On the edge of Niewiadom, the distinctive towers and industrial buildings of Zabytkowa Kopalnia Ignacy (Historic Ignacy Mine) recall a time when coal mining shaped everyday life across Upper Silesia. The former mine has a history stretching back to 1792, but today its role is very different.
The machinery remains, the historic buildings have been carefully restored, and the former mining site has become a place for exhibitions, science, culture, recreation and community events.
One of the liveliest dates in the calendar is now approaching, with the return of the popular “Fojermany na Hoymie” fire brigade picnic on 5 September 2026.
From Versuch Kohlengrube to Ignacy
The story began in 1792, when a trial coal mine called Versuch Kohlengrube was established at Biertułtowy following the discovery of coal in the area.
It was later named Hoym, after Karl Georg Heinrich von Hoym, the Prussian minister responsible for Silesia. As mining developed, the operation expanded and became an important part of the industrial landscape around present-day Rybnik.
Technology changed the mine dramatically. A steam-powered drainage machine was introduced as early as 1806, while new shafts and increasingly sophisticated machinery allowed mining to continue at greater depths.
The site that visitors see today grew from this long process of industrial development.
A mine through changing times
The mine's history reflects the complicated political history of Upper Silesia.
After the region became part of Poland following the Silesian uprisings and plebiscite period, the mine continued operating under Polish administration. In 1936 it was renamed Ignacy, commemorating Polish President Ignacy Mościcki.
The Second World War brought German occupation and another change in administration. After 1945, the mine returned to Poland's state mining system.
In 1968, it became part of KWK Rydułtowy, operating as Ruch II. Coal production continued for decades, with annual output reaching almost one million tonnes at its peak.
The final wagon of coal left through the Kościuszko shaft on 11 August 1995, bringing the site's coal-producing era to an end after more than two centuries.
Saving the machinery
The end of mining could easily have meant the end of the buildings and machinery too.
Instead, former employees, local activists and heritage supporters worked to preserve what remained. The Stowarzyszenie Zabytkowej Kopalni „Ignacy” was established in 1999, helping to build support for protecting the site.
The historic complex was entered into the register of monuments in 2005.
Among its most important surviving features are the Kościuszko and Głowacki shafts, their winding-engine buildings and the former power station and compressor hall.
The machinery is particularly valuable. The Kościuszko shaft is home to a historic steam winding engine dating from 1900, while the Głowacki shaft preserves another steam-powered winding engine with more than a century of working history.
These are not merely static museum pieces. Demonstrations allow visitors to appreciate the scale, sound and engineering of the technology that once formed the heart of the mine.
A new chapter for Niewiadom
The transformation of the site gathered pace over the following years, culminating in a major revitalisation completed in 2022.
The investment, worth more than PLN 40 million, restored historic structures while adapting the complex for contemporary cultural and educational use.
Today, visitors can explore industrial heritage alongside exhibitions and science activities. The site is also home to SOWA, a science and discovery centre, while former industrial spaces accommodate cultural and community events.
The former water tower has another new role. Standing around 46 metres high, it has been adapted as a viewing tower, offering views across Rybnik and the surrounding landscape.
This mixture of old machinery, restored architecture, public space and new activities has helped make Ignacy one of the most recognisable attractions in Rybnik.
The project received international recognition in 2024, when Zabytkowa Kopalnia Ignacy won a European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award and then received the prestigious Grand Prix.
“Fojermany na Hoymie” returns on 5 September
The former mine will once again become the setting for one of Niewiadom's most distinctive community events this September.
OSP Niewiadom Fire Brigade, along with the Historic Ignacy Mine, invites residents and visitors to „Fojermany na Hoymie”, a free fire brigade picnic combining music, family activities and demonstrations of emergency services.
The event has been held for seven years, bringing local firefighters and the historic mine together for an afternoon built around three fitting themes: fire, water and passion.
This year's event takes place on:
Date: Saturday, 5 September 2026
Time: from 15:00
Location: Zabytkowa Kopalnia Ignacy, Rybnik
Admission: Free
The main programme includes a performance by DJ Jakub Odrzygóźdź, a presentation by the Akademia Ochrony Ludności, technical rescue demonstrations at 17:30, a foam party at 18:30 and a display of fire service vehicles.
There will also be plenty for younger visitors, including children's activities, an obstacle course and competitions with prizes. A food area will provide refreshments throughout the afternoon.
The technical rescue demonstrations are one of the afternoon's highlights, offering a chance to see specialist equipment and procedures in action. Later, the foam party will bring a more playful end to the programme.
An industrial landmark with a local heartbeat
Ignacy's story is ultimately tied to the people of Niewiadom.
The mine provided employment for generations and helped shape the district around it. Today, the same buildings are being used for very different purposes, but the connection with the local community remains strong.
Events such as Fojermany na Hoymie are a good example. The historic industrial setting becomes a backdrop for local firefighters, families, children and residents to spend time together.
That combination of preserved history and everyday community life is what makes a visit to Ignacy particularly distinctive.
On 5 September, the old mine will once again fill with music, emergency vehicles, demonstrations, children's activities and plenty of foam, providing a lively reminder that Niewiadom's industrial heritage still has an active place in the life of Rybnik.
See more: What's in a Name? The Streets and Stories of Rybnik
Image credit: Krzysztof Popławski, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
