Muzeum Hutnictwa w Chorzowie

About the museum

The idea of a metallurgy museum in Chorzów arose after 2010, when the city bought the historic hall of the former power station of the Huta Królewska (Royal Ironworks). The oldest part of the building dates from 1895; the power station supplied the town of Królewska Huta from 1898 to 1911, and later only the ironworks. After the war the building served as part of the electrical department of the Kościuszko ironworks, and in the 1970s it housed a switchgear and an engine store.

The hall was secured, and before its adaptation it hosted cultural events, including World Press Photo exhibitions. In 2013–2017 teams worked on preparing the museum, and from 2017 the city of Chorzów, as a partner of the Muzeum Górnictwa Węglowego w Zabrzu (Museum of Coal Mining in Zabrze), carried out an EU project to revitalise the post-industrial heritage of Upper Silesia. The municipal cultural institution Muzeum Hutnictwa w Chorzowie was established by a resolution of the City Council of 29 August 2019.

The permanent exhibition “Kingdom of Iron” (“Królestwo Żelaza”) tells the story of more than 200 years of iron and steel production, using the example of the Kościuszko (Royal) and Batory (Bismarck) ironworks. It leads through the “Work Zone” and the “Life Zone”, and its core is the memories of former ironworkers. Visitors will see original machines, including a bridge hammer weighing almost seventeen tonnes and a section of a rolling mill with a flywheel six metres in diameter, as well as a film shown in a panoramic cinema hall.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Kingdom of Iron” in the historic power station hall
• Bridge hammer weighing about 17 tonnes
• Section of a rolling mill with a flywheel 6 m in diameter
• Film screening in a spherical cinema hall
• Children’s trail with the foundry spirit Przetopek
• Demonstrations of the Beche-100 hammer on selected Saturdays and Sundays

Permanent exhibition

• Królestwo Żelaza – Multimedia permanent exhibition on more than 200 years of iron and steel production, using the example of the Kościuszko (Royal) and Batory (Bismarck) ironworks, with original machines, memories of ironworkers and a film in a panoramic cinema hall.

Founded

2019

Operated by

Miasto Chorzów (samorządowa instytucja kultury)

Director

Tomasz Owoc

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On Sundays admission to the permanent exhibition “Kingdom of Iron” is free.

Adults with a Large Family Card buy the reduced ticket (PLN 15). Additional discounts: 50% with the Chorzów Resident Card (Chorzowska Karta Mieszkańca), 25% with the Katowice Resident Card (Katowicka Karta Mieszkańca) and 10% on presentation of a ticket from the Muzeum Hutnictwa Cynku Walcownia w Katowicach (purchased no earlier than two months before the visit). A guided tour of the exhibition with a film screening in the cinema hall takes about an hour.

Accessibility

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

The main entrance and the alternative entrance through the catering area are adapted for wheelchair users and blind visitors. The permanent exhibition is on the ground floor; in the foyer there is a lift to the conference hall, and toilets and a cloakroom for people with disabilities are on the ground floor. In the exhibition space portable seats, tactile graphics and descriptions of machines are available, and the films have subtitles and interpretation into Polish Sign Language. At the stations there are descriptions matching the films, as well as sound showers. Multisensory effects in the cinema hall (sound, light, smell) may be overwhelming for people on the autism spectrum, so entering the hall is optional. Ground vibrations may be felt in the vicinity of the production plants.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

For children there is a trail with the foundry spirit Przetopek, with tasks and games, and the “Dziennik Odkrywcy” for children from 6 years old (PLN 8). On the ground floor, next to the toilets, there is a family room for families with children, and the exhibition is on the ground floor and well suited for pushchairs. The museum organises activities for kindergartens and schools.

Getting there & parking

Due to road reconstruction, access by car is currently possible from ul. Floriańska via ul. Krakusa and from ul. Nowa and ul. Kościuszki; the entrance to ul. Metalowców from ul. Katowicka is temporarily closed.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

The building has a cloakroom (also for people with disabilities) and lockers as available; on the ground floor there is a catering area.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 200 guests.

Three conference rooms are available for hire (Bessemer, Martin and Watt; the largest for 200 people), a mezzanine, a reception area and catering facilities. Tenants have access to the internet.

Plan your visit