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Nickel, Chrysoprase, and Opal Mine
Szklary-Huta (Poland)
The Szklary Mine is famous for its rare gemstones: green chrysoprase, milky-white opals, and red carnelians, highly valued by Frederick II the Great, King of Prussia. In 1890, a nickel ore and gemstone mine was launched here and operated until 1993. Today, the site hosts an Underground Educational Route which, thanks to its unique geological and natural features, was granted the status of a "Documentation Site" in 2018—a legally protected geological reserve serving both tourism and education. Worldwide, similar deposits of chrysoprase and opals can only be found in Australia.
Accessibility of the Szklary Mine for wheelchair users
To reach the mine, you must leave the main DK8 road and drive uphill along a damaged, stony path. After several dozen meters, turn left, where you'll soon find an information board: to the left is a small parking lot with a compacted dirt surface, to the right is the ticket office and entrance to the adit.
The Szklary Mine allows visitors with disabilities to explore this tourist attraction only when accompanied by a caregiver.
At the entrance to the adit there are two high steps, which can be overcome with the assistance of the helpful staff. The main corridor floor is flat and not very demanding. However, there is one section—the former fan room—that is very narrow and difficult to pass due to its gravelly surface. Wheelchair users with wider-than-standard wheelchairs may not be able to get through this passage.
Visiting the Szklary Mine
It is recommended to book tickets by phone in advance before visiting the Szklary Mine. Warm clothing is required regardless of the season, as the underground temperature remains constant at around 8°C.
The tour lasts about 100 minutes and involves moving through several sections where the guide explains the minerals found there. At the beginning, visitors learn about the history of mining and metallurgy in the region. One of the highlights is an underground mineral exhibition located in a former nuclear shelter, as well as an area where you can use hammers to break off a piece of rock and examine its details under a microscope. This experience made a big impression on me—nature truly creates astonishing wonders.
Is it worth visiting the Szklary Mine?
I believe the Underground Educational Route may not fascinate everyone equally, even with the guide's high level of expertise. However, if you are passionate about geology and Earth sciences, this place is definitely for you. Discovering this one-of-a-kind site on our side of the globe can be an educational adventure you'll remember for a long time. It's also good that the site is partially accessible to people with disabilities, although improvements could be made. Building a small ramp at the steps and removing the troublesome gravel would not interfere with the scientific value of this fascinating location.
