Hornický skanzen Žacléř

About the museum

Mining has a long tradition in Žacléř. It has been documented in writing since 1570, when the abbot of the Cistercian monastery in Grüssau permitted the search for and mining of black coal in the vicinity of the town. In 1853 the Julie mine was opened; after 1958 a new shaft called Jan was sunk, and the mine was transformed into a modern mining complex. Mining by decision of the state ended on 31 December 1992.

After mining ended, the company Gemec took over the mine and liquidated it by filling the underground workings. As a result, all the surface buildings that served mining were preserved and gradually declared technical monuments. In 2003 the non-profit company Důl Jan Šverma was founded, with the aim of protecting and presenting the mining heritage.

The mining open-air museum was solemnly opened in June of 2012. In 2018 the visitor route in the Jitřenka adit was completed and the extensive coal preparation building was reconstructed. In 2019 social facilities for visitors and a small children’s playground were added. In 2023 the extensive renovation of the Julie shaft buildings was completed, during which the machines were restored and a simulator of the winding engine was created. For this restoration the company received the Patrimonium pro futuro award of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) in 2024.

Visitors see original mining equipment, mine wagons, miners’ tools, the chain-suspended changing room and the tub transport system by which coal was taken out of the mine. The Jan engine house contains a winding engine from 1961, palaeontological finds and an exhibition on mining education in the Trutnov region. From the winding tower of the Jan shaft there is a panorama of the eastern Krkonoše.

Highlights

• Jitřenka adit with two coal seams and a combination of steel and timber support
• Julie engine house with a restored winding engine from 1955 and a simulator
• Jan engine house with a winding engine from 1961 and palaeontological finds
• 52 m high Jan winding tower with a panorama of the Krkonoše
• chain-suspended changing room and tub transport system on the mine site

Permanent exhibitions

• Štola Jitřenka – An underground route only about 7 m below the surface, where two coal seams and a combination of steel and timber support can be seen.
• Strojovny Julie a Jan – Restored winding engines from 1955 and 1961, a winding engine simulator, palaeontological finds and an exhibition on mining education in the Trutnov region.
• Těžní věž jámy Jan – View from the 52-metre tower over the eastern Krkonoše, the Vraní hory and the site of the former mine.

Founded

2012

Operated by

Důl Jan Šverma o.p.s.

Director

Ing. Karel Novotný (ředitel o.p.s.)

Admission & discounts

Payment by bank card is not possible at the open-air museum.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

There is a small children’s playground on the site. In the Jitřenka adit visitors can touch the coal seams. The family ticket covers 2 adults and 2 children.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

Sanitary facilities are available for visitors.

Events & venue rental

• Private parties

The site is occasionally closed for private events.

Plan your visit