On the picturesque banks of the Mumlava River, surrounded by rocky mountains and beautiful waterfalls, lies the Czech town of Harrachov, known all over the world for its first-class ski resorts since the time of the city's founder Jan Harrachov.

He was the first to bring to these lands skis which were extremely popular in Western Europe. Today there is even a whole museum dedicated to the development of skiing in Harrachov. But this quiet and cozy town is famous not only for its ski resorts. Until 1992 the local mountains were actively used for the extraction of minerals, as it is evidenced today by the exhibition of the Mining Museum – one of the main tourist attractions of Harrachov.

This unique museum was opened in 2003 on the first level of the tunnel. You can see a map of deposits, special equipment, and tools used in the mining industry, as well as many old photos of the traditions and lifestyle of brave miners. Besides, you can learn about the entire history of ore mining in the Czech Republic, starting from 1760.

The fascinating exposition of this museum is complemented by an excursion to a former tunnel about a kilometer long, lit, and covered with gravel. There is old equipment that can still be set in motion. Lifting machines and dump trucks, locomotives and loaders are striking in their power and size. The entire tour takes just a little bit more than an hour, but even for such a short time, visitors are advised to wear warm clothes. Besides, the museum will provide a professional protective jacket and a miner's helmet.

The average temperature at the depth of the mine is 7-8 degrees in winter, and 10-12 degrees in summer. The trip to the underground labyrinths will be especially interesting to young children. During the excursion, guides tell young visitors of the Mining Museum a lot of ancient Czech stories and legends about folk heroes and mythical characters.