By Sarah Thomas
Ostrava, CZ was known for it’s mining and industrial manufacturing industries. As it transitions into a city focused on technology, they are finding ways to preserve their industrial heritage, while making use of the many large facilities left behind.
We were able to visit one such site, the Dolní oblast Vítkovice complex, located on the site of the former Hlubina coal mine, coking plant, and ironworks. It is a unique industrial monument which has become a symbol of Ostrava.
Our team toured the facilities, part of which has been turned into a kind of museum, where we learned about the iron plant, and were able to visit the top of the facility for some fantastic views.
However, the primary new use for this amazing facility is as an entertainment venue. Festivals, concerts and other events are held either outdoors or in the GONG multifuntional auditorium, which is the large round building seen in the photo above. The auditorium is capable of holding crowds ranging from 400 to 1500 people, and hosts conferences and concerts in what used to be a gas container.
Additionally, the complex offers interactive displays on the history of technology in the U6 building.
Based on Pennsylvania’s strong history in the steel industry as well, I found this tour to be enlightening and brought to mind Bethlehem, Pa.’s own SteelStacks, former site of Bethlehem Steel, the second-largest producer of steel in the U.S. They have transformed a similar complex into a 10-acre site for concerts, art, culture, family events and more. It is amazing to see how similar facilities, seperated by more than 4,000 miles and different cultures came to find similar uses.
For more information on Vitkovice’s transformation, please visit : http://www.dolnivitkovice.cz/default/file/download/id/15344/inline/1
For more informaton the SteelStacks in Bethlehem, Pa., please visit: http://www.steelstacks.org
A special thanks to Petra, daugher of my host, Sonia, for translating during this extremely technical tour!
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