Žacléř – Mining History, Nature and Exceptional Views

Žacléř between Mining History and the Krkonoše Mountains

Žacléř is a destination for anyone who wants to experience culture in close connection with the landscape. The town and its immediate surroundings tell the story of hard-coal mining, porcelain production and regional history, while viewpoints, a beech primeval forest and unusual railway experiences add further highlights.

Museum and Porcelain as an Introduction to the Town’s History

The Městské muzeum Žacléř brings together five permanent exhibitions. They are dedicated to regional history, important personalities, hard-coal mining with a history spanning more than 400 years, the lives of local residents and the porcelain production of the porcelain factory founded by the Pohl brothers in 1878. The museum therefore presents several sides of Žacléř: its industrial past, everyday history and the development of a local branch of production.

This subject becomes particularly tangible in Václav Petira’s porcelain collection. It comprises 800 exhibited objects and documents porcelain production at the Pohl brothers’ factory. Anyone interested in craftsmanship, regional industry or the visible traces of work from the past will find a distinct area of focus within the museum here.

Following in the Footsteps of Mining

The Hornický skanzen Žacléř is the last preserved monument of underground hard-coal mining in eastern Bohemia. In the open-air mining museum, the Štola Jitřenka leads about seven metres below the surface. There, visitors can see and touch two coal seams and learn about the connection between a steel “hajcmanová” and wooden timbering. The site thus illustrates not only the history of mining, but also the different technical elements of underground support structures.

A visit also includes the view from the headframe of the Jan shaft. From there, you can enjoy views of the panorama of the Krkonoše Mountains and Královecký Špičák. Culture and landscape follow one another in a clearly recognisable sequence here: the headframe points to the town’s working history, while the view beyond it leads into the mountain landscape.

Trails, Viewpoints and Historic Sites in the Surrounding Area

The 16-kilometre Žacléřská naučná trasa leads through the history of Žacléř and its districts. At Růžový palouček in Černá voda, it also commemorates J. A. Comenius. A free map of the route is available at the Žacléř Tourist Information Centre. For planning a day focused on history, the route thus provides a connected way to explore several aspects of the town.

In the immediate vicinity of Žacléř, a guided tour of the Dělostřelecká tvrz Stachelberg leads through more than one kilometre of unfinished passages and halls to a depth of 50 metres below the surface. Another highlight awaits you at the Eliška lookout tower: from 1 April to 30 November, it is open free of charge during the day, and in winter when weather conditions are favourable. The view extends over Žacléř, across the Libavské sedlo to Poland and across the extensive Vraní Mountains.

The nearby Dvorský les is also part of the Rýchor ridge. The beech primeval forest stretches at an altitude of almost 1,000 metres and complements the historic destinations with an intensive experience of the landscape.

Active Excursions by Bicycle and Railbike

From spring to autumn, mountain bikes, trekking bikes and road bikes are among the types of bicycles available in Žacléř. The tourist railbikes offer another special experience. In August, their operation in Žacléř was also extended to Fridays. The ride on the actual railway line from Žacléř towards Lampertice offers children and adults an unusual railway experience as well as views of the Krkonoše Mountains.

For further travel planning, you can also compare Hajnice, Čistá V Krkonoších, Velky Vrestov, Prosečné, Libotov, Staré Buky, Chvaleč and Javorník.

For the overarching travel overview: Okres Trutnov.