Excursions Overview

We warmly invite all conference participants to join a technical excursion on Tuesday, July 8, held in the campus of VSB – Technical University of Ostrava. The excursion will offer a unique insight into cutting-edge technologies and facilities used in research, innovation, and modern production systems.

Start time: 17:30
Meeting point: IT4Innovations building, VSB campus

The excursion will consist of two main parts:

1. Visit to the IT4Innovations National Supercomputing Center

   The program will begin with a guided tour of the IT4Innovations National Supercomputing Center, home to some of the most powerful supercomputers in Central Europe. The center provides high-performance computing (HPC) services to academia, industry, and public administration, supporting advanced research in fields such as engineering, material science, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.

   Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the infrastructure, operation, and current projects of the supercomputing center, including the Karolina supercomputer, which ranks among the top systems in Europe.

2. Smart Factory and Smart Home Demonstration

   The excursion will continue with a visit to the CPIT TL3 Smart Factory, a testbed and demonstration environment for Industry 4.0 technologies. The Smart Factory showcases robotic systems, digital twins, and automation processes used in modern manufacturing.

   Following the factory tour, participants will explore the Smart Home demonstration space — a model of a modern, sensor-equipped apartment. The smart home illustrates how intelligent systems can support daily living through automation, energy management, and assistive technologies, with a focus on sustainability and user comfort.

The second technical excursion will take place on Wednesday, July 9, and will take us to one of the most iconic industrial heritage sites in the Czech Republic — the Lower Vítkovice Area (Dolní oblast Vítkovice).

Departure: 17:15
Meeting point: bus stop near the Faculty building, VSB campus
Transportation: chartered bus

Visit to the Lower Vítkovice Industrial Complex

The Lower Vítkovice Area is a former ironworks complex that has been transformed into a unique cultural and educational center. Once a symbol of Ostrava’s heavy industry, the site now serves as a vivid example of how industrial heritage can be revitalized for the 21st century.

Participants will take a guided tour lasting approximately 2 hours, which will include visits to preserved blast furnaces, gas holders, and other industrial structures. The tour offers an immersive experience of the site's historical and technological significance.

Please note: Part of the tour includes movement at elevated heights, such as walkways and observation platforms within the former industrial structures. While the paths are safe and equipped with railings, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes and considering any personal limitations regarding heights.

Evening Dinner in the City Center

Following the tour, the group will be transported by bus to the historic city center of Ostrava, where a buffet-style dinner will be served at the Plzeňka U Staré radnice restaurant. The dinner will provide an opportunity to relax, enjoy the evening atmosphere, and continue informal discussions with fellow participants.

The final technical excursion will take place on Thursday, July 10, and will offer a truly memorable experience: a visit to the Landek Park Mining Museum, the largest museum of its kind in the Czech Republic.

Departure: 15:00
Meeting point: bus stop near the Faculty building, VSB campus
Transportation: chartered bus
Excursion duration: approximately 2 hours

Part I: Mine Rescue Station Exhibition

The tour begins with a visit to the Mine Rescue Station exhibition — a truly unique facility that presents the history, equipment, and heroism of mining rescue operations. This specialized organization plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of miners, often intervening in some of the most dangerous underground situations. The exhibition includes authentic gear, breathing equipment, and interactive displays that highlight both the technological advances and the human stories behind this extraordinary profession.

Part II: Descent into the Historical Coal Mine

In the second part of the excursion, participants will descend into the original mining tunnels, where black coal was extracted for centuries. This underground tour offers a rare opportunity to explore the authentic mining environment — narrow corridors, machinery, and shafts used by miners in their daily work.

The Landek site is not only an industrial monument but also a place of great archaeological and historical significance: the area has been inhabited for over 25,000 years, and coal from this site was already used in prehistoric times. During the guided tour, you'll learn about the evolution of coal mining, the impact of coal on the development of the region, and the daily lives of miners throughout history.

Conference Dinner at Bistropen

After the tour, the group will move to Bistropen, an atmospheric restaurant located within the Landek Park complex.

Housed in a former stable building over 100 years old, Bistropen is one of the oldest structures in the national heritage area. Severely damaged by fire in 2012, only the outer walls remained. The building was later brought back to life by renowned Czech architect Josef Pleskot, who preserved its original spirit while giving it a contemporary architectural expression.

Here, participants can look forward to a dinner featuring traditional Czech cuisine in a setting that blends industrial history with modern design.

Departure back to VSB campus is scheduled for 21:15.