Remains of the blast furnace plant and the defensive wall in Bobrza

The extremely picturesque ruins of the former blast furnace plant in Bobrza testify to the craftsmanship with which the 19th-century builders created individual objects of the Old Polish Industrial District.

The attention of tourists walking here today is mainly attracted by the remains of the retaining wall. This spectacular building is over 500 meters long. It is about 15 meters high. The width of the entire structure is also amazing - it reaches 5 meters at the base, narrowing at the crown to about 3.5 meters. Nearby you will also find the remains of a factory hall and a coal mine.

The place chosen for the 19th-century industrial plant was not accidental. The industrial traditions of the area date back to the 16th century, when the bishops of Kraków, who were in charge of these areas, brought in Italian steelworkers, entrusting them with the extension of the existing forges.

In the 19th century, Bobrza became the site of one of the key investments aimed at industrializing the lands of the Kingdom of Poland. According to the plans, an impressive metallurgical center was to be built here. Work began as early as 1824. According to ambitious assumptions, 5 blast furnaces with appropriate facilities were to operate here: a capacious charcoal supply warehouse, as well as halls for preparing charge for blast furnaces, a factory hall and warehouses.

These objects were organized on 2 levels, which were separated from each other by a retaining wall erected on a horseshoe plan made of local red sandstone.

Construction proceeded at a good pace - a large part was completed already in 1826. Unfortunately, the work was interrupted by a flood. Another blow to the plant in Bobrza was the outbreak of the November Uprising in 1830.

The following years were also not happy for this assumption. Changes in the technology of iron production, and above all the general departure from the technology based on charcoal, made the investment in Bobrza unprofitable.

The original ambitious plans were therefore never realised. The nail shop operating here until 1863 suffered another misfortune - the buildings were damaged during one of the battles of the January Uprising fought here.

Today, the ruins of the blast furnace plant are one of the objects on the Świętokrzyski Trail of Industrial Monuments.

The picturesque ruins are the venue for many local events, among which the August feast of Świętokrzyski dumplings in Bobrza definitely stands out.

If you're tired, you can rest by the grill and bonfire area.