Local tips
Rudolfov — a mining town Budějovice destroyed and then inherited
Autem 10 min
Today Rudolfov is a quiet little town minutes from Budějovice, but its past is different. Thanks to mining it was once among the largest towns in South Bohemia. It fell in 1619 and a year later the emperor gave it, with its mining privileges, to Budějovice.
Rudolfov is today a quiet town ten minutes from Budějovice. In the 16th century it was one of the largest in South Bohemia: over two hundred and fifty houses, a royal mining office, an imperial name and silver carted to the Budějovice mint. In fifty years little remained — and it was Budějovice that asked for that. Today an educational trail runs here and the royal mining officer's house holds a museum.
Practical details
- Autem 10 min
- Opening hours: muzeum St–Čt 9:00–15:30 · Pá 9:00–15:00 · So–Ne a svátky 11:00–17:00. Naučná stezka celoročně, zdarma
On site
The trail starts at the church of St Vitus and runs five kilometres past three ponds — Královský, Jarval and Mrhal — to Lustenek chateau. Thirteen panels cover mining from beginnings to decline, with period illustrations.
Most interesting is what you do not see at first glance. Traces of mining in the land are unobtrusive shapes you would pass without the panels — of the largest silver field in South Bohemia no landmark remains, only shaped terrain. The three ponds are worth note too: in mining country they are often for water power, not ornament. (A direct link between Rudolfov ponds and mining could not be confirmed from available sources — the trail panels should address it.)
Perkmistrovský dům has an exhibition on early mining in southern Bohemia, colonisation of Rudolfovsko, the peak of silver extraction and mining administration. For comparison: in Jihočeské muzeum (story) coins minted from silver brought from here lie in a case. There you see the result; here the place.
The route ends at a bus stop with the unusual name Na Americe. (The origin of that local name could not be traced. A question for the Mining Museum.)