Science and Industry

Ostrava was not a significant town for the first thousand years of its history. In the 1800’s, coal deposits were discovered in the area and heavy industry boomed. One of the old steel mills near downtown was rebuilt over the past 5 years into a center for science and industry. We went up the Bolt tower on top of the old blast furnace and then into one of the coolest science centers we've ever visited.

 We rode the tram in from the neighborhood we were staying in (Trebovice) and, one transfer later, were walking through the former industrial site. It was even busier than the last time I was there. A set of buildings have been turned into artists' studios, and the old blast furnace has been topped with a walkway and cafe.

 At the very top, we were treated to a view over the entire Vitkovice area to the city center. We spiraled up the "Bolt" thread to the very top, which had a glassed-in wall so that you could enjoy the view out of the wind. We walked back down the spiral to the cafe and had a cappuccino with cake. 

 After enjoying the view over Ostrava, we checked out the new science center. School had just started, so we just about had it to ourselves! We pushed ourselves into the pin wall, M got a virtual PET scan, we played with harmonics, contributed to the carving of a sculpture, and climbed a polygonal model tree. On the way out, we even got to see a MIG!