Discover Dolní Vítkovice: A Cultural Heritage Site
Once a colossal coal and iron production site in Europe, Dolní Vítkovice now stands as a testament to 19th-century industrial architecture. After operating for 162 years, the Czech Republic’s “Iron Heart” has transformed into a National Monument, with furnaces, coke ovens, and brick buildings being repurposed into museums and art spaces.
A 260-feet-high blast furnace dominates the landscape of Lower Vítkovice, situated in one of Ostrava’s outer districts. This remarkable tower, once capable of producing over a thousand tons of pig iron daily, now offers visitors a panoramic view from its top via a modern glass elevator, showcasing the remnants of this extensive industrial legacy.
Ostrava resembles many Central European cities, featuring a twin-towered cathedral amidst pastel-colored facades in the old town center. Almost identical concrete residential buildings from the socialist era can be seen in surrounding suburbs. From Masarykovo náměstí, the city’s central square, a half-hour stroll leads to Dolní Vítkovice, a site that has underpinned the region’s economy for over a century.
Located on the border between the historical regions of Moravia and Silesia, the Vítkovice industrial complex was established in 1828 by the Olomouc Archbishop Archduke Rudolph Johann of Habsburg. The region’s growing demand for iron facilitated the construction of the first blast furnace, benefiting from the proximity of the Ostravice River and established coal mines.
By September 1830, the structure was producing cast iron. However, with the death of Archbishop Rudolf in 1831, enthusiasm for metallurgical production waned. The new Archbishop ceded control of the complex to Austrian banker Salomon Mayer Rothschild. Consequently, under Rothschilds’ investment, Vítkovice flourished, becoming the only supplier of armor for the Austro-Hungarian Navy. By the turn of the century, the complex virtually monopolized cast iron production within the Empire, achieving significant profits.
During World War I, Vítkovice continued to thrive by producing armaments. However, with the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the establishment of Czechoslovakia, the industry adapted to provide materials for public infrastructure, shaping the new Ostrava. The Nazi occupation changed everything; the German Wehrmacht marched into Ostrava on March 14, 1939. Two years earlier, the Rothschilds had shifted ownership of Vítkovice to a London-based holding in an attempt to avoid confiscation, but this effort failed. Louis Nathaniel de Rothschild was arrested by the Gestapo, and Vítkovice was ultimately taken over by the Reichswerke Hermann Göring in 1939.
After the war, the industry was nationalized, remaining active until 1998. The closure prompted local institutions to devise a plan to handle the extensive complex of iron, brick, and concrete. While demolishing the site would pose environmental threats and erase a significant chapter in Central European history, the decision was made to preserve Vítkovice as a cultural landmark. Since 2001, Dolní Vítkovice has been on the tentative list to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been part of the European Cultural Heritage program since 2008 as the first Czech site on the list.
Today, Vítkovice blossoms with activity, contrary to its past as an abandoned site. In addition to the iconic blast furnace that ferries visitors to the elevated platform, now named Bolt Tower in honor of Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt, Vítkovice features a variety of cafes, museums, and art workshops, breathing new life into spaces once dedicated to iron production. Access to the Vítkovice area is free, providing opportunities for exploration and enjoyment, although guided tours are available to areas closed to the public.
