The Lime Kiln in Vendryně

In the 19th century, iron ore was mined in Wędrynia for the ironworks in Ustron and later for the established ironworks in Třinec, where wood floated down the Olze River was also supplied.

During this period, limestone was also mined and burnt in the so-called Wopiynki, as the local dialect called limekilns. Limestone was extracted in three quarries and further processed in shaft lime kilns. Repair of the kilns during their use was carried out in a very primitive way. The walls were reinforced with steel hoops and stiffeners.

Coal and limestone were alternately fed into the shaft. The coal served as a heat source for a thermal reaction which gradually ‘burned’ the limestone into quicklime, and the fumes were discharged into the open space through the chimney of the kiln. The charge gradually went down the shaft and the workers were already digging out the quicklime at the bottom. The lime thus burnt was then dispatched to consumers.

The kilns finally ceased production in 1965, when lime mining ended. The kilns remained in place and now serve as a monument for future generations.

Photo source: https://www.kudyznudy.cz/