School in a historic coal mine

Saturn, opened at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and closed ten years ago, is the only coal mine in Poland which has been preserved almost intact. Apart from industrial buildings (the most valuable of which are two shafts and miners’ waiting room), it also includes three workers’ settlements, community centre, school, two palaces and three parks which surround the coal mine.

The town became interested in this historic place two years ago. The coal mine buildings were taken over (in one of them the Power Station art gallery was opened) and revitalisation of the 11th November settlement started. Now, the authorities of Czeladź want to renovate the miners’ waiting room and turn it into a higher education institution. Some schools have already declared they would like to have lectures within the confines of the former coal mine. Other buildings will be used as arts workshops and offices for local associations. Materials related to the coal mine will be available in the basements.

Although the coal mine complex has not been placed on the list of monuments yet, the conservator’s suggestions will be taken into consideration during the renovation.

- It is a more expensive solution but we hope that the revitalised Saturn will stand a better chance of being placed on the UNESCO list. After all, this is a monument on a European scale – explains Rafał Kost, Project Co-ordinator.

The town hopes that part of the undertaking will be financed by the European Union.

The Power Station art gallery in the historic coal mine
Photograph by Bartłomiej Barczyk / AG