Old Kralovany tunnel / Starý Kralovanský tunel (Slovakia)
N 49° 09.070 E 019° 06.362
34U E 361893 N 5445987
Old Kralovany tunnel (In Slovak: Starý Kralovanský tunel) is 401 m long and more than 50 years abandoned railway tunnel on main railway track from Silesia to East Slovakia....
Waymark Code: WM6N15
Location: Žilinský kraj, Slovakia
Date Posted: 06/23/2009
Views: 64
Old Kralovany tunnel, 401 m long, was built in 1871 under Sokol Mt. massif on Košice (East Slovakia) - Bohumín (Silesia, Czech Republic) railway in Žilina - Poprad section. Old Kralovany tunnel was in use until 1950, when the new two-track tunnel was built next to this one.
The tunnel was built in majority without lining in light-grey Middle-Triassic dolomitic limestones, the steel-timber lining was used only in 20% of its length. After replacing by a new tunnel this old one was used for several years as storage area for construction of nearby dam at Váh river. But more than 40 years is empty, without rails and with artificially collapsed west portal. You can visit ca 300 m long section of the tunnel, starting at its east Kralovany portal. This part is freely accessible (at one's own risk !!) and is still in relatively good conditions without real danger. Most of the tunnel resemble thanks to the limestone the natural cave with small stalactites...
The entry Kralovany portal of the "Old Kralovany tunnel" is located next to the small parking place at E50 international road 2 km west of Kralovany village.