The Hlubina Mine is awaiting reconstruction for 192 million crowns

Ostrava - The National Cultural Monument Důl Hlubina in the Ostrava Dolní Vítkovice area is set to undergo extensive reconstruction. A cultural, educational, and social center intended for non-profit activities will be created from the former coal mine at a cost of 192 million. The renovated mine will welcome its first visitors at the beginning of 2015. This was stated by the project spokesperson Eva Kijonková.
The funding for the extensive restoration of the area, which is directly adjacent to the already accessible blast furnace that today serves as an observation tower, has been obtained by the Lower Vítkovice Area Association in cooperation with the Association “I’m Reporting to the Factory.” Of the total amount, 85 percent will be provided by European funds, while the remaining part will come from the state.
"The revitalization will transform the existing buildings into unconventional educational studios, clubrooms, rehearsal spaces, classrooms, presentation areas, or halls. These will become part of the city and regional educational infrastructure. They will symbolically operate continuously in three shifts just like before," explained the spokesperson's intention.
Specifically, the construction work will affect the building of the old bathrooms, the compressor house, the winding tower, the transformer station, the dining room, and the material-technical support warehouse. "All heritage-protected buildings will be reconstructed, connected to technical networks and transportation infrastructure, and the surrounding areas will also be improved to create completely natural public spaces," added Rodan Broskevič, a member of the board of the Lower Vítkovice Area Association.
The entire Lower Vítkovice area has been undergoing significant restoration in recent years. The industrial area is transforming into a modern entertainment and educational district. The former blast furnace, where iron was smelted, has served as a nature trail and an observation tower since last spring. An interactive museum of industry has also been established from the VI Energy Central, and the former gas holder is now a multifunctional hall. After the renovation, the former mine is intended to connect to these buildings.
The area will primarily serve for teaching technical, and this time also humanities subjects in an unconventional way and in an unusual environment. In addition to seminars, non-profit events, festivals, concerts, and exhibitions are also expected to take place in the spaces. "The overall programming will be focused on non-profit and new activities that develop the local independent culture," explained Karel Malík, a project specialist from the Lower Vítkovice Area Association.
Currently, preparations for construction are beginning, and a contractor and technical supervision are being selected. Construction is most likely to start in April. Důl Hlubina was established on the border of Moravská Ostrava and Vítkovice in 1852. At that time, there was rapid development in metallurgy, iron production, and also coal mining. The area included not only the mine itself but also a processing plant, coal production, and facilities for producing pig iron. The last cart loaded with coal left Důl Hlubina for the surface on June 30, 1992. During its operation, more than 47 million tons of coal were mined from the mine.