The Bełchatów Brown Coal Mine
On the grounds of the Kleszczów commune you'll find a huge hole in the ground — the Bełchatów Lignite Mine. Since 1980, the mine has been continuously extracting tonnes of brown coal, whose recipient is the Bełchatów Power Plant. The reserves of the entire Bełchatów deposit (2 billion tonnes), in line with the plan for their development, will be used up by around 2038.
The Bełchatów mine is the largest in Poland and one of the largest opencast mines in Europe. The mine grounds can be observed from three viewpoints. The first is in Kleszczów, the second in Żłobnica and the third on Mount Kamieńsk. Unfortunately, because of the enormous forest at the top of the mountain, the mine is practically invisible.
The mine looks just as interesting at night. I recommend viewing it from the viewpoint in Kleszczów, from where the power plant itself is best visible. With a bit of luck we may manage to observe the great excavators at work, which are very nicely illuminated.
Fairly close to the mine you can see the Elk from the Forest.
View related articles
Lundon! There's Lądek, Lądek Zdrój, yes…
One day, sitting quietly at my computer, I met Kaja. A strange chain of events led me to decide to visit her in Seville, Spain. I planned my trip so as to see London along the way — the city that has become a paradise of riches for Poles.
The Old Market Square in Łódź
As tends to happen at the end of the year, a little grumbling is in order. That Łódź is a different city from all the rest, I probably no longer need to prove to anyone. Sitting in front of my computer, I realised yet another fact that sets this place apart. We have no Old Market Square!
Foggy Wanderings Around Łódź
Some time ago I went on night-time wanderings around Łódź. The city seemed to me empty, sad and gloomy then. On a certain foggy evening I wanted to set out again and capture the beauty that Łódź hides somewhere within itself.