In this side of Krzyżowa Mountain the ore was mined with the multi pit method. Already in the 15th and 16th century there had been tens of shallow pits here. They were hewn in the plots, delimited according to the Mining Statute, legally binding at that time. The plots belonged to different mining organizations (Gwarectwa), and bigger ones constituted even separate mines.

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The plan of the arrangement of the remains of the old pits and heaps.

This kind of a pit was hewn in the deposit, and the miners tried to reach its lowest boundary. They did not exceeded the depth of 20 metres, since it was very difficult to provide the miners with fresh air in a deeper pit. Much more difficult was also the removing of water that gathered on the bottom.

In the lower part of the pit along the deposit of ore short galleries were hewn. Next, the rock was mined with the use of the top-slicing method, the miners chipped out pieces of the ore from the top. The output was checked and the stones rich in gold-bearing minerals were selected while the rest was left in the excavation.

Thus, the excavation, in a stepping way, relocated towards the surface. The output was carried in wooden basins to the pit where it was carried to the surface with the drawing machine, in wooden pails and leather sacks.

After breaking down of the abandoned excavation a deep funnel appeared. Tens of such funnels you can find on this slope.

The scheme of the ore opening-out exploitation from a shallow pit.

In the 16th century-mines miners worked in 7-hour shifts, according to the mining sentence and customs. The first shift started at 4 o'clock in the morning and lasted until 11 o'clock. On the second shift miners worked from 12 o'clock to 7 o'clock in the evening.

On the third shift miners worked only in the case of a big need. However, when miners wanted to earn more, they worked for 2 shifts. In the 16th century there were about 60 holidays and all Saturdays, Sundays and holidays were free.

The end of every shift was announced by the mining bell. Its sound called the miners of the next shift to work. The miners who were underground and could not hear the bell were informed about the end of their shift by the head miner. He beat a hammer against the frame of the pit.





The drawing shows the slope of this mountain in the 16th century when many pits existed here.