Český Krumlov graphite mine
The most attractive pearl of Český Krumlov is undoubtedly the castle and chateau, not to mention a beautiful walk through the picturesque square, the church of St. Vita or castle gardens. However, it is not only in this beautiful South Bohemian town that awaits visitors. The graphite mine below Český Krumlov is also worth a visit.
Information for visitors
Interesting facts Český Krumlov graphite mine
The history of graphite mines in the area around the city began in the middle of the 18th century. However, the mine in Český Krumlov was not founded until 1975 and became the youngest graphite mine in the Czech Republic. The Městský vrch mine is connected to the Lazec mine and includes more than 13 km of excavated corridors, the ventilation of which is provided by 27 chimneys, which also served as escape routes. Their height is 30-60 m.
Czech explosives were used in the face of the mine and high-quality graphite with a content of 80-90% carbon was mined from the mine. Trucks took the extracted material to Netolice, where the graphite was further processed.
The average temperature in the local shafts usually does not exceed 12 ° C.
Visitors who go on a tour of the mine can enjoy a walk at a depth of 70 meters below the earth's surface, a ride on a mining train or a lecture on what mining work actually entails. Each visitor will also receive special clothing, which includes a mining lamp.
The sightseeing circuit in one of the graphite mines in Český Krumlov is about 2 km long, of which about 1.5 km is taken by train and the rest of the route is devoted to a practical demonstration of mining activities associated with the interpretation. The tour lasts a total of about an hour.
Author: Andrea Štyndlová