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16 September 2020 / 18 Comments

Dolni Vitkovice and Bolt Tower in Ostrava, Czech Republic

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Dolni Vitkovice and Bolt Tower in Ostrava, Czech Republic, are for those who like industrial history or raw industrial environments. Steel and iron were once worked here, and the heat in the blast furnaces was extreme. Today you can take guided tours as a tourist and check out the view of the area from the 80 metre high Bolt Tower.

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Dolni Vitkovice in Ostrava

The first blast furnace in Dolni Vitkovice was lit in 1836. In 1852, the Hlubina mine was opened to supply the blast furnaces with coke. Over time, the industrial area and iron production expanded, and there was a lot of industrial activity here for a long period of time.

Today, Dolni Vitkovice stands largely untouched as it was left, and tourists are shown around on guided tours. Once a year it also organises the music festival Colours of Ostrava, which we visited in 2016. Talk about a cool setting for a festival!

Dolni Vitkovice
Dolni Vitkovice
Dolni Vitkovice

Dolni Vitkovice is located in Ostrava, in the eastern part of the Czech Republic.

Guided tour in Dolni Vitkovice

We drove to Dolni Vitkovice with the camper, using GPS, and parked outside in one of the car parks. No problem!

We went to the entrance and when it was time for the guided tour, we equipped ourselves with helmets and headphones. The verbal guide was in Czech and in the headphones we instead received guidance in English. There is also a "wall" in the area with historical information in both Czech and English.

The masks are our own and are needed in the Czech Republic during the coronavirus pandemic. You don't have to wear them outdoors, but put them on when entering shops, museums and other public buildings.

Dolni Vitkovice
Dolni Vitkovice
Dolni Vitkovice

The guide (at least the audio guide) told us about the history of Dolni Vitkovice and the people who worked here. It could be incredibly hot and in some cases the workers needed some kind of "protective equipment". Peter tried it out and said it was unwieldy. We also got to see the "control room", and stepping into it felt a bit like stepping into an old film. Very interesting!

Dolni Vitkovice
Dolni Vitkovice
Dolni Vitkovice

Bolt Tower

The highlight of the tour is going up the Bolt Tower. This is where up to 1200 tonnes of pig iron were once produced in blast furnace number 1. Today the building has been extended in height and the almost 80 metre high tower serves as a tourist attraction. You take a lift a long way up, and then continue on foot along stairs.

Bolt Tower
Bolt Tower
Bolt Tower

We both took the lift up, but at the landing where you take the stairs further, I (Helena) stopped as I am soooo afraid of heights. Peter continued up and took a number of photos of the view. From the top you have a really nice view of the whole of Ostrava and the surrounding area. There is also a café up there.

Bolt Tower
Bolt Tower
Bolt Tower

Museum and walk on the grounds in Dolni Vitkovice

After the guided tour, we visited the Science and Technology centre, which is right next door. This museum is so close that you can see the industrial buildings reflected in the exterior of the museum! The museum was interesting and entertaining, and is perhaps even more interesting if you have children or young people with you. We will tell you more about this later.

We then continued to walk around the area on our own. This place is really special. It's worn out in places and almost scary, but at the same time it appeals to the imagination. You think that maybe you could shoot films here or use the scenery for various photo shoots. It is also fascinating to think about all the activities that have taken place here throughout history.

Dolni Vitkovice
Dolni Vitkovice
Dolni Vitkovice

More to see and do in Ostrava

There is of course much more to see and do in Ostrava than Dolni Vitkovice and the Bolt Tower. We can recommend a visit to the Mining Museum, among others. Landek Park or to take a trip to the cosy little town. Stramberk or the beautiful mountain area The Beskids. In the centre of Ostrava, it's worth visiting both the square with the old town hall and the city hall. the new town hall, from which you have a view of the whole city.

Ostrava

Staying with your motorhome in Ostrava

We stayed with the motorhome overnight at the Landek Park campsite. This campsite is right next to the mining museum, so it's perfect if you want to visit it. The service is very modern and good, and there is a small restaurant at the reception where you can have a beer, for example. There is also a restaurant at the mining museum. If you want to cycle into town, there are cycle paths.

Landek Park

More to see and do in the Czech Republic

There is of course much more to see and do in the Czech Republic. Below you'll find a wide range of articles with inspiration and travel tips.

All our top tips for the Czech Republic. Click on the image!

Have you visited Dolni Vitkovice?

Have you visited Dolni Vitkovice or been to Ostrava? Do you like industrial history or industrial sites?

Facts about Dolni Vitkovice and Bolt Tower

Guided tours

There are many different guided tours to choose from, both in Dolni Vitkovice and around it. Please note that there may be more than the following tours. The prices below are for 2020, and are subject to change. The exchange rate may also vary. Please refer to the industrial area's website for up-to-date information.

  • Masugnstur incl. Bolt Tower: 100 minutes, 230 czk for adults (approx. 90 sec)
  • Masugnstur outside the Bolt Tower: 100 minutes, only for booked groups, 180 czk for adults (about 70 sec)
  • Collision on the surface: Tour above Hlublina mine, 100 minutes, 130 czk for adults (about 50 sec)
  • Combined tour: Blast furnace tour incl. Bolt Tower and surface coal tour, 2 x 100 minutes, 270 czk for adults (approx. 105 sec).

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Hospital Kuks in the Czech Republic - an unusual attraction Borgen SloupSloup Castle in the Czech Republic - a fascinating place to visit Slottet Houska i TjeckienHouska Castle in the Czech Republic - over the gateway to hell Borgen KokořínKokořín Castle in the Czech Republic - plus nature experiences Borgen Trosky i TjeckienTrosky Castle in the Czech Republic - a landmark ruin

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16 September 2020 6:00
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15 Comments

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  1. Johnny Friskilä says:

    Really good tips in case I go back to the Czech Republic sometime! 🙂

    16 September 2020 - 8:46

    Reply

  2. Ama de casa says:

    Cool! Guess BP will be drooling all over the keyboard 😀.

    Keep up the good work!

    16 September 2020 - 10:04

    Reply

  3. Lena in Wales and Spain says:

    This would probably be a place I wouldn't have chosen in the first place, but think how narrowly one thinks sometimes, it was really interesting. It's important not to get stuck in old ruts and exclude places because you make premature judgements out of sheer narrow-mindedness.

    16 September 2020 - 10:54

    Reply

  4. Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:

    Interesting to see, but probably not as nice to work there. Tough work environment and dangerous!

    16 September 2020 - 11:53

    Reply

  5. TravelAnna says:

    How nice that you returned to Ostrava and to this industrial area! Interesting to hear more about it. Unusual to see it without a festival outfit! Yes, as you already know, I was also there at Colours of Ostrava 2016. Such an incredibly cool memory! So fun that we experienced the festival together!

    I also captured that cool mirror image but during the festival: https://www.newyorkmybite.com/colours-of-ostrava-%e2%88%92-europas-coolaste-musikfestival/ Didn't realise there was a museum there though. I was also up in the tower taking photographs.

    16 September 2020 - 16:09

    Reply

  6. BP says:

    Ooooohhhhhhhh what a delicious environment. Love it, completely in my taste. So fun to transform the whole area into a tourist attraction, it is almost a cultural heritage. The view from the tower is fantastic.

    By the way, I see that the mouth guard you are wearing matches the helmet;-) On the other hand, I laughed at Peter's attempt to put on the protective equipment. Thought mostly about his shoes there - hahaha:-)

    16 September 2020 - 20:28

    Reply

    • Comment by post author

      Helena says:

      Then Ama was right, that you would like this 😉 It was pure luck that the mouth guard matched, haha, but now after a few days of travelling we have at least got hold of a slightly nicer mouth guard 😉

      17 September 2020 - 5:34

      Reply

  7. Lena - good for the soul says:

    What a cool place! And how big it seems. I'm sure I'd like it there. I like old industries like that.

    Hug Lena

    20 September 2020 - 11:08

    Reply

3 Pingbacks

  1. Open air museum in the Czech Republic - Wallachian Open Air museum | FREEDOMtravel
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  3. Tree top railway in Czech Republic - Pustevny and Stezka Valaska | FREEDOMtravel

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