Mauritius

Mauritius Mine is a historic tin mine in the hamlet of Hřebečná near Abertamy, in the Czech part of the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory / Erzgebirge). It was once the largest and deepest (220 m) tin mine in this part of the range, with a history stretching back to the 16th century. Today part of its underground workings is open to visitors, and the whole site is listed as a National Cultural Monument and forms part of the UNESCO-inscribed Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region.

Where does the mine's name come from?

The first mining works at the site date back to 1545, when the shaft was known as Beerische Zeche, named after its first owner. It was only during the Counter-Reformation that it was renamed St. Maurizius-Schacht, giving rise to the modern name Mauritius. Over the following centuries the mine passed through several owners and alternating periods of boom and decline — between 1751 and 1810 it yielded as much as 1,200 tons of tin, though by the end of the 18th century annual output had dropped to just a few tons.

What will you see on site?

The visitor route covers the accessible part of the underground workings, including the Christoph adit, which leads deep into the historic tunnels. What makes Mauritius distinctive are the vast empty chambers left behind by the intensive, multi-level tin extraction of the 18th century — once the richest ore had been exhausted, miners even removed the pillars supporting the ceiling, creating cavities that stretch for dozens of metres across several levels. The tour reveals traces of different mining eras, from hand-hewn passages to signs of mechanization from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when electricity was introduced and equipment modernized in 1878.

How can you visit the Mauritius Mine?

Visits run in guided groups during set opening hours — it's worth checking the current schedule before arriving, as the site operates seasonally. Inside, the temperature stays low and constant year-round, so warmer clothing is recommended even in summer. The area around Hřebečná and Abertamy also offers hiking and cycling trails winding through the former ore-mining landscape, dotted with spoil heaps and old adits.

Why is it worth visiting?

Mauritius is one of the best-preserved examples of centuries-long tin mining in the Ore Mountains. Operations continued, with interruptions, from the mid-16th century until 1944, when the shaft was deepened to 145 metres during the Second World War — though mining itself was never resumed. The site has been protected as a cultural monument since 1964, and since 2014 it has been listed among the National Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic. In 2019, together with the entire Krušnohoří mining region, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, confirming its outstanding historical and technical significance.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Mauritius Mine open to visitors year-round? No, the site operates seasonally, typically from spring to autumn — check current opening hours before your visit.

How long does a tour take? The guided route through the Christoph adit usually takes around an hour, depending on the group.

Is it cold inside the mine? Yes, underground temperatures stay low and constant throughout the year, so bring a warm jacket regardless of the weather outside.

What else is there to see nearby? The area around Hřebečná and Abertamy is rich in traces of former mining activity — spoil heaps, adits, and hiking trails running through the UNESCO-listed Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region.