FEATURES, ORIGINS, VALUES AND LEGAL PROTECTION
Opatow is one of the oldest settlements of the Sandomierz lands and by the 12th century was the hub of several important trade routes. The process of creating an “underground city” in Opatow started probably in the 13th century and the oldest details of underground architectural come from the 15th century. Beneath the houses, the market square and the streets, the townspeople were digging a maze of corridors and rooms up to a depth of 12 metres and creating 3-storey basements. For the purposes of ventilation vertical or diagonal shafts were dug between floors to prevent moisture forming in the excavations. These cellars, during the 1960’s and 1970's were entered and mapped by the members of the Krakow Caving Tourism Club under the directorship of Stanislaw Nowosielski, an engineer at the Krakow Polytechnic. In 1971, comprehensive action was taken to rescue and protect the underground network but still new sections of corridors and chambers are being discovered. The Opatowskie Cellars was opened to the public in 1984. Themed exhibitions have been organised in the cellars of the tourist route which relate to the city of Opatow and the surrounding areas.

TOUR ORGANISER
Polish Country Tourist Association (PTTK)
Tourist Service Office
27 - 500 Abbot
Plac Obroncow Pokoju 18
Phone: +48 15 868 27 78
http://free.ngo.pl/pttkopatow

ACCESSIBILITY OF FACILITIES BY VISITORS
The Underground Cellars can be visited daily:
During the tourist season from 1st April 1 till 31st October 31
Monday to Saturday, between 09.00 and 17.00
(Entry Times: 09.00, 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 16.00 and 17.00)
Sundays and public holidays, between 11.00 and 16.00
(Entry Times: 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00 and 16.00)
Outside the tourist season
Monday to Saturday, between 09.00 and 15.00
(Entry Times: 9.00, 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00 and 14.00)
Sundays and public holidays, between 11.00 and 15.00
(Entry Times: 11.00, 12.00, 13.00 and 14.00)
The route is closed: New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Corpus Christi, 1st and 11th November and 25th and 26th December.
Advanced booking required for organized groups.
Trail length: around 400m and 3 levels.
Tour takes about 45 minutes.
The route is electrically illuminated.
The internal temperature is about 10° C and humidity is about 75%.
The trail is not suitable for people with physical disabilities.
Guided tours only
We recommend comfortable, athletic shoes and warm clothing in the summer.