Historic Silver Mine Tarnowskie Góry

The Historic Silver Mine in Tarnowskie Góry (say "tar-NOV-skyeh GOO-rih") is the only underground tourist route in Poland set inside former silver, lead and zinc mines. You descend about 40 m (130 ft) below ground, walk nearly 2 km of old galleries and cross a flooded tunnel by boat. Since 2017 the mine has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site – one of the most rewarding things to do in Upper Silesia and an easy trip from Katowice or Kraków.

Where it is and how to get there

Tarnowskie Góry is a historic mining town about 25 km (15 miles) north of Katowice, the capital of Poland's Silesian region. Katowice Airport (Pyrzowice) is only a short drive away, and Kraków is about 1.5 hours by highway. Trains run from Katowice to Tarnowskie Góry. The mine is at ul. Szczęść Boże 81 – a street named after the traditional miners' greeting, "God grant good luck."

A short history: silver, lead and water

Mining around Tarnowskie Góry dates back to the late 15th century. In the late 18th century the Prussian state opened the Fryderyk (Friedrich) mine, the largest in the area's history, which operated from 1784 to 1912. The miners' biggest enemy was groundwater: without an extensive system of drainage adits and pumps, mining would have been impossible. That water-management system, which later supplied drinking water to Silesian towns, is what gives the site its global importance.

A small part of the Fryderyk mine opened to visitors in 1976. On July 9, 2017, the "Tarnowskie Góry Lead-Silver-Zinc Mine and its Underground Water Management System" became Poland's 15th UNESCO World Heritage Site. The listing also covers the Black Trout Adit and the Staszic water station.

Things to see underground

• A 1,740 m route about 40 m deep, laid out as a triangle linking three old shafts: Anioł (Angel), Żmija (Viper) and Szczęść Boże.
• A boat crossing of a flooded gallery close to 300 m long – the highlight of the tour.
• Timber- and steel-propped galleries, life-size scenes of miners at work, old tools and carts, and the story of how the water was pumped out.

Above ground, look for the headframe over the Anioł shaft, the free Steam Engine Open-Air Museum (open during mine hours), a short ride on the Silver Express mini train and the Elements Machine Hall, an eco-education center.

Tours to choose from

• "In the Kingdom of Silver" – the classic 2-hour guided underground expedition with the boat ride.
• "Rajza na grubie" – the same mine, guided in the Silesian dialect (Polish speakers will enjoy it most).
• Black Trout Adit (Sztolnia Czarnego Pstrąga) – a separate site about 1 hour long, almost entirely by boat, for ages 4+. It has its own meeting point and tickets.

Foreign-language guided tours (including English and German) are available by reservation, and a free audio-guide app works in English, German, Czech, Ukrainian and Polish Sign Language.

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

In October, mine tours start every hour on the hour from 9 am to 3 pm, daily; places are limited. The Black Trout Adit runs at noon on weekdays and at noon and 2 pm on weekends. Both are closed on November 1, December 24–26 and 31, and January 1. Prices in Polish złoty (PLN), standard/reduced:

• Silver Mine: 84/73 PLN; family (2+1) 219 PLN, (2+2) 292 PLN; children under 2 free;
• Black Trout Adit: 73/62 PLN;
• foreign-language tour: 115 PLN (mine), 105 PLN (adit), with reservation.

Reduced tickets apply to children and students up to 26, visitors with disabilities and seniors over 60. Book online through the mine's ticketing system.

Is it worth visiting? Tips

Yes – it is one of Poland's best underground attractions and suitable for families. It is a steady 10°C (50°F) below ground year-round, so bring a warm layer and flat shoes, and arrive 15 minutes before your slot (latecomers may lose their place). The Silver Mine route is accessible to visitors with disabilities, including limited mobility; the Black Trout Adit, with over 100 steps, is not. Contact: +48 32 285 49 96, rezerwacje@kopalniasrebra.pl.

Nearby

Stroll around Tarnowskie Góry's old Market Square, then add the Black Trout Adit in the green Repty area. Katowice, with the Silesian Museum in a former coal mine, is under half an hour away.