Sankt Joachimsthal – Mining, Spa Tradition and Special Discoveries

Sankt Joachimsthal combines an extraordinary mining history with a spa tradition that continues to shape the town to this day. If you would like to combine culture, a rich local history, water-based activities and cycle paths during your stay, you will find a wide range of options here – from historic churches and museums to educational trails and a public bathing facility.

Mining History and Cultural Discoveries

The exhibition at the Latin School Library features a unique collection of chained books. These works, known as “libri catenati”, are connected with the beginnings of the town of Jáchymov in the early 16th century. The history becomes even more tangible at the Důl Svornost mine: it dates back to 1518 and has been the longest-operating mine in Central Europe since 1530.

Štola č. 1 is approximately 250 metres long and was opened to the public in 2008. Guided tours explain its purpose, original ore-mining techniques and the mineral veins found there. A small exhibition on mining technology displays mine cars, drills and rails; the visitor route also includes authentic mining areas from the 16th century. At the Královská mincovna Museum, the thematic range extends from silver mining and coin minting to the thaler minted under the rule of the Šlik noble family and the later radon spa industry.

Spa Tradition and Water-Based Activities

The combination of mining and spa treatment is a distinctive feature of the town. Four medicinal springs are extracted from the Důl Svornost and used in Jáchymov’s balneotherapy facilities. The world’s first radon baths were established in Jáchymov in 1906. At that time, radioactive mine water from the region was used to treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system – a historical development that you can now place in the context of the town’s history and spa tradition.

The Aguacentrum Agricola is open to the general public. It offers a 25-metre swimming pool, a sauna, a Kneipp path, a whirlpool, a water slide and a smaller pool for children. Alongside the historical attractions, this provides a clearly defined range of water and bathing facilities that can be taken into account when planning a varied day during your stay.

Churches, Educational Trails and Activities

Hornická krajina Jáchymov is one of five Czech components of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří. The town’s history also includes the Špitální kostel, Jáchymov’s oldest surviving architectural monument, with its unique entirely timber-framed construction. The building has retained its original appearance and can be visited at designated times with a guide, as well as during cultural events.

Kostel sv. Jáchyma was built between 1534 and 1540 as the first Lutheran church in Bohemia. After a devastating fire in 1873, it was remodelled into its present form between 1874 and 1876 according to a design by the architect Josef Mocker. For active days, cycle route 2005 starts at the lower end of the new Horní Žďár–Jáchymov cycle path, follows a former railway line to Jáchymov and runs uphill along Dvořákova ulice to the settlement of Suchá. You can discover further destinations in the town via Nové Město and Suchá.

The Radon Educational Trail ends in Jáchymov’s spa district and provides information at several stations about radioactivity in nature, how it is measured and effective ways of protecting against it. The Jáchymovské peklo educational trail is 8.5 kilometres long and has 12 stations. It commemorates the lives of political prisoners from the uranium-mining labour camps in the area around Jáchymov. This educational trail ends at Šlikovský hrad; from there, you can enjoy a wide view of Jáchymov and the surrounding Krušnohorské kopce.

For the overarching travel overview: Karlovy Vary Region.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Klein-Werscheditz, Luditz, Münchhof, Gießhübl-Sauerbrunn, Chiesch, Poschetzau.