Hornické muzeum Příbram

About the museum

The Hornické muzeum Příbram traces its origins to the Krajinské muzeum v Příbrami (Regional Museum in Příbram), founded on 12 December 1886 by the teacher and local researcher Ladislav Malý. From the beginning, the collections included archaeological finds from the Celtic, medieval and early modern periods, mining tools, minerals, mining uniforms, banners, models of mines and old mine maps. Part of the older mining collection had been on public display since 1852.

In 1954 and 1955 the Národní technické muzeum v Praze (National Technical Museum in Prague) took over the mining collections of the former state mines, and two years later it obtained a building near the Ševčinská šachta for a new mining museum. From 1963 the mining exhibition was part of the Okresní muzeum v Příbrami (District Museum in Příbram). A long-term plan, under which the sites of Ševčinský důl, Důl Vojtěch and Důl Anna were to be preserved above all, was drawn up at a seminar in 1973 on the initiative of PhDr. Jiří Majer, and the Ševčinský důl exhibition opened to the public in 1978.

Between 1998 and 2003 further underground routes were added, for example the Prokopská štola and the water wheel in the Drkolnov mine. Between 1999 and 2004 branches were established: Památník Vojna, an open-air museum in Vysoký Chlumec, the Muzeum zlata in Nový Knín and the Muzeum Špýchar in Prostřední Lhota. From 1 January 2003 the institution returned to its historical name, Hornické muzeum Příbram. Today it is a contributory organisation of the Central Bohemian Region and is among the largest mining museums in Europe.

Highlights

• ride on the mining train and a tour of the Ševčinská štola
• giant water wheel, 12.4 m in diameter, underground in the Drkolnov mine
• underground tour of the Anna mine: Prokopská štola, Wasserlauf and Jánský důl
• headframe of the Ševčinský důl with a gallery at a height of 27 m
• mineralogical collection with the largest mined piece of silver in any Czech museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Z dějin příbramského hornictví – The exhibition in the mining changehouse of 1880 traces the history of mining in the Příbram region, from prehistory to the end of mining at the close of the 20th century. You will also find the oldest written mention of Příbram, from 1216, and evidence of uranium mining.
• Ševčinská šachetní věž – The tower from 1879 houses three exhibitions on the development of vertical underground transport, drilling technology and the Březové Hory ore district. From the gallery at a height of 27 m there is a view of the surroundings.
• Mineralogicko-geologická expozice – In the administrative building from 1885, minerals from the Příbram ore district are on display, including the largest mined piece of silver in any Czech museum, weighing 11 kg, and a palaeontological exhibition.

Founded

1886

Operated by

Středočeský kraj (příspěvková organizace)

Admission & discounts

The price of CZK 60 applies to each tour route separately (basic admission). Admission is also free for holders of AMG, ICOM, ZMS and Deutscher Museumsbund cards, and for employees of the regional office of the Central Bohemian Region. Children’s homes and holders of a Pěstounský pas (Foster Care Pass) enter free only for the Ševčinský důl route, for collecting samples at the spoil heap and for the Geopark. Holders of a Rodinný pas and a Senior pas receive a discount. The Edenred (Multi, Ticket Sport&Kultura) and UP (Cadhoc, Unišek+, Unišek+ FKSP) vouchers are accepted. Payment is possible in cash or by card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free access is only to part of the exhibitions. The Wasserlauf and Jánský důl tours are physically demanding; Jánský důl involves a ladder and a narrow adit and is not suitable for people with limited mobility or claustrophobia.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The mine train ride and the slide in the Ševčinský důl are popular with children. The family ticket costs CZK 150. Children may go underground from 3 years, and on some routes from 6 years.

Getting there & parking

The museum lies in the Březové Hory district, about 2 km west of the centre of Příbram. From all approach directions, the route to the museum is signposted with the road sign IS 24b (cultural and tourist attractions).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit