Zabrze’s Historic Coal Mine „Guido`

We had to divide all participants into three groups and the guide informed us about safety and maintaining underground. After that through the pit shaft we went down the to the levels of 170 and 320 meters. We had the opportunity to go the whole deepest tourists route in a coal mine in Europe. We saw the place where not only miners but also horses worked and the most deeply located post office in Europe. It was an amazing experience not only for students but also for teachers.

The unique in Europe, established in 1855, mine, which after the completion of exploitation served as a drainage point and an experimental mine. Through the pit shaft tourists go down to the levels of 170 and 320 meters. On the latter there is the deepest tourist route in a coal mine in Europe. Apart from visiting opportunities, the mine provides artistic sensations. Its flagship products include, among others, Muzyka na Poziomie (Music on the Level) and Teatr na Poziomie (Theatre on the Level) – periodically held artistic events benefiting from the exceptional atmosphere of the underground chambers. At the level 320 there is also the most deeply located post office.

Route chronicle

This historic mine has been in existence for 155 years. This is the place where not only miners but also horses worked. Animals lived for many years in specially arranged underground stables at the level of 170 and 320 m. The total length of all underground excavations, both vertical and horizontal, amounts to nearly 3000 meters. The name of the mine – “Guido” – derives from the great industrialist, millionaire and advisor of the king of Prussia, prince Guido Henkel von Donnersmarck. In the mine there is the most deeply located post office in Europe, and maybe even in the world. 87 years ago in “Guido” an exceptional miner worked for some time – cutter Abdul Achmed. As it was revealed later, he was the great-grand son of the Persian emperor who sent him to Silesia so that he could get to know the hardships of miners’ work. Mine superiors praised him for good work.