tower - Observation Deck

The historical mine "Ignacy" is an old coal mine in Rybnik, the above-ground part of which is open to visitors. The mine was built in 1792 on the initiative of the Prussian Minister of Silesia, Karl Georg von Hoym, and was founded by the Military Chamber of the Dominion from Wrocław. Initially, the mine belonged to the Foundry Board in Rybnik, and from 1810 - to the State Mining Board. The mine operated intermittently. In 1834, it was bought by the governor Cuno from Racibórz, who on March 25, 1835, connected the mine "Sylwester" to it (operated since 1832). After 1840, the coal basin "Birtultau" was connected to it, and from December 30, 1870 to September 11, 1871, the mine "Laura" was also connected. In 1890, the majority of this mine was bought by Duke Hugo zu Hohenlohe-Oehringen, and In 1914 it was taken over by the "Černice Coal Company". This mine was operated together with the "Carolus" mine. In 1940 it was taken over by the H. Goering concern, and since 1945 it has belonged to the Rybnik Coal Industry Association. On January 1, 1968, the mine was merged with the "Rydultowy" mine. Now it is a historical technical monument, which also includes an interactive educational center and popularizes the traditions of industrial culture of the Rybnik region. . All objects of the old mine have been completely renovated - buildings: the machine room of the "Glowacki" mine, the above-ground part of this mine, the compressor-above-ground part of the "Kosciuszko" mine and its machine room, and the water tower, which is adapted to the functions of an observation deck. The "Kosciuszko" mine building houses an interactive exhibition "The Age of Steam", dedicated to steam engines and their application in various types of technology. In 1915 a new 80 m high chimney was erected next to the boiler house, built in 1897. In 1926 a new boiler house began operating behind the "Grundmann" shaft (later renamed "Kosciuszko"), which caused the old one to be shut down after three years. During World War II warehouses were installed in the old boiler house, and its chimney was shortened to 40 m and it was planned to be converted into a water supply tower. Although the project was made during German rule, it was already implemented during the Polish rule. In 1953 a 300 cubic meter water tank was installed at the top of the tower. The water supply tower operated for its intended purpose until 1997. In 2006-2007 it was rebuilt, adapting it to the functions of an observation deck, and from January 1 2008 it was opened to visitors. The tower stands at an altitude of 299 m above sea level, its own height reaches 46 meters. The platform at the top of the tower allows You to view the surroundings 360 degrees. The picturesque Upper Odra region is visible, covering the lands of Rybnik, Wodzisław and Racibórz. In good weather, the Sudetes and Tatra mountain ranges are visible.

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