Discover the Silver Treasures of the Czech Kingdom: From Mines to Mints

Even though the Bohemian lands were relatively small, they were known for having an incredibly rich variety of mineral resources. In the Czech Middle Ages, silver was one of the primary metals alongside gold. The Celts are said to have mined it first, and later, the Czech Kingdom became influential in creating mining laws due to the silver mines located in Jihlava and Kutná Hora. However, the oldest silver mine in the Czech Republic is found elsewhere. The town of Stříbro hints at this: it was likely the first mining area, with reports indicating silver mining activity dating back to 1183 and 1186, which is earlier than any records from the Ore Mountains or Saxony. Stříbro is also home to the oldest documented silver mine, with mining activities recorded as far back as 1188. There, you’ll find the Mining Museum at the old Royal Hereditary Adit Prokop, featuring an impressive collection of mining machinery, and visitors can also explore the underground tunnels.

Jihlava, the silver treasury of the Highlands

Starting in the 13th century, silver mining thrived in and around what is now Jihlava in the Highlands. The ore district was expansive, stretching from Polná in the north to Třešt’ in the south, and west to Třešt’. It also reached as far as Vyskytné and to the east towards Lukám nad Jihlavou. Archaeological digs have unveiled not only mine ruins but also mining communities and smelting areas where ore was refined. The old mine workings can be explored through mapped nature trails, and the exhibit at the Museum of the Highlands is fascinating and showcases various silver artifacts. Visitors can see this displayed prominently in Masaryk Square in Jihlava’s center.

The wealth and power of the local residents are highlighted by the exhibition known as the Gate of the Mother of God, along with ruins of medieval defenses, impressive townhouses, and the Gothic-style churches like St. Elevation of the Holy Cross. The city’s rich silver history can also be experienced through a visit to Jihlava’s underground passageways, which, while not formed by mining, are nearly as ancient and are also celebrated by Jihlava’s mining parade. This tradition, revitalized in 1999, has roots in the 19th century, when a miners’ parade was part of the Midsummer procession to St. John the Baptist Church, regarded as the shrine for local miners.

Kutná Hora, Osel Mine and the Czech Museum of Silver

By the end of the 13th century, Kutná Hora experienced a Silver Rush. Initially, like in the Highlands, miners extracted silver from open-pit mines, but eventually, they had to dig deeper and purify the extracted materials. From 1290 to 1350, the Kutná Hora silver district was responsible for approximately 55 kilograms of pure silver produced daily, which accounted for about a third of Europe’s silver supply at that time.

The prominent mine in Kutná Hora was the Osel Mine, established in 1363. Its fame led to a saying that went, “As long as the Donkey roars, the Mountain will stand firm.” Thankfully, Kutná Hora remained intact after this saying faded: in 1541, the mine was flooded and couldn’t be pumped dry.

Where exactly was the Donkey located? Most likely beneath the iconic St. Barbara’s Temple, the renowned protector of miners—after all, the magnificent Gothic cathedral’s construction was funded by the silver mined in Osel. To give you an idea, the mine wasn’t just important; with depths ranging from 616 to 662 meters, it was the world’s deepest mine around the transition between the 15th and 16th centuries. The Vlašský dvůr in Kutná Hora was also home to a Royal Mint, where silver coins known as Prague grosz were minted, which were widely recognized as currency during the Middle Ages.

The Czech Museum of Silver will provide insights into the town’s history, the ore mine, and the Kutná Hora mint. One of their tours includes a mining settlement and an authentic 250-meter long corridor of the original medieval mine featuring historical technical equipment. This “city of silver” also draws in fans of adventure games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, which expands its story beyond just Kutná Hora.

Jáchymov silver thalers

By the 16th century, silver mining was taking place in multiple locations from southern regions like Český Krumlov, and the Rudolfovsky district located near České Budějovice, stretching through Nalžovské Hory, Stara Vozice, and Ratibořské Hory to the Krkonoše and Krušné Hory. Silver mines could be found in areas such as Abertamy, near St. Catherine’s Mountains, and places like The grave, while silver was also extracted from mines like Lehnschafter in Mikulov, Vejprty, and Bozi Dar. The discovery of silver led to the establishment of Jáchymov in 1516, where the Šlik family began minting Jáchymov thalers in 1519—coins that eventually inspired the name for modern dollars.

The Svornost Mine deserves mention as well; today, it is recognized as the world’s oldest uranium mine and provides radon water for the Jáchymov spa. However, long before uranium, silver was the focus here: the mine’s tunnels spanned over a hundred kilometers, and it yielded the richest silver veins found in the Jáchymov region.

The deepest mine in the world was in Příbram

However, the Czech Kingdom truly became a prominent name in silver mining not because of Jihlava or Kutná Hora, or even Jáchymov, but due to the silver hidden in the mines of Březové Hory, now part of Příbram. Interestingly, a prophecy from Princess Libuše reportedly foretold the riches of this location: “I see a hill of birch, which is full of silver.”

During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Březové Hory was responsible for producing up to 97% of all silver in Austria-Hungary. On May 8, 1875, miners at the Vojtěch mine became the first globally to reach a depth of 1,000 meters vertically. For many years, the Příbram mines were among the deepest in the world.

When you visit the local Mining Museum, you’ll learn many details about silver and lead mining, which continued here until 1978. You can walk through several tunnels, and there’s even an exciting train ride available through the 260-meter long Prokop Gorge, which was established at the Prokop Pit in 1832. With a depth of 1,600 meters, it remains one of the deepest shafts in the Březová Hora region and Central Europe.

Silver: what don’t you know about it?

• • The largest silver object in the Czech Republic is a silver tombstone dedicated to St. John of Nepomuk located in the choir of St. Vitus Cathedral, Wenceslas, and Vojtech at Prague Castle. This stunning piece was created by the Viennese silversmith Johann Joseph Würth between 1733 and 1736, following the passing of the beloved Czech saint, more than three centuries after his death.

• • It is thought that nearly one and a half million tons of silver have been mined all around the globe so far.

• • Currently, the Czech Republic is estimated to hold 534 tonnes of silver reserves, with the main deposits found in Horní Benešov, Horní Město, Kutná Hora, Rudě u Rýmařova, and in the Golden Mountains.

• • Presently, the majority of silver mining occurs in Mexico, China, Peru, Australia, and Chile.

• • Silver has a wide range of applications: in addition to being used to make jewelry, it also plays a significant role in the electrical and photography sectors, healthcare, and various other industries.