Šance Fortifications Visitor Center

The border region of Silesian Beskids is a region with a rich history. An important historical element connecting the region of the Czech-Polish-Slovak border is the Šance fortification system, which was built at the end of the 16th century. It consists of many elements of the fortifications from Koniakow, Hrčava, Studeničné, Čierné and Svrčinovec all the way to Mosty u Jablunkova, where was the main base. Near this fortification is the new Visitor Center. The Visitor Center building was built as part of the joint Czech-Slovak project Geopark Megoňky - Chance co-financed by the European Union from the ERDF within the INTERREG V-A SK-CZ 14-20 program, "TOGETHER WITHOUT BORDERS", registration no. 304021C821. More about the project here.

In this newly built, stylish building (completed in 2019), which corresponds to the historical essence of the fortification system, a new interactive exposition is being created. This exposition introduces the visitor in an unusual, novel and entertaining way to the history of the Šance fortification system. The Šance Fortification Visitor Center is located in the area of the former 16th century fortification in the local area of Mosty-Šance. Interactive activities are aimed at families with children and school, but even adults will get entertained. Everyone can try, for example, how cannon works, how gunpowder is produced, how the historical music sounded like, how to build a fortress, and will play themed electronic games and tactile activities. They can even view a 3D model.
More information can be found on the website www.opevneni-sance.cz.

The operator of the Šance Fortification Visitor Center is GOTIC, contributory organization. An organization with 12 years of history and experience in operating the Tourist Information Center in the center of Mosty u Jablunkova, operating an interactive museum in "Dřevěnka na Fojtství", which is aimed at promoting Gorol folk customs and traditions. Since January 1 2020, GOTIC is the operator of the newly established visitor center. The combination of the Tourist Information Center and the Visitor Center under a single organization (GOTIC) will significantly contribute to easier promotion through the network of information centers and established promotion system. Unlike the Visitors' Center, TIC is located in the very center of the village, so it can intensively address visitors to the village and inform them of a new product aimed largely at families with children. For this group of people there is still a lack of activities in Mosty u Jablunkova, especially in times of bad weather (most of the activities offered in the village are outdoor).

The equipment of the center and the selection of interactive elements are designed with the aim of bringing the visitor in an unusual, novel and entertaining way into the history of the operation of the Šance fortifications, which forms a unique history, and explain the need and importance of this fortification. The equipment available at the center and the selection of interactive elements is designed with the aim of introducing the visitor to the history of the functioning of the Chance fortification, which forms a unique history, in a non-traditional, unique and entertaining way. The acquisition of an interactive exhibition was carried out within the project: "Fortification of Šance - a common history that unites to this day", registration number CZ.11.2.45/0.0/0.0/16_010/0002274, which is co-financed from the FMP Euroregion TS - ŚC Program Interreg V-A 2014-2020 CR-Poland. More about the project here.

The interactive exhibition will be divided into several topics:

Topic: Electronic backlight model
- It will contain a drawing of the fortress in its current state with photos from each part of the fortress, with descriptions of elements occurring in the fortress at the edge of the table. Each description will have a button that, when pressed, will light up a photo of the object, the location on the map where it is located, and an illustration of how it might have looked during the fort's operation
- "Quiz drawer" - electronic files with questions from the history of the fortress, the correct answer is highlighted by pressing others
- Drawer "Music in the Army" - audio and video samples. It will include illustrations and a short caption with military musical instruments - drums, bagpipes, whistles. It will be presented here that over the course of history, music has been used not only to indicate the marching rhythm, but also to use the instruments to give commands during the battle.

Topic: Ballistics
- Interactive table with two spring cannons of approx. 25 x 15 x 10 cm and a fortification wall. Visitors will be able to try shooting the fortress wall with small wooden / plastic balls and try to hit over the wall. The cannons will only be tilted vertically to prevent shooting off the table. The rear wall of the table will end with a canvas so that projectiles don't fly around the room. The table will be accompanied by graphics with the principle of ballistics and bombardment of the fortress.
- Drawer "Gunpowder production" - powder boxes with raw materials for the production of gunpowder (saltpeter, sulfur, charcoal). Powder boxes will be secured so that the visitor cannot open them. To understand gunpowder production, it will be supplemented with graphics with interesting facts and comics scenes from gunpowder production – e.g. that saltpeter was obtained from urine etc.
- Drawer "Cannon Balls". In the drawer there will be a demonstration of several cannon balls on the rope. In addition, the drawer will contain graphics with the development of artillery during the functioning of the fortress.

Topic: Touch Table
- On the table will be placed touch models - musket cut with functional lock (it will be possible to test the functionality), flint and steel, wooden shovel with forged toe, morgenstern, glass grenade. Each exhibit will have a label or a brief explanation of its purpose.
- Drawer "Magnetic Jigsaw" - will contain the magnetic jigsaw of three soldiers from the three periods of the fortress. In the background there will be three silhouettes of soldiers on which it will be possible to assemble the puzzle. Each silhouette will have a brief description of the soldier.
- Drawer “Movement illustrations from the life of the fortress” - The drawer will contain three movement illustrations where you can move a part of the illustration and thus change the plot.

Touch games for young and old
- They will be placed in storage boxes of cabinets or directly in the area of the visitor center and it will be possible to carry them into the outdoor environment.
- 3x large-size puzzles on milled plywood showing world forts (e.g. Palmanova, Hamburg, Bourtagne - will be specified during realization)
- 6x wooden jigsaw puzzle consisting of cubes of bastions, ravelins, curtain walls and gates from which visitors can build a fortress.

The operator of the Šance Fortification Visitor Center is applying for inclusion in the tourism product "TECHNOTRASA, raw beauty". It believes that it will become a full member in the first half of the year, as a part of the "Commitment, Pride and Courage" line focusing on defense-related monuments and places. Technotrasa is one of the key products of the tourist region of North Moravia and Silesia, whose foundations were laid by the Industrial Attractions in the Moravian-Silesian Region project, implemented in 2012–2014. At present, its development is supported by entities from both the commercial and non-commercial spheres, which presents visitors and residents a unique technical heritage and the present-day Moravian-Silesian Region.

The Šance Fortification Visitor Center:
Address: Mosty u Jablunkova 1165
+420 596 412 068, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
open to the public: Mo-Fr: 9.00-16.00
www.opevneni-sance.cz, 

Opening hours
Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:00, lunch break 11:15 - 12:15
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 11:00 - 16:00

April
Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:00, lunch break 11:15 - 12:15
Saturdays: 10:00 - 15:00

November-February:
Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:00, lunch break 11:15 - 12:15

Large groups, please contact the above contacts. Thank you.

Contact on the operator and more information:
GOTIC, příspěvková organizace
Gorolské turistické informační centrum
Mosty u Jablunkova 381, 739 98
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +420 558 341 586
www.gotic.cz, 

The acquisition of an interactive exhibition was carried out within the project: "Fortification of Šance - a common history that unites to this day", registration number CZ.11.2.45/0.0/0.0/16_010/0002274, which is co-financed from the FMP Euroregion TS - ŚC Program Interreg V-A 2014-2020 CR-Poland. More about the project here.