Must-sees in town?
The history of Stříbro spans as far back as the Middle Ages. The first mentions of the town speak of the initial awakening of a Medieval settlement towards the end of the 12th century. Maybe you’d think that a town whose name literally means “Silver” would be world-renowned for its mining of the precious ore, but that’s not the case. Instead, the local mine was most famous for lead mining in Stříbřo.
In 1992, the town’s historical centre was declared an Urban Memorial Zone. On Masaryk Square, the Renaissance-era Town Hall from the 16th century, with its stunning sgraffito-decorated façade, is certainly worth a visit. The nearby Renaissance home arches are also noteworthy as they create a unique architectural grouping. In the former Minorite monastery, you’ll find the Municipal Museum, information centre, and art gallery. The museum offers an exposition focusing on this region’s mining history, mineralogy, and archaeology. You’ll also find exhibits here dedicated to Stříbřo’s marksmen, natural history, ethnography, and art. The Municipal Museum also looks after the tower of the Dean Church of All Saints, which provides a beautiful view over the town. Stříbro is then known for what remains of the town’s fortifications, including the town walls and bastions, which memorialise its Medieval character. In the Minorite gardens, you can enjoy a moment of peace or take in the view of the open-air mining museum, the river, and Ronšperk Hill.
Open-air minig museum and the Prokop Royal Hereditary Mineshaft
The Stříbro Open-Air Mining Museum and Prokop Mineshaft are definitely worth a visit. Walking around the museum, you’ll see mining equipment from the past, mine trolleys, hammer drills, various types of buckets, a hydraulic and mechanical tilter, different kinds of loaders, drilling kits, and many other historical displays. There’s even a functioning mine locomotive and a replica mineshaft, where you can see how the mining equipment was used. The museum also includes the mouth of the Prokop Royal Hereditary Mineshaft, which you can discover during the 80-minute-long commentated tour. The mineshaft exposition features mannequins of miners imitating various professions and situations that people would run into while mining.
Our recommendations
If you’re going from Pilsen to Stříbro on foot or bike, we’d recommend taking the St. Jacob Trail. Not only does this path follow the river but you’ll also get to see former military bunkers along the way. Once in town, be sure to visit the cosy Prostor café, located next door to the Municipal Museum.