Złoty Stok is situated at the foot of the Złote (Golden) Mountains, 19 km east of Kłodzko, at the road from Upper Silesia via Kłodzko to the border crossing Kudowa-Słone. The community area encompasses 76 sq km.
It is inhabited by a total of 5,200 people, including 3,200 people in the sole town of Złoty Stok. The community comprises five village administrative units: Mąkolno, Laski, Chwalisław, Błotnica and Płonica. There are bus connections with all villages of the community. At the motorway leading to Paczków there is a local border crossing to the Czech Republic.
One of the main tourist attractions in Złoty Stok is the Museum of Mining and Metallurgy of Gold (Muzeum Górnictwa i Hutnictwa Złota) in the valley of the Złoty Potok. It displays collections connected with the history of gold mining and countless articles relating to the exploitation and processing of the gold ores and arsenic. A very interesting excursion, recommended by the museum, is to the “Czarna” adit where visitors can see a 10m high underground waterfall.
Image by fotoholik-pl on Flickr.com
The entrance is in the upper part of the Złoty Jar. From the cross-sections of the tunnels and their supports visitors can learn about the various mining techniques used over the ages. The trail to visit the adit is shorter than the one in the mine. In the centre of the excavation is the 17th century mine shaft with a metal staircase that descends to a depth of 23m.
A short walk along a curved tunnel is the high-ceilinged underground chamber with the largest underground waterfall in Poland. It is 10m high and one of a few underground waterfalls in this country. A colourful lighting effect on the falling water enhances the charm of this sight and the characteristic noise of the falling water is amplified impressively by its surroundings.This is the only underground waterfall in Poland which, with special illumination, provides visitors with an unforgettable experience.
There is also way more to see in the area. Check out the website www.kopalniazlota.pl, Gold Mine in Złoty Stok (woj. Dolnośląskie)
Do następnego razu… (Till next time…)
