REALIZATIONS
The Main Key Heritage Adit possesses high historical and scientific value, representing a unique example of technical thought and the craftsmanship of early engineers. It stands as one of the largest construction projects of the late 18th and mid-19th centuries in Upper Silesia. Functionally linked to the oldest state-owned mine, "Queen Louise" in Zabrze, it is the longest hydrotechnical structure in European coal mining, utilizing a gravity drainage system.
A few words about the history of the site, whose revitalization was carried out under the supervision of the Provincial Conservator of Monuments by our company, KG Construction:
The adit, with a height of about 2.5 meters and a width of about 1.6 meters at its opening, connected the "Queen Louise" mine in Zabrze with the "King" mine in Chorzów. At 14 kilometers in length, it was the longest adit in Europe at the time of its opening. The difference in levels between the end of the adit in Chorzów and its outlet in Zabrze was about 12.35 meters, meaning the average slope of the adit was slight, at 0.87 meters per kilometer. The realization of this project was made possible by the application of many innovative technical solutions, as the work was carried out under difficult geological conditions. The adit was excavated using counter-fronts from 22 so-called skylights and several shafts located on the grounds of the "King" mine in Chorzów. Mining work was conducted using iron wedges driven into the stone with hammers, and blasting work was also carried out. The adit was partially lined with wood and partially with masonry made of stone or brick. To allow boats traveling in opposite directions to pass easily, five passing places were constructed by widening the adit.
At the "Queen Louise" mine, coal was loaded at the work fronts into pine boxes, reinforced with steel flat bars and hoops, with a capacity of about 370 kg. These were placed on platforms pulled along tracks by hand winches or horses. In this way, the extracted coal was transported through the corridors and inclines to the banks of the adit and loaded onto boats.
Today, following its revitalization, tourists can explore the history of the adit after visiting the "Queen Louise" mine by traveling on electrically powered boats all the way to the Summer Port, located on Karola Miarki Street near the Ibis Hotel in Zabrze. During the boat ride, visitors can learn about the city's history as well as see revitalized technical monuments.
