Dolní oblast Vítkovice Ironworks

Dolní Vítkovice, often called "Ostravské Hradčany," represents one of the most important industrial complexes of the Czech Republic. This extensive complex near the Ostrava centre consists of three consecutive units - a coal mine, a coking plant and a blast furnace - and forms a unique set of industrial architecture.

Start Vítkovice dates back to December 9, 1828, when the Archbishop Rudolf of Olomouc initiated their establishment. The operation of Rudolf's Huti started in mid-September in 1830, the coking plant was established a year later. The first tall coke oven was lit in 1836, the second two years later. In 1852 a mine Deep was founded near the rook. Over time, six blast furnaces functioned, with which the operation continued until 27 September 1998, when the last blast took place and the era of ironworks ended.

Interesting is the origin of the name "Ostrava Hradčany." The popular reputation connects it with Czechoslovak postage stamps from the First Republic, when the stamp with the Vítkovice panorama was to come out next to Hradčan. However, the reality is different - the first stamp with the picture of Moravian Ostrava was issued only in 1939 during the protectorate.

After the production, it was discussed whether to demolish or preserve the site. In the end, the vision of revitalization prevailed. In June 2002, the Government of the Lower Region of Vítkovice declared a national cultural monument. Six years later, in December 2008, the region entered the European Cultural Heritage List. In September 2009, the regeneration project received a half-billion-dollar grant from the EU and the Czech Republic. The aim was to make the memory available to the public and to allow it to be used for education and culture.

In 2012, the first phase of the project was completed and three basic objects were made available: furnace number 1, gas and power exchange building. High kiln number 1 has a rich history - in 1871 the first high kiln of the Scottish type was lit in its place, which worked with breaks until 1902. The new furnace was built in the following three years and in 1910 to 1911 it underwent modernization with the introduction of a steam elevator. By general repair in 1988, up to 300 000 tonnes of special iron were among the most modern furnaces in Europe.

The architect Josef Pleskot was built as an interactive educational and sightseeing route in 2011-2012. It shall be made available to the public as from 20 March 2012. The tour starts at the crane track and continues with the ski lift, which takes visitors to the platform at a height of 45 metres and up to the lookout tower at the top of the kiln at a height of 60 metres. A part of the route is also a place of weaning, casting platform and historical control with original equipment.