Podziemia Opatowskie
Roughly 500-metre underground tourist route beneath the market square in Opatów, made up of former merchants’ cellars, visited with a guide and with exhibitions on the town’s history.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Opatów cellars probably began to be built in the 13th century, and the oldest details visible on the route date from the 15th century. From the Middle Ages, and especially in the 16th and 17th centuries, they served as merchants’ warehouses, because Opatów lay at the crossing of major trade routes. Merchants stored wine, herring, hides, spices, wax and salt in them, and the thick layer of loess made it possible to dig further chambers on ever lower levels.
The cellars were explored in the 1960s and 1970s by members of the Kraków Cave Tourism Club (Krakowski Klub Turystyki Jaskiniowej), and from 1971 securing works were carried out under the supervision of specialists from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków (Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza), led by Prof. Zbigniew Strzelecki, with the participation of miners from the Mining Works Company (Przedsiębiorstwo Robót Górniczych) in Bytom. The route was opened to visitors in 1984, and today it is looked after by the District Cultural Centre (Powiatowe Centrum Kultury) in Opatów.
The underground tourist route is about 500 metres long and has three levels, the lowest of which reaches 14.5 metres below the surface of the market square. The temperature here is constant at between 8 and 12 degrees Celsius. A guided visit lasts about 45 minutes and takes in a dozen or so chambers, such as Żmigród, Górnicza, Strzelnica, Partyzancka and Geologiczna. Along the way, visitors can see exhibitions, mainly on regional themes, and learn about the history of the cellars and of Opatów.
Highlights
- about 500 m of merchants’ cellar labyrinth on three levels
- deepest level 14.5 m below the market square
- a dozen or so chambers with their own names, including Żmigród and Strzelnica
- exhibitions on the history of Opatów and the Opatów Land
- guided visit at a constant temperature of 8–12 °C
Permanent exhibition
- Podziemna Trasa Turystyczna im. prof. Zbigniewa Strzeleckiego – Route through about 20 chambers of former cellars and merchants’ storerooms, with exhibitions on the history of Opatów and the Opatów Land.
- Founded
- 1984
- Operated by
- Powiatowe Centrum Kultury w Opatowie
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 27 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 22 złpupils, students up to age 26 (on presentation of a student card), pensioners and recipients of disability pensions |
| Children & teens | 22 złfree up to age 3 · Children under 3 enter free of charge. |
| Groups (15+ people) | 18 zł per personPrice per person for a group of at least 15 people. |
| Families | –Holders of the Large Family Card pay PLN 15. |
| Ticket with Large Family Card | 15 zł |
| Ride in a Melex around the town | 10 złChildren under 3 free; price valid since 1 June 2024. |
| Ride in a Melex around the town with the “Mini zwierzyniec” (small zoo) | 20 zł |
| Town guide service (individual visitor) | 30 złTour of the market square, Warsaw Gate (Brama Warszawska), the Collegiate Church of St Martin, the Bernardine monastery and the Museum House (2–2.5 hours); for a group of at least 20 people PLN 200. Admission to the Collegiate Church is charged separately. |
The price list has been in force since 1 June 2025. Tickets are bought at the ticket office of the Underground Tourist Route; payment by card is possible.
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 route runs underground on three levels; the temperature is constant at between 8 and 12 degrees Celsius. Detailed information on accessibility for people with disabilities has not been found.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
Children under 3 enter free of charge, and families with the Large Family Card pay PLN 15 per person.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Spacious car park beside national road no. 74, near the Warsaw Gate.
The entrance and exit of the route are at the same point, pl. Obrońców Pokoju 18, in the town centre. Opatów lies at the crossing of national roads nos. 9 and 74; it is 17 km from Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, 30 km from Sandomierz and about 60 km from Kielce.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
On site there is a souvenir shop and a toilet.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The visit is only with a guide, who is included in the ticket price. It is worth bringing warmer clothing, as it is cool underground. |
