Dolní oblast Vítkovice

About the museum

The Vítkovice Ironworks were founded on the initiative of Archbishop Rudolf of Olomouc, whose proposal of 9 December 1828 led to the establishment of the ironworks; the Rudolfova huť (Rudolf Ironworks) began operating in September 1830. The coking plant started work in 1831, the first coke blast furnace was lit in 1836 and the second two years later. In 1852 the Hlubina mine was founded nearby. On the site of today’s Blast Furnace No. 1 the first furnace of the Scottish type was lit in 1871, and in the course of time six blast furnaces operated here in total.

Production of pig iron ended on 27 September 1998 with the last tapping. The site was not demolished, however: a government decree of 2002 declared it a national cultural monument, and in 2008 it was included among Czech monuments bearing the European Heritage label. Revitalisation followed with European subsidies. The architect Josef Pleskot converted Blast Furnace No. 1 into an interactive tour route, opened on 20 March 2012, and in 2015 the Bolt Tower lookout tower was built on the furnace, with a bar and café at a height of 77.7 metres. The gasholder from 1922–1924 became, after reconstruction, the multifunctional Gong hall, opened on 1 May 2012.

Today the site is run by the association Dolní oblast VÍTKOVICE. The tour routes lead through the blast furnace, the coking plant (the KOX route with augmented reality), along the traces of coal and through the architecture of the site; the grounds also include Velký a Malý svět techniky (Great and Small World of Technology), a gallery and other attractions.

Highlights

• Blast-furnace route with a climb to the Bolt Tower lookout tower
• Coking plant with the KOX route and augmented reality
• Evening tour Vysoká pec po setmění (Blast Furnace After Dark)
• Route Cesta uhlí (Path of Coal) and the architecture of Dolní Vítkovice
• National cultural monument with the European Heritage label

Permanent exhibitions

• Vysokopecní okruh včetně Bolt Toweru – Tour of Blast Furnace No. 1 with a climb to the Bolt Tower lookout tower at a height of 77.7 metres.
• KOX – koksovna – Route through the operations of the coking plant using augmented reality.

Operated by

Dolní oblast VÍTKOVICE, z.s.

Admission & discounts

The basic price applies to the blast-furnace route including the Bolt Tower (about 100 minutes). Prices valid from 1 February 2024. Children under 15 must be accompanied by a person over 18. Payment by card is possible; Sodexo Flexi Pass vouchers are not accepted, and discounts cannot be combined.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The blast-furnace route involves many steps (90 steps up to the Bolt Tower, 370 steps down into the furnace); the climb with a view is strenuous. The website gives no information on the step-free access of the routes.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family admission is available; further children’s attractions and educational programmes are on site, for example Dětský svět and DOVýuky.

Getting there & parking

The site is in Ostrava-Vítkovice near the city centre. Landek Park (the Mining Museum) is not part of the DOV site and is a separate facility.

Amenities & dining

• Café

On site there are cafés, restaurants and bistros, and the Bolt Café on the lookout tower.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The site offers short-term rental of spaces (pronajem@dolnivitkovice.cz).

Plan your visit