Popular Ema Slag Heap to Offer More for Visitors
One of Ostrava’s favorite natural landmarks, the Ema slag heap, is set to receive significant upgrades to enhance the visitor experience. Frequently visited for its unique views over the city, Ema will soon offer improved trails and infrastructure thanks to a city-led revitalization project.
Ema slag heap. Photo: MMO
The artificial conical heap, with its unique ecosystem will undergo enhancements costing over CZK 7.5 million (excluding VAT). The work, to be completed by mid-July 2025, will be carried out by the municipal company.
“The main tourist trails will be resurfaced with gravel and crushed stone to improve walkability, particularly after rain, when mud and puddles make the paths difficult to use,” explained Aleš Boháč, Deputy Mayor for the Environment. “Drainage and anti-erosion features will be added to sloped sections, and new ponds for amphibians will be built to support local biodiversity. All upgrades are designed to preserve Ema’s natural character.”
Entrance improvements include a new 300 m² gravel area at the access point. Footpaths without curbs will be repaired using gravel and wood chips. Risky trees posing safety hazards will be trimmed or removed, and the main trails will be cleared for safe passage. Two small wooden footbridges will cross existing water mains, and several drainage and erosion-control features will be installed.
Visitor amenities will also be upgraded: five benches at the summit, five wooden seating blocks along the circular trail, seven trash bins, and three informational boards highlighting safety risks due to ongoing thermal activity within the heap.
Ema Heap was created from mining waste near a coal shaft established by Count Wilczek in 1861. It was named after his wife, Countess Emma. Mining ended in 1933, and the heap has been protected as a cultural monument since May 15, 1995. Located on the right bank of the Ostravice River in Slezská Ostrava, it stands over 310 meters tall, though its height gradually decreases due to ongoing subsidence caused by internal heat.
Thanks to temperatures reaching up to 1,500°C within the heap, Ema hosts a rare subtropical microclimate favorable to heat-loving plants and even contributes to the formation of unique minerals. A hiking trail leads to the summit, offering scenic views, visible gas emissions, and insights into the city’s industrial past. On clear days, visitors can see the Beskydy and Jeseníky mountains and even across the border into Poland.