INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE
An industrious nation
The industrialization of Czechia began at the end of the 18th century with the first water-powered, cotton spinning machine and the the first steam engines appearing in the beginning of the 19th century. Mines and iron works were also established early on to exploit the rich deposits of coal and iron ore.
By the middle of the 19th century Czechia’s regions had achieved a level of industrialisation second to none in central Europe and held a leading position within the Habsburg Empire.
Today, the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) lists four so-called ‘industrial anchors’ on Czech territory and countless other interesting sites and museums, spread all over the country.
Whether it’s an old factory, an abandoned mine, or a modern technology museum, a brewery or a glass factory blowing atelier, these sites and spots are perfectly combinable when planning a road trip.
'Must see' industrial sites
- Urquell brewery and museum, Plzeň
- Stára čistírna waste water treatment plant, Prague
- Dolní Vítkovice ironworks, Ostrava
- Michal mine, Ostrava
- Moser glass factory and museum, Karlovy Vary
- Škoda auto museum, Mladá Bosleslav
- Museum of shoemaking, Zlín
- Paper mill, Velké Losiny
The four anchors of ERIH
Dolní Vitkovice in Ostrava is a former black coal mine and raw steel plant. It was operative between 1828 and 1998 and was a unique place for heavy industrial production in Europe. Today, this industrial giant has changed into a no less unique educational, cultural, and social center with reach beyond the country borders. Apart from the impressive towers and factory buildings, you will find science and technology centers, a multifunctional auditorium, cinema, art, music and some cosy cafés here.
Also in Ostrava, the Michalkovice pit No. 3, or the Michal Mine, has been preserved in the original condition from 1912–1915. The mine site remained in operation without any substantial changes until June 1993, when it was closed down. Everything has been exceptionally well preserved as it was on the last working day. In 1995 the mine site was declared a national cultural monument and since 2000 it has been opened to the public.
The Pilsner Urquell Brewery in Plzeň first opened in 1842. It was the first brewery to produce pale lager, branded as Pilsner Urquell. The beer became so popular that today more than two-thirds of the beer produced in the world are pale lager, sometimes named pils, pilsner and pilsener after the original Pilsner Urquell. The brewery museum in the authentic medieval brewing house with malt house, has been declared a cultural monument.
The Old Wastewater Treatment Plant in Prague-Bubeneč served as a wastewater treatment plant until 1967. In 1991 the area was declared a cultural monument , in 2010 a national cultural monument and since 2016 an anchor point ERIH. As a visitor you can see the original process of mechanical wastewater treatment for Prague.
Start planning your industrial heritage holiday now!
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