Kopalnia Podgórze (Podgórze Uranium Mine) in Kowary
Kopalnia Podgórze is a former uranium mine in Kowary, open to visitors as a guided underground route of about 1,600 m that takes around 80 minutes. According to the announcement on its official website, the mine is open daily from 10:30 to 16:30.
What is Kopalnia Podgórze?
It is an authentic mine where uranium ore was extracted between 1950 and 1958. It belonged to the R-1 Industrial Plants based in Kowary — a strictly secret enterprise that shipped the ore to the USSR. Today a guide leads you through the old tunnels and workings, telling the story of mining in Kowary and of work underground in communist Poland.
What will you see on the tourist route?
- Original tunnels and workings with drilling marks, mining tools and archive photographs.
- A chapel of St Barbara, the patron saint of miners.
- A flooded shaft 244 m deep, lit with UV light.
- An exhibition of uranium glass — more than 600 objects that glow under ultraviolet light.
- Bats wintering underground — watched from a distance, so photos are taken without flash.
Which routes can you choose?
- Tourist route — about 1,600 m, about 80 minutes with a guide, no age limit.
- Extreme route — about 3,000 m of raw tunnels, up to 3 hours, from age 16; booking required.
- Diving route — over 20 km of flooded workings for divers; booking required.
How to prepare
It is about 8°C underground all year round with humidity of around 97%, so bring a warm jacket and sturdy shoes even on a hot day — the tunnels can be wet. The tourist route is accessible to people with disabilities, and animals are welcome.
Is it a good idea on a rainy day?
Yes — the whole visit is underground, so the weather does not matter. It is about 25 minutes by car from the centre of Karpacz. Please note that Kopalnia Podgórze is a different attraction from Sztolnie Kowary, although both are on ul. Podgórze.