Exploseum: Former German explosives factory turned into interactive museum

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Exploseum has been awarded numerous awards and the number of visitors is constantly increasing. The museum is an important point at the European Route of Industrial Heritage and a significant memorial site for the events of World War II. Our aim is to further increase the availability, attractiveness and the quality of the museum services not only in the area of cultural and educational activities but also in the matter of modern artistic performance.Prof. Michal F. Wozniak, head of Leon Wyczolkowski District MuseumMore than 1 000 industrial buildings, 400 km of underground passageways and 40 km of underground railways – that is what was left after one of the largest German explosives factory in Poland closed down in the 20th century. Through hard work and EU-funding support, today this site has new purpose.History unveiledDAG-Fabrik Bromberg was built between 1939 and 1945 as part of three German arms factories belonging to Dynamit-Aktien Gesellschaft. The company was established in the 19th century by Alfred Nobel, the famed Swedish chemist who invented dynamite and established the Nobel Prize. Nobel’s factory produced nitro-glycerine and smokeless powder that was then used in the production of ammunition.After World War II ended, the complex remained abandoned and partly destroyed. A group of local military enthusiasts vowed to protection the historical site, and suggested that the factory could be restored and turned into a military museum. Garnering support from the European Regional Development Fund, local authorities and experts from the Leon Wyczolkowski District Muzeum in Bydgoszcz managed to launch a project to open the Exploseum War Technology Centre in July 2011.Under the project, the former military complex DAG-Fabrik Bromberg was adapted for cultural, educational and tourism purposes. An open-air industrial architecture museum featuring an underground tourist route and the Exploseum War Technology Centre DAG Fabrik Bromberg was created.Interactive educationThe museum spans over 19 000 m2 and consists of eight fully renovated buildings and underground tourist route equipped with very modern, interactive exhibition tools. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. Over 130 000 people have visited the museum since its opening.In addition to an exhibit presenting a military nitro-glycerine production line, equipment used by German soldiers during World War II, and chemical and nuclear weapons, the museum also features the history of Nobel’s inventions. Other exhibits unveil the history of factory workers, and provide details on the Polish Home Army conspiracy networks and the Red Army invasion. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and school visits.Total investment and EU fundingTotal investment for the project “Open air industrial architecture museum with an underground tourist route and Exploseum War Technology Centre DAG Fabrik Bromberg in Bydgoszcz” is PLN 8 383 182 (approximately EUR 1 936 386), of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing PLN 5 333 316 (approximately EUR 1 231 481) from the Operational Programme “Kujawsko-Pomorskie” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.