BLECHHAMMER MUSEUM IN KĘDZIERZYN-KOŹLE

The Museum of the Silesian Fuel Battle "Blechhammer-1944" in Kędzierzyn-Koźle is a facility created by enthusiasts from the "Blechhammer-1944" Association. The museum's exhibition is located in two buildings on the Blachownia estate: in the basement of the "Lech" community centre and in a renovated Salzgitter air raid shelter from World War II. Its subject matter is the history of the construction of German synthetic petrol plants in what is now Kędzierzyn-Koźle, forced labour and the martyrdom of prisoners, prisoners of war

and forced labourers, as well as the large-scale US air offensive against these plants in the second half of 1944.

At the museum, visitors can find unique artefacts and hear stories told by local guides about the US airmen who battled in the skies above the Kędzierzyn-Koźle area. The Opole Silesia region is generally known as an area that saw clashes between German and Soviet forces. US forces operated mainly in Western Europe and the Pacific. Their presence in the region was somewhat of a rarity, which is now the main attraction of the museum. Furthermore, the cultural diversity of the forced labourers, prisoners of war and prisoners gathered here by the Third Reich,

and the memorabilia associated with them, is a little-known fact that is expertly presented in individual sections of the Museum.

In 2023, the Museum received a distinction in the competition for the Best Tourist Product – OROT Certificate 2023.