Underground Tourist Route in Kłodzko

The Tysiąclecia Państwa Polskiego Underground Tourist Route in Kłodzko is a unique complex of underground passages located beneath the Old Town of Kłodzko, stretching approximately 700 meters in length and opened to visitors in 1976. The Kłodzko underground system has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, when cellars carved into the soft loess subsoil served residents as food storage and shelter in the event of threats from foreign armies. Following World War II and the subsequent years, the maintenance of these underground spaces was neglected, leading to a series of structural disasters in the 1950s and 1960s, when nearly 200 buildings were destroyed due to rainwater undermining their foundations. In response to these threats, between 1962 and 1976, stabilization works were carried out under the guidance of specialists from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, which allowed parts of the excavations to be opened to the public. In 1977, the underground system was entered into the register of historical monuments. The tourist route runs beneath Church Square and along Kościelna, Armii Krajowej, Tumska, and Czeska Streets. During the tour, history enthusiasts can admire numerous themed chambers housing exhibits depicting the daily life of Kłodzko’s inhabitants, including apothecary vessels, executioner’s tools, a baking oven, as well as reconstructions of a tavern and a merchant’s office. An additional advantage of the route is a modern interactive sound system that offers sounds of the old town, such as market noises, music, and the clamor of battles. Animation projections, like rats reacting to movement, create an immersive effect and bring the historical narrative to life. The Underground Tourist Route not only contributes to the preservation of Kłodzko’s architectural heritage but also serves as an important element of regional culture and tourism, offering visitors a unique journey back in time.