Before revitalisation
The Centre for Climbing and Strength Sports and the Bytom Dance and Movement Theatre „Rozbark” were established on the site of the former „Rozbark” coal mine. The first mention of the local inhabitants undertaking the extraction of a valuable resource is estimated to be in 1828. In 1855 Hugo I Henckel von Donnersmarck – an Austrian aristocrat born in Siemianowice Śląskie, an industrialist and one of the richest men of his era – decided to purchase and register a mining field. However, it should be pointed out that a milestone in the early days of the Rozbark mine was the activity of the Friedlaender brothers, who consolidated the mining fields in the region. The mine changed owners in the following years, as Piotr Rygus writes: „In 1890 the plant was bought by the concern 'Giesche Erben’ one of the largest zinc producers in the world. After the Second World War the plant was renamed 'Rozbark’. In 1971 it was merged with the neighbouring „Łagiewniki” mine. Finally, coal mining ceased in July 2004″.
After revitalisation
The Climbing and Strength Sports Centre is one of the most modern climbing facilities in Europe and the largest in Poland. It is one of the most important investments made on the former coal mine site and has certainly changed the face of Rozbark. Inside the post-mining buildings, attractions have been created to suit all climbing and gym enthusiasts of various levels. The indoor climbing walls have been fully accessible since November 2021. At the Climbing and Strength Sports Centre, the residents of Bytom, as well as all climbing enthusiasts, can enjoy the newly opened indoor and outdoor climbing walls of more than 3,000 square metres, as well as an outdoor and indoor bouldering area, a parkour zone, street workout, an off-road running track, an outdoor gym, an indoor gym, a conference and hotel building, fitness classes, cross training or a sauna. For fans of challenging workouts, system walls have been created – kilterboard and beastmaker. The building also includes attractions for the youngest, such as a bouldering room for children, where the youngest can take their first steps in climbing. A recreational rope climbing area has also been created. On the first floor, on the other hand, you will find the „Gryfny wspinanie” (climbing fun zone) – a separate area fully intended for the youngest adepts of climbing and colourful, graphically attractive illuminated walls.
