Discovering Adventure: Uranium Mines, Expositions, Labor Camps, and Educational Trails

We’ve drawn you away from boredom with our gold and silver tours; now, let’s dive into the world of Uranium! This fascinating exploration offers numerous experiences. As we search for former uranium mines, uranium exhibitions, and trails centered around uranium mining, we’ll venture through various noteworthy locations, including Příbram, Jáchymov, Dolní Rožínka, Hamr na Jezeře, and Horní Slavkov.

Smolinec: The Discovery of Uranium

Uranium is a silvery-white metallic element, known for being ductile, malleable, and incredibly dense while also being naturally radioactive. Its discovery isn’t recent; mining in the Czech lands dates back to the 16th century. Miners working in silver mines often stumbled upon black minerals resembling some silver ores, which contained little or even no silver. They labeled this mineral pechstein, or the stone of bad luck, since its presence indicated the absence of silver. This led to the Czech name smolinec being adopted. Interestingly, the miners were also unfortunate: at that time, humanity was unaware of the potential of radioactive elements, so pitchblende was discarded in heaps as worthless tailings.

A significant breakthrough towards understanding uranium came in 1789. Martin Heinrich Klaproth, a German pharmacist, while analyzing ore from the George Wagsfort mine in Wittingshall near Saxon Johanngeorgenstadt, obtained a yellow powder through acid treatment and intense heating. He presented his findings that same year to the Prussian Academy of Sciences and named the element after the planet Uranus, which was discovered not long before (1781). Initially called uranite, it was later renamed uranium; however, this was merely a precursor. The first pure uranium metal sample was finally produced in 1841 by a Frenchman, Eugène-Melchior Péligot.

During the 19th century, uranium found applications in coloring glass and glazes, imparting a green or yellow hue. It was mined primarily in the Czech town of Jáchymov and in Cornwall, England. The discovery made by Marie Curie-Sklodowska was groundbreaking, as she isolated radium from pitchblende in Jáchymov. By the early 20th century, radium production had commenced, becoming vital in the medical field.

Uranus from Jáchymov

The era of large-scale uranium mining started post-World War II, largely driven by the demand for radioactive materials needed for nuclear weapons production and subsequently for generating electricity in nuclear power plants. One of the earliest sites for uranium mining was Jáchymov, which tragically became synonymous with death for many forced miners in the 1950s. These labor camps were filled with prisoners of war, forced laborers from the Sudetenland, political dissidents, and others opposed to the regime.

In the latter half of the 20th century, Czechoslovakia established itself as a prominent uranium producer. However, most of its output was sent to the Soviet Union for atomic weapon production under coercive contracts. There was no negotiation regarding supply interruptions or pricing, leading to a substantial financial loss for Czechoslovakia, amounting to several billion crowns. This figure does not account for ecological harm or the billions spent on restoring the mines and surrounding landscapes.

The mining sites Jáchymov uranium and the associated horrors have not been forgotten. In Jáchymov, visitors can tour Stola No. 1, reflect on the Svornost mine, walk the Jáchymov Hell nature trail, and explore an outdoor exhibition dedicated to uranium mining technology. The atmosphere of the former labor camps is further enhanced by the restored Mauthausen stairs, which prisoners once ascended, along with guard towers and other structures.

The Red Tower of Death near Ostrov

An especially perilous worksite in the Jáchymov region was the infamous Red Tower of Death, known as the Vykmanov camp with the codename “L,” which means liquidation. It has earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List, alongside other similar sites in Germany, as part of the Mining Region Erzgebirge, recognized on July 6, 2019. In 2022, an exhibition was launched in the Red Tower of Death, honoring the lives of prisoners in the uranium camp of communist Czechoslovakia.

Příbram and Horní Slavkov: Mines, Trails, Museums, and Alleyways

In the mid-20th century, uranium was mined in areas surrounding Krásno and Horní Slavkov in addition to Jáchymov. The Uranium Golgota nature trail, stretching about six kilometers, traces the history of uranium mining in this region.

In Příbram, the Mining Museum and the Vojna Memorial pay tribute to the history of uranium mining. Additionally, you can explore the only remaining communist camp in the Czech Republic, featuring the Avenue of Freedom. The Geopark of Brda and Podbrdsko offers stunning surroundings alongside the Bitýz uranium mine, which appears as if the miners have just stepped out. The Mining Museum provides tour dates, and advanced registration is necessary. A new exhibition is set to open in early 2026.

Other Locations of Uranium Mining

In parallel to the operations in Jáchymov, Horní Slavkov, and Příbram, other uranium deposits were actively sought. New mines gradually opened, including several in the Pilsen region. Notable mines also existed near Hamr na Jezeře and Stráž pod Ralskem, where uranium mining history is showcased in the Museum of Homeland History in Česká Lípa.

Uranium was also extracted in Vysočina, and the Rožná mine near Dolní Rožínka was the very last of its kind in Central Europe. Established in 1957, the mine extended to a depth of 1200 meters. In recent years, it stood as the sole uranium mine in Europe operating at depths of 1000-1100 meters. Mining at Rožná finally ceased in 2017, and now it is only remembered through the remnants of old mining towers and an exhibition at the Bystřice nad Pernštejnem Municipal Museum.

A Stroll to the Uranium Pear

If you venture into the Příbram region in search of uranium, be sure to visit the ancient pear tree in Drásov. The tree is about 300 years old and stands a short distance from the site of the former uranium mine shaft, which ceased operations around 1964. Remarkably, the pear tree has survived the challenging times and flourishes beautifully. Esteemed as one of the largest and oldest pear trees in the Czech Republic, it won the Tree of the Year 2022 title with 2,452 votes.

Uranium: Properties & Czech Mining Heritage

Elemental Characteristics

• Appearance: Silvery-white metallic luster

• Physical Properties: Ductile, malleable, extremely dense

• Radioactivity: Naturally radioactive, decays through multiple isotopes

Discovery & Early Uses

• 1789: Martin Heinrich Klaproth, German pharmacist, first isolated uranium oxide (“urania”) from pitchblende.

• 19th Century Applications:

  • Coloring agent in glass and ceramic glazes, producing distinctive green and yellow hues.

Czech Lands: Historical Timeline

Marie Curie-Skłodowska & Radium

• Isolation of Radium: From Jáchymov pitchblende, paving the way for medical and scientific applications of radioisotopes.

Soviet Era & Coercive Contracts

• Post-war Czechoslovakia delivered uranium under state-mandated agreements with the USSR, driving production volumes.

Commemoration & Education Today

• Jáchymov Museums & Trails:

  • Outdoor exhibition of historic mining equipment.

  • Guided tours through Stola No. 1 (Mine Adit).

  • “Jáchymov Hell” nature trail, highlighting miners’ working conditions.

• Rožná Mine Legacy:

  • Site closed in 2017; serves as a case study in modern mine reclamation and environmental restoration.

Discover how uranium’s journey—from a 16th-century curiosity to a 20th-century strategic resource—shaped both scientific progress and the lives of countless Czech miners.