"Witold" Shaft

The "Witold" Shaft stands on ul. Romualda Traugutta in Boguszów-Gorce, on the site of a former hard coal mine that operated from the second half of the 18th century. The shaft reached a depth of 586 metres, and extraction continued until 1993, when economic changes led to the closure of the Wałbrzych mines. The headframe buildings were listed on the heritage register, and after years standing idle were adapted for cultural and library use.

Memorial room and observation tower

In the former headframe building a memorial room has been set up with mining equipment, photographs and miners' uniforms, recalling the extraction once carried out on this spot. The characteristic shaft tower, 34 metres high, now functions as an observation tower after conversion. It is reached by 117 narrow steps, and from the top you can see the surrounding hills of the Wałbrzych Mountains, including the nearby Mniszek.

Library and cultural centre

The building houses branch number 4 of the Municipal Public Library - Cultural Centre in Boguszów-Gorce. The conference hall holds up to 120 people and hosts concerts, exhibition openings and educational meetings, including activities for children about the mining history of the site.

Nearby

The "Witold" Shaft lies in the Wałbrzych Mountains, near other post-industrial and natural attractions of the region. Within a few kilometres is the Stara Kopalnia Science and Art Centre, devoted to a similar mining past of Wałbrzych, and the summit of Chełmiec with its own viewpoint. Further on, towards Krzeszów, stands the Cistercian Abbey in Krzeszów.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Romualda Traugutta 12G, Boguszów-Gorce.
• It is worth checking the visiting hours of the tower and memorial room before visiting, on the website of the "Witold" cultural and conference centre.
• The building combines the functions of an observation tower, a mining memorial room and a public library with an events hall.