The history of the Zabrze coal mine dates back to 1791. The Queen Louise Mine was renamed to the Zabrze Mine after World War II. It ceased operation in 1973, and in 1993 it was entered in the register of monuments of the Katowice Province. Today it houses the Open-Air Mining Museum – a branch of the Coal Mining Museum in Zabrze, which is part of the popular Silesian Industrial Monuments Route. The Queen Louise route includes two exhibition spaces. The first one – Edison’s Mine, located in a former 6 kV switchgear room, is devoted to the use of electricity in coal mining. The second exhibition – Extraordinary History occupies a former compressor station.

Both exhibitions are designed with respect for and in reference to the post-industrial character of the place. Original exhibits – meters, clocks, old electrical machines – are complemented with multimedia content, which encourage the viewers to explore the subject matters presented in the exhibition. In a special area dedicated to mining technology, visitors can watch educational films of our production that describe individual mining machines, explain how they work and tell about the dangers of working underground. In turn, films devoted to the creation and typology of rocks throw some light on the issues of geology. 

For the youngest visitors, we have prepared interactive games and quizzes in which they may try recognising rocks as well as learn about the Silesian dialect, regional Silesian and mining costumes and traditional Silesian songs.

The whole project consists of 3D animations, interactive multimedia applications, audio e‑cards and a self-operating exhibition management system.

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“The consortium of New Amsterdam Sp. z o.o. and NoLabel Sp. z o.o. designed and implemented for our Museum the project under the name of ‘Purchase of interactive equipment, including installation and software as part of an underground tourist and educational route in the old workings of the Queen Louise Open-Air Mining Museum’ (…). The team demonstrated their commitment and creative approach to the project, which was carried out timely and professionally. We can recommend both companies as solid and reliable partners”.

Bartłomiej Szewczyk
Director of the Coal Mining Museum in Zabrze