Zabrze is a city belonging to the Upper Silesian Industrial District. Its main attractions are post-industrial monuments, among which there are mines and workers' colonies open to the public.
Until the 18th century, Zabrze developed as a village, the inhabitants of which were mostly farmers and simple rural crafts. Only the discovery of easily accessible hard coal deposits revolutionized the life of the inhabitants. Throughout the 19th century, the city developed dynamically thanks to the construction of subsequent mines and the surrounding industrial plants.
Currently, there are two hard coal mines in Zabrze, while some of the closed, historic plants are open to tourists and are located on the Industrial Monuments Route. The greatest tourist attractions of Zabrze are the historic Guido Mine and the Queen Louise Adit. There, you can learn about the history of hard coal mining in Zabrze and learn about the old mining machines and the work of miners. You can also visit the Maciej Shaft with an exhibition devoted to mining in the 20th century.
In addition to the historic mines in Zabrze, there are several workers' colonies with preserved buildings and urban layout, as well as neo-Gothic and modernist public buildings, including the Church of St. Joseph.
When looking for information about the history and culture of Zabrze and the surrounding area, it is best to visit the City Museum. On the other hand, the Coal Mining Museum has a large collection devoted to the work of miners and the industrial traditions of Silesia.
