Moravian-Silesian Technical Trail

Stories of bygone times

The entire route is divided into several areas based on the technical specialisation of individual industries. You will witness stories of miners, stone-breakers and steelworkers, millers and craftsmen, stories of courage, pride and determination, as well as stories from travels or of industrial brands. Each story involves several stops across the region of North Moravia and Silesia. You will find a total of 30 stops on the Moravian-Silesian technical trail, and more of them will be added. The trail not only includes monuments from the industrial revolution era, but also artefacts that are much older or, on the contrary, younger. Given that this corner of the Czech Republic around the cities of Ostrava and Opava is interwoven with a dense network of cycle routes in close proximity to individual facilities, you can undertake a visit by bike as well.

Interesting places you should not miss  

Michal Mine and Lower Vítkovice area in Ostrava

Both the Michal Mine and Lower Vítkovice area are authentically preserved locations that witnessed the industrial development of the entire region and, in particular, of the city of Ostrava. The industrial revolution in the 19th century required bituminous coal, and Ostrava mines offered it almost in unlimited quantity. Tours take place both in the Michal Mine and in the Lower Vítkovice area, the latter of which presents the steel production process. The routes will take you to places where the steel heart of industry was beating as recently as 25 years ago!

Třemešná – Osoblaha narrow-gauge track

A unique narrow-gauge track, the only one of its kind in Silesia, is located in the wider Osoblaha area at the foothills of the Jeseníky Mountains. The track was put into operation in 1872, but today it only serves for recreational purposes – you can take a ride on a genuine steam engine with tourist carriages.

Ema slag heap in Ostrava

There is a cone-shaped slag heap near the centre of Ostrava. Its red top is composed of millions of tonnes of burnt spoil that was transported there from the “Trojice” bituminous-coal mine in Ostrava from the 1920s. The slag heap has been slowly burning internally for the past 60 years, and the rare porcelainite and jasper minerals are formed there half naturally and half artificially owing to high temperatures. The heap is freely accessible and forms the highest peak of the city.

Darkovičky Czechoslovak fortification complex

You can find a notable military and technical monument in the small village of Darkovičky, a short journey from Ostrava. Highly valued at European level, the fortification complex is today an example of the unique Czechoslovakian fortification system, which comprised a system of forts constructed along the border with Nazi Germany before the Second World War.

Wesselsky watermill in Loučky

The mill in Loučky between Olomouc and Ostrava is situated beside the Odra River, and a functional race still operates there to this day. Here you can view a mill with unique technology, a functional mill wheel nearly 5 metres in diameter and a restored gearbox to drive agricultural machines. Today, the watermill offers interesting and romantic accommodation.

Slezská Harta Dam

Slezská Harta reservoir on the Moravice River in the Jeseníky mountain range offers numerous options to actively spend a summer tourist season. You can not only partake in some sun-bathing and swimming, but also boating, angling, yachting and windsurfing.