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Mining heritage as a new purpose of Czech - Polish cross-border tourism
Published on 16 October 2018
Czech Republic
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Mining industry has often negative image among the general public. The young generation hardly understands its importance.
Mining Heritage Crossborder Cooperation represents cooperation between the border line regions of Žacléř represented by Mine Jan Šverma on the Czech side and Kowary on the Polish side. These are mining heritage sites that started their cooperation to strengthen their experience and influence on public.
Both regions belong to common hard coal basin deposit. Black coal has been mined and has been burned on the both sides since the 15th century. Mining industry enabled foundation of heavy industry in the regions in 19th and 20th century but have serious impact on the environment. Namely air pollution and devastation of the landscape. Mining in those regions ended on both sides (Czech and Polish) after 1990. In Kowary even earlier.
The cooperation is based on exchange of experience in the field of protection, promotion of mining monuments and traditions, documenting the common history.
So far 3 EU funded cross-border cooperational projects were organized by Mine Jan Šverma:
1.Mining in the region of Žacléřsko in cooperation with the municipality of Kowary.
2.Opening up of the Bohumír Mine and the mining open-air museum in Kowary.
3.Promotion of mining heritage and turist targets- in cooperation with the town of Nowa Ruda, and Stara Kopalnia Walbrych.
Main beneficiaries are general public/society, local inhabitants, mining sector.
Mining Heritage Crossborder Cooperation represents cooperation between the border line regions of Žacléř represented by Mine Jan Šverma on the Czech side and Kowary on the Polish side. These are mining heritage sites that started their cooperation to strengthen their experience and influence on public.
Both regions belong to common hard coal basin deposit. Black coal has been mined and has been burned on the both sides since the 15th century. Mining industry enabled foundation of heavy industry in the regions in 19th and 20th century but have serious impact on the environment. Namely air pollution and devastation of the landscape. Mining in those regions ended on both sides (Czech and Polish) after 1990. In Kowary even earlier.
The cooperation is based on exchange of experience in the field of protection, promotion of mining monuments and traditions, documenting the common history.
So far 3 EU funded cross-border cooperational projects were organized by Mine Jan Šverma:
1.Mining in the region of Žacléřsko in cooperation with the municipality of Kowary.
2.Opening up of the Bohumír Mine and the mining open-air museum in Kowary.
3.Promotion of mining heritage and turist targets- in cooperation with the town of Nowa Ruda, and Stara Kopalnia Walbrych.
Main beneficiaries are general public/society, local inhabitants, mining sector.
Resources needed
The 3 projects were financed by the Czech-Polish cross-border cooperation programme with EU co-financing rate about 75%. Costs of the Czech partner Mine Jan Šverma were covered by its founder organization GEMEC-UNION a.s. It was granted about 400 000 EUR in total for those 3 projects.
Evidence of success
Achievements: opening up of the Bohumir Mine for visitors (moreover the Bohumir Mine was listed as a so called “National monument” in 2016), opening up of the open-air museum of mining in Kowary, opening up of the open-air museum of mining in Žacléř, publication of a book about the history of mining in Žacléř region (1000 pieces), getting back to tradition - celebration of the Mining Day.
Attendance of visitors is growing. Unfortunately statistics of visitors have not been kept yet.
Attendance of visitors is growing. Unfortunately statistics of visitors have not been kept yet.
Potential for learning or transfer
Low level of knowledge about mining, its history and importance for the development of the society and low level of social acceptance of mining is a problem shared all around mining regions of the EU.
The need for building of positive image of mining, proposing different view on it and opening a possibility of exchange of experience and cooperation exist in many cross-border mining regions.
This is a good example of how the mentioned problems can be addressed even on a cross-border level.
Those above mentioned activities could be a good example how to preserve the old mining monuments and traditions for the future generations. It brings education of the public and make devastated regions attractive for sightseeing. Apart from that those activities could serve as a strong communication tool and instruments of development of the cultural potential.
The need for building of positive image of mining, proposing different view on it and opening a possibility of exchange of experience and cooperation exist in many cross-border mining regions.
This is a good example of how the mentioned problems can be addressed even on a cross-border level.
Those above mentioned activities could be a good example how to preserve the old mining monuments and traditions for the future generations. It brings education of the public and make devastated regions attractive for sightseeing. Apart from that those activities could serve as a strong communication tool and instruments of development of the cultural potential.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
Důl Jan Šverma o.p.s.
Czech Republic
Severovýchod
Contact