Founded in 1516 following the opening of its silver mines, Jachymov is nestled in the Ore Mountains’ St. Joachim’s Valley. It was one of the most populous towns in the Kingdom of Bohemia and was even visited by Marie Curie, who discovered radium from Jachymov-mined uraninite ore.
Things to do in Jáchymov
Wander through Jachymov to admire its beautifully preserved buildings, which include the 16th-century Church of All Saints and the first Lutheran church to be constructed in Bohemia - the Church of St. Joachim. In addition to Gothic and Renaissance-style houses, Jachymov’s streets are home to one of the oldest pharmacies in Central Europe.
The town’s mining and minting industries are highlighted at the Jachymov Museum, which was established in 1923. It occupies a 16th-century mint that was designed in a Renaissance style and has been used as a mining school and a metallurgical office throughout the centuries. In addition to detailing the mining process used to extract silver in Jachymov, the museum displays locally uncovered minerals and artefacts from everyday life.
If you’re visiting in the winter months, hit the slopes of Novako Jachymov, a popular ski area that caters to all experience levels. You can rent skis and snowboards or take advantage of the ski school, then ride the lifts up the slopes of the Ore Mountains. En route to the ski area, be sure to stop at the ruins of Schlick Castle, which offers magnificent views across Jachymov.
Getting around Jáchymov
Jachymov is around 15 minutes’ drive from Karlovy Vary and 25 minutes from Karlovy Vary Airport while the much larger Vaclav Havel Airport Prague is 1.5 hours away. Regular buses connect to Jachymov from Karlovy Vary and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.