Hrádek - Museum of Silver, Medieval silver mining museum in Kutná Hora, Czech Republic
Hrádek is a Gothic castle that houses two distinct exhibition circuits exploring silver mining heritage through artifacts and recreated environments. One route examines the town's development and prosperity from mining, while the other showcases traditional extraction techniques and the realities of underground work.
The fortress was first built in 1312 as a wooden structure and later transformed into a Gothic residence between 1400 and 1420 under Václav of Donín. This reconstruction coincided with the period when silver extraction reached its peak in the region.
The building reflects how silver wealth shaped this entire town, with exhibits showing the crafts and skills that made the region prosper for centuries. Visitors witness how mining traditions remain woven into local identity through displays of tools and everyday objects from mining families.
The museum sits in a pedestrian area and is easy to navigate; plan time for both exhibition circuits as each has separate admission. Guided tours in multiple languages are available and help visitors understand the complex history and techniques on display.
Visitors on the second circuit can enter an authentic silver mine tunnel while wearing traditional protective gear, experiencing firsthand what miners faced daily. This hands-on encounter reveals how physically demanding and risky underground work really was.
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