Hornické muzeum Rudolfov

About the museum

The Mining Museum in Rudolfov recalls the time when silver was mined in southern Bohemia. It opened in summer 1996 in the building of a former nursery school, which the town used as a multipurpose facility. The founder of the museum was the local chronicler Vratislav Klabouch, who had long studied the history of the Rudolfov ore district. The collections and exhibitions gradually grew with funds from the town.

In 2014 the museum moved into the reconstructed Perkmistr House, which was solemnly reopened on 13 September 2014. The house was built in 1591, when Rudolfov became a free mining town, and served as the residence of the royal mining official, the perkmistr. It is protected as a cultural monument and impresses with its Renaissance façade, an entrance portal with a coat of arms and three sundials. The neo-Renaissance turret with mining symbols dates from 1821. Later the house served, among other things, as an inn, a savings bank and a gendarmerie station; the town office moved out of it in 2009 because of its dangerous state of repair.

The permanent exhibition is divided into several thematic sections: the Beginnings of Mining in Southern Bohemia, the Colonisation of Rudolfov, the Peak Period of Silver Mining, Mining Administration, Attempts at Renewed Mining and State Mining; historical photographs of the town supplement them. The exhibits include models of mining machinery, miners’ lamps, geological samples, copies of mine maps and an alchemical circle from 1589. The building also houses the museum library with a reading room, a multifunctional hall for exhibitions and lectures, and the tourist information centre.

Highlights

• Renaissance Perkmistr House from 1591
• history of silver mining in the Rudolfov ore district
• models of mining machinery, miners’ lamps and geological samples
• alchemical circle from 1589
• museum library with reading room and tourist information centre in one building

Permanent exhibition

• Stálá expozice o hornictví a historii Rudolfova – The exhibition traces silver mining in southern Bohemia from its beginnings through its peak period to the last attempts at renewed mining, and also presents the history of the mining town of Rudolfov.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Město Rudolfov

Admission & discounts

Prices are per person.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

The Kudy z nudy portal states that the tourist information centre in the building has a step-free entrance.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Perkmistr House in the town centre; the address for navigation is Hornická 11/1, Rudolfov.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The information centre offers maps, guides, publications, postcards and souvenirs.

Events & venue rental

The building has a multifunctional hall used for short-term exhibitions, lectures and regular clubs; the rental conditions are not stated on the website.

Plan your visit