Maciej Shaft in Zabrze

Maciej Shaft in Zabrze (say MAH-chyay, ZAH-bzheh) is a preserved early-20th-century mine site in Upper Silesia, Poland's historic coal-mining heartland, and a stop on the region's Industrial Monuments Route. A green steel headframe with a viewing deck, an electric winding engine, and a shaft that now supplies deep-well drinking water make it a compact, authentic introduction to mining heritage — with a good Silesian restaurant on site.

Where it is

The site is in Maciejów, the northern district of Zabrze, about 25 km (15 miles) west of Katowice and roughly 100 km from Kraków. Katowice Airport (Pyrzowice) is the nearest international airport. Free, monitored parking makes driving the easiest option; signage on site is mostly in Polish.

A bit of history

Mining here dates back to the early 1800s, when the Amalia and Concordia mines were founded. The shaft itself was begun in 1922 as "Westschacht," the tenth shaft of the Concordia colliery, used mainly for ventilation and drainage — at the time, after the post–World War I plebiscite and Silesian uprisings, this side of the border stayed German. After 1945 it served several Polish mines until coal extraction in the area ended in 1978. Slated for demolition in 1992, the complex was instead bought by the mining firm Demex, which turned the shaft into a deep-water intake and restored the buildings.

What you'll see

The guided tour lasts about 60–70 minutes and includes:

• early-20th-century mine buildings with original equipment,
• the double-drum electric winding engine and the machine-hall cellars,
• a descent to the shaft's water intake — you can taste the Triassic-layer water from dispensers on site,
• the viewing deck on the headframe, about 25 m (82 ft) up, overlooking Zabrze and Gliwice,
• a large 1914 steam winding engine and an outdoor exhibit on the Concordia mine.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026:

• Tours: Tuesday–Saturday at noon, 2 pm and 4 pm; no tours Sundays or Mondays.
• Booking: required at least one day ahead (phone +48 721 455 500, turystyka@szybmaciej.pl, or online). Arrive 10 minutes early.
• Tickets: PLN 20, reduced PLN 12.
• English-language tours are available as a paid add-on by arrangement (PLN 450 per tour), as is a demonstration run of the winding engine.

Good to know

Children are admitted from age 7, accompanied by an adult. Tours run in all weather, so bring a jacket for the windy deck. The route has many steep metal stairs, so it isn't suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. The deck may be closed in heavy rain or ice. The two-level restaurant in the old shaft house serves Silesian dishes, and there's a playground.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if industrial heritage interests you. Zabrze is Poland's capital of mining tourism: pair Maciej Shaft with the Guido Historic Coal Mine and the Queen Louise Adit for a full day. Visit in June to catch Industriada, the region's industrial-heritage festival.