Grafitový důl Český Krumlov

Graphite Mine in Cesky Krumlov

Useful Information

Location:	Český Krumlov, southern Bohemia. On the outskirts of Cesky Krumlov, follow Chvalsinska street towards Kajov and Prachatice.
Open:	MAY daily 9-15. JUN daily 9-16. JUL to AUG daily 9-17, tours every 30 min. SEP daily 9-16. [2020]
Fee:	Czech tour: Adults CZK 160, Children (3-15) CZK 100, Students CZK 100, Seniors CZK 100, Family CZK 460. German or English tour: Adults CZK 200, Children (3-15) CZK 100, Students CZK 100, Seniors CZK 100, Family CZK 460. [2020]
Classification:	Graphite Mine, proterozoic/paleozoic biogenic graphites in marbles (moldanubic crystallinicum)
Light:	electric/provided.
Dimension:	A=500 m asl, T=8 °C, L=5,000 m.
Guided tours:	L=1,800 m, ST=5, D=90 min, clothing, shoes and lamps provided.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:	L. Tichy (nY): Jihoceske grafity, VEGA-L, cca 1990s, ISBN 80-85627-42-6 ( )
Address:	Grafitový důl a. s., Chvalšinská ul. 243, 38101 Český Krumlov, Tel: +420-380-711199, Fax: +420-388-324421. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

~500BC	mined by the Celts as an additive to ceramics.
13th century	first mining developed around Passau in the Šumava Forest.
~1750	mining started.
1767	graphite mining at Český Krumlov first mentioned.
19th century	start of deep mining.
1946	mine owned by Rudné Doly s.p. Příbram.
1972-1975	Cesky Krumlov mine reopened for mining.
1992	Historic Centre of Český Krumlov inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
1994	mine opened for public tours.
2002	company sold and operates now under the name KOH-I-NOOR GRAFIT s.r.o..

Geology

Several other graphite mines exist in the same geologic structure of the moldanubic crystallinicum. This is an area of highly metamorphic rocks like gneiss, located along the two rivers Danube and Vitava (which is called Moldau in German). So the geologists named the geologic structure between Moldau and Danube moldanubic crystallinicum which is composed of the names of the rivers. The metamorphization - caused by heat and pressure - altered the rocks and some layers of coal too. The coal became graphite.

Description

The small village of Český Krumlov is famous for its graphite deposits. Layers of 1 m to 20 m thickness extend for about one kilometre. At some points this layers reached the surface and were mined as early as Celtic times. During the Halstatt and La Téne period the graphite was used in ceramic production. Modern mining started in the mid 18th century, in the area of southern Bohemia and the Moravian graphite strip. Graphite mining had its heyday at the end of the 19th century, when the mines on the territory of today's Czech Republic were the largest producers and exporters of graphite.

The first graphite mining in this complex is known from the area around Passau during the 13th century. Krumau (Krumlov) is first mentioned in 1767. The Schwarzenberger Graphitbergwerke (Schwarzenberg graphite mines) were opened in the Šumava foothills by the Fördergesellschaft Eggert (Eggert Mining Co.). The Czech Graphite Company opened mines at Hurka.

In OCT-1945 with the nationalization of heavy industry after World War II all South Bohemian graphite mining and processing sites were merged into a single plant based in Netolice. It belonged to the Příbramské rudné doly mine in Příbram. The mined graphite was transformed into concentrate at Netolice, refined, and used for the production of lubricants and emulsions in the chemical plants of Týn nad Vltavou. The treatment plant was modernized in 1987 After the end of the Cold war, in 1993, the company GRAFIT Netolice was established. GRAFIT Netolice mined at the mine Bližná near Cerná v Pošumaví (Schwarzbach im Böhmerwald) and in Ceský Krumlov. The company was sold in 2002 and renamed KOH-I-NOOR GRAFIT s.r.o., but still operated the mine at Ceský Krumlov. It also constructed a new flotation line in Netolice which was completed in 2003.

The tour into a working mine is done with some authenticity. Visitors are equipped with an overall, helmet, gum boots, and a mining lamp. Then tzhe mine is entered on a mine train. It is possible to see the currently used mining equipment, as this is a working mine. But there are also some older tools and machinery from the last 150 years.

Český Krumlov is picturesquely embedded in a double meander of the Vitava river. It is listed on the UNESCO cultural heritage list because of its picturesque buildings and its cultural heritage. The old town center is very well-preserved.