The Królowa Luiza mine first opened for business in 1791 a year after Salomon Izaak first discovered coal below the ground. Ranked as one of the oldest mines in the region, visitors to Zabrze will unfortunately be limited to staying above ground at the moment due to improvements being made to the underground safety system. Your visit will start off on ground level where you’ll find chunky pieces of machinery, pistons, dials, pipes, photo displays, buildings and other industrial detritus clustered around the old ‘Karnell’ shaft. Pride of place goes to a steam-powered hoist that made its debut in 1915 to a design born in Duelmen, Germany. Such was the precision and quality of the workmanship it continued to be used up until 1990. Every bit as impressive is the 30 metre hoist next to it; open to visitors the views at the top allow for sweeping panoramas of the city. It makes for intriguing exploration with other points of interest including machinery salvaged from now-defunct mines, as well as a monument honouring miners from 1850, and a collection of vintage cars and motorcycles.

Admission 5/3zł, groups over 10 people 4zł per person. Tower 2zł.