The graphite mine of Český Krumlov
Journey to the centre of the Earth, ten minutes by train to the inside of the rock. It is a huge experience for both adults and children. It is offered by the Graphite Mine in Český Krumlov.
The Celts already knew it. Then, in the 18th century, peasants discovered it in the Czech border region and began trading with it. Of course, they had no idea that they had a raw material in their hands that would one day become part of every household – not only in pencils, but also in the electric motors of small appliances. The treasure is called GRAPHITE.
It was mined in the Krumlov region by the Schwarzenbergs and the Porák brothers. The landscape as well as the people began to change – Czech mining technicians came to teach Germans in the Czech border regions how to mine properly. Many of them remained, they found not only their apprentices but also their wives there. Then, in the 20th century, people came and left the border regions and graphite connected them all. Mining was not ceased and a relatively new mine, which is now a tourist attraction, was in operation from 1975 to 2003.
Even though there is no mining there today and the train carries visitors from the Czech Republic and abroad instead of miners, it still looks as if the miners should start work after the weekend and then leave, dirty of graphite, which has never been worked out by anybody.
Source: Lomy a těžba
