Museums

Colourful Ponds of Pasieki

The Colourful Ponds of Pasieki, also known as the flooded Bibiela mine, lie in woodland in the municipality of Miasteczko Śląskie. This is a small, quiet attraction for visitors interested in mining heritage and places away from the main tourist routes. Several ponds formed in flooded iron-ore workings, and their shades depend on water chemistry, light and the season.

The Bibiela mine

The mine opened in 1889. Extraction used several shafts, and the ore was carried by narrow-gauge railway towards Miasteczko Śląskie. On 17 June 1917, a sudden inflow of water flooded the workings. The miners escaped, but attempts to drain the mine failed and the operation closed. Shaft and infrastructure remains now form part of a wooded post-industrial landscape.

Nature and water colour

The best-known feature is a group of small ponds with greenish, rusty or brown tones. Do not treat them as bathing places: colourful water and former workings do not mean that the banks are safe. The Pasieki Nature and Landscape Complex protects the woodland, aquatic communities and amphibian habitats. Keep quiet, stay on paths and avoid damaging plants.

Practical information

You can reach the ponds on foot or by bicycle, including via the yellow Leśno Rajza cycling route from Szyndros Street. Beyond the forest car park, visitor infrastructure is limited. Entry is free. Allow time for a calm walk, wear sturdy shoes and carry water; paths may be slippery after rain. Do not confuse Pasieki with the larger Colourful Lakes in the Rudawy Janowickie.