Black Trout Adit

The Black Trout Adit is a 600-meter section of the "Fryderyk" Deep Adit, the longest drainage adit in Tarnowskie Góry, which was part of the royal lead-silver ore mine "Fryderyk," established in 1784. The site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017, highlighting its cultural and historical significance. The adit, open to visitors since 1957, is part of the Silesian Voivodeship's Industrial Monuments Trail and has been a historical monument since 2004. The tourist route runs between the "Ewa" and "Sylwester" shafts, with guests boating on underground waters 0.7-1 m deep. During the visit, tourists can see stalactites and naturally carved sections of the passageway in dolomite rock. The adit was designed by mining masters Thürnagel and Eisleben in the 19th century, and its construction began in 1821, showcasing the advanced engineering thinking of the time. Architecturally, the classical sandstone portal at the adit's outlet stands out, though it has not survived to this day. The site is accompanied by the history of ore mining and the dynamic development of mining in the region, driven by the need for efficient groundwater drainage. As an interesting fact, until 2018, the Black Trout Adit was the longest underground tourist route in Poland, and in 2020, a new tourist base was opened, enriching the tourist offerings in the area. Architecturally harmonized with its surroundings, the new base aims to attract more visitors, continuing the tradition associated with this unique site. The educational and tourist value of the Black Trout Adit makes it a significant point in the region's cultural offerings, combining history, engineering, and the natural beauty of the underground.