Železná Ruda, Border town in Klatovy District, Czech Republic
Železná Ruda is a town sitting at 820 meters elevation in mountainous terrain near the German border within the Bohemian Forest region. The settlement spreads across sloped ground with residential buildings, local shops, and facilities adapted to the landscape.
The settlement started in 1569 as a mining center where workers extracted iron ore from local deposits. Over time, as mining declined, the town adapted its economy to other activities and industries.
The name means 'iron ore' in Czech, reflecting generations of mining work that shaped how people built and lived in this place. You can see this heritage in the town's structure and how locals connect with their surroundings.
The railway station connects the town to larger cities, making travel by train straightforward for visitors. Accommodation options including hotels and guesthouses are available throughout the area, particularly useful for those coming to ski or hike.
The Špičák railway tunnel, built between 1874 and 1877 beneath the mountain, was once the longest tunnel in the country. This engineering achievement enabled train connections across the mountain region and remains a testament to the technical skill of that era.
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