On the outskirts of Tomaszów Mazowiecki, in the former village of Nagórzyce, lies one of the most unusual attractions for children in the Łódź region - an underground labyrinth of corridors that is not a natural cave, but a trace of two centuries of hand labour by sand miners.
Where the underground workings came from
Interest in the sand from Nagórzyce dates back to the 18th century, when local peasants began extracting it using primitive methods and selling it to nearby glassworks. It was moulding sand - a raw material useful both for glass production and for foundry casting. Extraction took place on a large scale at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, and its result was extensive, multi-level workings, dug by hand, tunnel by tunnel, without machines.
For decades after mining ended, the grottoes remained practically forgotten, until in 2002 the ceiling of one of the chambers collapsed. The event forced the authorities of Tomaszów Mazowiecki to act - initially limited to securing the entrances, and eventually leading to the full development of the site for tourists.
How the grottoes became a tourist attraction
Work to open the grottoes to visitors began in 2010, partly thanks to EU funding, and the first tourists entered the underground on 6 February 2012. Today the tourist route covers around 160 metres of secured mining corridor and leads, among other places, to the so-called "royal chamber" - the largest of the chambers, 30 metres long, 25 metres wide and up to 3 metres high.
Visits take place only with a guide, which makes sense - this is still a mining working, not a natural cave with ready-made infrastructure, and a guide can point out traces of the miners' past work that are easy to miss at first glance.
What else to see near Nagórzyce
The grottoes lie close to other natural attractions of the region - a dozen or so minutes' drive from here is the Niebieskie Źródła Nature Reserve with its non-freezing springs, so the two attractions combine well into a single weekend trip.
It is also worth visiting the Pilica River Open-Air Museum, showing the natural wealth of the valley on which Tomaszów itself lies. Anyone looking for more ideas for nature trips in the region will find plenty in the "Poznaj Łódź" (Discover Łódź) section and among the green areas and reserves across the whole voivodeship.
Who the Nagórzyce Grottoes are for
This is a good attraction both for families with children and for lovers of the region's industrial history - it combines an element of adventure (going underground, narrow corridors) with a concrete story about the work of former village residents. It is worth knowing, however, that a constant, low temperature prevails inside all year round, so it is worth bringing a warmer jacket even in summer.
How to plan a visit
Tomaszów Mazowiecki lies about 45 minutes' drive southeast of Łódź, and also has rail connections. Touring the grottoes with a guide usually takes 30-45 minutes, but if the nearby Niebieskie Źródła reserve is also on the plan, it is worth setting aside half a day for the whole trip. Admission to the tourist route is paid, with full and reduced tickets - group sizes can be limited, so in season it is worth checking availability before setting off.
Be the first! Add a comment.
You need to log in to add a comment.
Log in