The gold of Zlate Hory

The town is located just nearby Polish border, behind the crossing, near Głuchołazy. The gold of Zlate Hory was appreciated in past centuries by bishops of Wroclaw, who disputed over the gold mines, even in Vatican. Today, mineral diggers are coming back here. No wonder. Exactly in this part of the Sudetes, one of the biggest, described nuggets of gold in Central Europe were discovered. They weighed 1,39 and 1,78kg.

The dispute over gold mines

The city was settled about 1200 AD. It was known as Cucmantl, Zuckmantel. Gold mines were secured by Edelstein castle. The rumor about the ore fostered the colonization process, which was led by bishops of Wroclaw. But that’s not all. The whole region was quickly conquered by Władysław Henryk, the Moravian margrave. However, Bishop Wawrzyniec miscalculated, thinking that he would get his mines back. No wonder, because margrave ensured him constantly, that he would do it ‘soon’. Finally, the argument was presented to Vatican. First documents concerning the argument date from 1224. Pope Honorius III firstly admonished the margrave and then, the Czech king, Przemysław Otakar I, that bishop of Wroclaw should be given the land back, on which gold mines were located. However, the ruler didn’t even think about resigning from proceeds. According to historian, Paweł Szymkowicz: the popish speech addressed to conscience of Christian king, was unavailing. That’s why the bishops decided to expand the territory of contemporary Głuchołazy.

The exploitation of the ore

Firstly, the gold was panned off from gravel located on the surface of the land( the right bank of the Bělá river, Sarni stream, Gikerei). Later, cavities and adities were drilled. The yellow ore mainly came from the primary deposits, found on Příčné hoře, over Zlate Hory. First records about mining works are dated from 1224. The biggest and also the most mysterious for contemporary researches was Adit of Three Kings. The hollowing of this one, was started in the first half of year 1550. According to decision of Baltazar from Promnitz, the bishop of Wroclaw, the works on the drainage adit started.The shareholders were i.a. Duke Jerzy II. Legnicki and Brzeski( in 1559 he had a profit from one share- 2 Hungarian zlotys) and Jan from Oppersdorf, hetman of Polish- Raciborz land(8). According to what Czech geologist, Josef Večeřa, claims, the adit was deepened in gravels to South, down to the junction with railroads Głuchołazy- Zlate Hory- Konradów., A big, buried excavation, with a diameter of 18m is situated in front of one of the solitarily standing houses. In 2001 the terrain collapsed on route of the old adit. No wonder. The depth of some shafts was from 20 to 50m. In 1595 the Adit of Three Kings reached the length of over 5km. According to historical data, it is said that in 1557, the ore was found. It contained 33g of gold per ton( today, even fractional amount of gram in ton of rock is enough to take up an exploitation). Whereas, the nuggets of gold found in the end of 16c, were the biggest ones in this part of Europe. They weighed 1,387 kg and 1,787kg.

The probable localization of Three Kings Adit can be noticed on the Polish side. Its outlet was located about 100m from the railroad station Głochołazy- Zdrój(just above the railroad Głuchołazy- Mikulovice). Two hollows can be found here. According to what Josef Večeřa claims, the hollow located East, could have been probably the first adit, which was drilled between 15 and 16c. The length of the bigger adit- the North one- is 60m and the width is 10m. A well with casing located in the adit, could have been used as an air circulation cavity. Today, it is buried with a sludge. It is estimated, that the Adit of Three Kings was 6km long, and in some places was 100m deep. It is one of the most unique technological works of 16c.

100 km of excavations

Mining works in the area of the Zlate Hory have been held at a large scale since the 50’s of 20c. The subject of these exploitation were polymetallic ores- gold, silver, copper, lead. After 1990, a sudden breakdown of profitability of excavation took place. The last excavation of the ore took place on 17.12.1993. It is estimated that the length of underground galleries in the area of the Zlate Hory, reaches 100km . The total of 13 tons of metal ore was excavated here. What happened with inlets to the mines? Most of them were buried. But, with one, small exception. The local spa, Edel, uses the undergrounds for children respiratory system diseases treatment.

The return to golden traditions

Nowadays, Zlate Hory returns to former, mining traditions. A regional museum of gold, located at the main street of a town is worth visiting. Tourist and mining history publications are available at the premises. A tasty food is served by Mineral Hotel. Worth visiting mining museum in Ondrejovice, with live show in wooden replica of mining mill, presents an auriferous ore grinding. How to get there? Take right from the main street of Zlate Hory. Leaving the town, go down the road( passing the old railway station on your right) and then keep right. Enter the forest. The car can be left on the parking either roadside or forest ( the first one- before still operating rail crossing, the second one- left turning, under the viaduct). We reach the destination after about 200m.

A replica of a mill- crusher- just like the ones from Agricola’s pictures is placed by the river. The upper site presents water moving stamps, destined for crushing the ore, by means of mill-wheel. The auriferous output is carried by the barrows to the second site, where it is grated into powder, which can be panned in the river. We have checked it ourselves- the effects are really promising. A competition in gold panning takes place in Zlate Hory. Championship of Czech Republic, Slovakia and Europe were organized here.

Quotes come from book by Marek Sitko - Góry Opawskie