Blast furnaces of Iron and Steel Works, Ostrava-Vítkovice, Czech Republic.
This plant has been declared an Industrial Heritage Site by the Ministry of Culture and is a unique example of industrial architecture from the first half of the 19th century.
It was founded in 1828 by governor and archbishop of Olomouc, Jan Rudolf, who at the instigation of one of the professors of Vienna decided to build the first puddling furnace, used for refining pig iron.
Also launched the first coke-burning stove in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
This fact was reflected in the lives of the inhabitants live and became a new chapter for the village Vitkovice. Built new housing for workers not only from the surrounding area, but also from more distant areas, such as from Germany.
“Ironworks of Rudolf” was gradually expanded the coke ovens and ore mines and coal mines.
In 1843 the plant was the owner of Salomon Mayer of the house Rothschild. With the aid of knowledge of European experts in the field of metallurgy, grew up in Vítkovice one of the most modern plants in this period in Europe.
The first blast furnace began production in 1836, and the Hlubina coal mine was opened in 1843.
This continued uninterrupted until 1998. Today has been opened to the public.
Thank you Maciek and Remik for the invitation to this trip!:)
