Must visit – The underground city Osowka in Poland

Last updated Sep 18, 2023
The underground city Osowka

A couple of miles from Wroclaw there are several underground cities in the Owl Mountains. This is one of the most interesting underground complexes. Built by the Nazis of Germany as a part of a project “Riese” which means Giant. The most interesting thing is that no one can say for sure what the underground city was supposed to be used for.

A secret city underground in Poland

The underground city Osowka

Prisoners were taken from concentration camps to work in the underground city and specialists from Europe were taken to supervise. Drilling tunnels and creating a city for 1.5 years. Then it all came to a quick stop. Things of value were hidden here and to this day there are speculations about a train that is loaded with gold. However, that has not yet been found!

The underground city Osowka

That this was supposed to be a city is a fact. The problem is that no one can say for sure what the plan was. Was it going to be a shelter? Was it going to be a place where they could plan an atomic bomb? That’s what makes a visit to this place fascinating – that you can’t know for sure. All the information is hearsay from survivors and most (if not all) of them are dead by now. The only thing that we know for sure is that Hitler knew about the city being built and that he had plans for it.

Visiting Osowka – Hitler underground city

There is something about this place. It might be the knowledge of how hard the slaves had to work here. It might be the fact that nobody can tell us why this city was being built. I don’t know but it is a very interesting and important part of history that took place here. Several guided tours are offered each day. You will explore and learn about the history and theories of the underground city. You will see several different stages of construction and a lot of stuff that was left when the city was abandoned.

The underground city Osowka
The tunnels were made in two layers to separate people and machines.
The underground city Osowka

One thing that the guide believes to know is that the underground city was supposed to be one huge place. The thing is that Osowka is just one place where you can go underground and see what Hitler’s people made. Made by forcing prisoners to work during terrible conditions. Project Riese as it is known consists of several different underground constructions that were supposed to become one. Wlodarz is another place that is close to this area that you also can visit.

Which underground city to choose?

The underground city Osowka

We have only been to Osowka because they all have the same history to tell and they are somewhat similar. So why did we choose Osowka and not Wlodarz? Because people told us that Osowka has the most variety to show. Whether that’s true or not I can’t say. However, we decided to believe the locals and chose to visit Osowka. We also heard that there is no reason to visit several because it will all become somewhat “same same”.

In Osowka you can also sign up for an extreme tour that will take you on a boat ride inside the underground city. A regular tour takes about an hour and the extreme tour takes 1,5 hours. And make sure to bring a sweater (or a jacket) because it is about 8 degrees Celsius in Osowka. And different kinds of bats spend some time down here so be prepared to walk some parts without much light (to not disturb the bats). But no worries, you have a helmet so you’re good!

The underground city Osowka

Our visit to Hitler’s underground city

We were lucky to not just get a guide but the Head Director himself, Zdzislaw Lazanowski. We got a cup of coffee while we waited and then we went as a small group into the city. I keep reminding myself to not write cave all the time. I’m not sure but maybe Osowka can be called a cave as well?!

And if you are into (mostly) Polish Movies you might be glad to find out that Osowka is often used as a movie set. And sometimes the movie team ends up leaving some props when they leave. Since Mini and I are not that into Polish movies, we had no idea what movies he was talking about. But still, it’s always fun to learn something new!

The underground city Osowka
They left one of the cars that was used in a movie recorded here

Information about the underground city Osowka

Address: Sierpnica ul, Świerkowa 29d, 58-340 Głuszyca, Poland.
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday 10.00 – 17.00.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 10.00 – 15.30
Price: 32:- zloty for the historical route and 37:- zloty for the extreme route per person.
Website: http://www.osowka.eu
And if you want a tip there is a really nice castle not too far away as well.

6 Comments

  1. Alex

    How did you arrive there? Bus and taxi from Wroclaw? Really want to visit!

    Reply
    • Daniel Majak

      Hello and thank you for reading and commenting on our site.
      We drove to this place with our motorhome so I think the easiest way is to rent a car and drive yourself.
      It is well worth a visit!

      Reply
  2. Diane Julie Armstrong

    when was the Osowka site discovered?

    Reply
    • Daniel Majak

      Hello! The only thing i can find is that work began in 1943.
      Thanks for commenting 😀

      Reply
  3. Patricia Boned

    How did you get the tickets?? Online?
    I am trying to get them but I don´t Know where.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Daniel Majak

      We e-mailed him and called.

      Reply

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