Pribram Tourist Attractions
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At first glance, the former mining town of Pribram does not have much to offer visitors. However, for the intrepid traveler the town of 38,000 has an interesting history and several unique attractions.Pribram has been a center of mining activity for a very long time. Historical records indicate that extraction work has been taking place at Pribram since the 10th Century. Many different types of minerals have been extracted from the rich geology including silver, iron ore, and uranium.Today the mines are closed but the town is worth a visit for its fascinating mining museum that takes visitors underground to the former coal face. Also of interest is the immense Holy Mountain (Svata Hora) shrine created by the Jesuits in the 17th Century.Those visitors interested in the life and times of Antonin Dvorak will find the memorial and museum dedicated to him very interesting.
Mining Museum
The excellent Pribram Mining Museum showcases the mining techniques and history of mining in the region. The museum is situated on the site of a 16th Century mining pit and is near the UNESCO listed Sevcin shaft sunk in 1813. Mining activity has been taking place in and around Pribram since the 10th Century and several exhibits in the museum take visitors through the activities over that time frame.There are four permanent exhibits at the Pribram Mining Museum are; Traditional Crafts and Industry, The History of Mining, The Development of Vertical Mining and Transport, and the Anna Machine Room. There is also a miner's cottage restored to its original condition that showcases the way the minors and their families used to live. Strangely enough there is also a display of toys and puppets on the site.Two of the highlights of the museum are the tour down underground to the coal face - which is definitely not for the claustrophobic. The second is the restored steam engine located in the machine room.
Antonin Dvorak Memorial (Museum)
For those interested in the life and times of famous composer Antonin Dvorak, the Antonin Dvorak Museum and Memorial in his honor is well worth a visit. Housed in a neo Renaissance style manor house built in 1878, the Dvorak Museum showcases elements of the composer's life and his time spent in the area and in the house.It is said that this area including the lake and extensive park was the inspiration for some of his most famous classical works including the opera Rusalka, Symphony #7 in D Minor and the Slovanishe Dances. On display are stage models of Dvorak's most famous operas along with costumes including those used in the opera Rusalka. Concerts now take place on the ground floor, call ahead to see what may be playing.
Holy Mountain
Located at the top of a hill in the city of Pribram, the Holy Mountain (Svata Hora), is a peaceful place rich in history, art, and architecture. Started in 1665 but taking its present form in the second half of the 17th and early 18th, the Holy Mountain is a considered the most beautiful building in Pribram. Interesting items within the building itself are the balustrade of statues of saints, two stunningly beautiful gates, and stucco decorations on the ceiling.The Holy Mountain is reached by taking a covered stairway. The entrance to the stairway is located on Dlouha Street.
