Řimbaba Mine

Řimbaba Mine sits in the hamlet of Vysoká Pec, part of the Bohutín municipality just outside Příbram in the Central Bohemian Region. Once one of the smallest pits of the local lead-mining district, it now operates as an open-air mining museum, complete with a lookout tower, exhibitions, and access to a section of the old underground workings.

How do you get there?

Vysoká Pec lies a few kilometres west of central Příbram, on the road toward Bohutín. Driving is the easiest option — there's parking right at the site, and the surrounding landscape is classic post-industrial terrain, dotted with old spoil heaps and settling ponds. By public transport, take a bus from Příbram to Bohutín and continue on foot; the walk follows a scenic little valley, so budget an extra half hour. Řimbaba also sits along trails connecting the nearby Březové Hory mining heritage sites, making it an easy addition to a longer regional walk.

What is there to see on site?

The most recognisable feature is the old winding tower, converted into an observation point — from the top, visitors get a clear view over the valley and the former mining grounds. Beyond the tower, the site includes exhibitions on the history of lead-ore mining in the area and the option to descend into a preserved stretch of the underground galleries. There's also a reconstructed baroque smelting furnace, built to a design known from the Šumava region, echoing the mine's own former ore-processing operation. The site is cared for by the local association Spolek Řimbaba Bohutín, which also runs themed events here, including a public bread-baking day tied to local tradition.

What's the history behind the mine?

Řimbaba wasn't always known by that name — it originally operated as Důl Božího požehnání (in German, Segen Gottes Schacht, "God's Blessing Mine"). Prospecting in the area dates back to the Middle Ages, but proper large-scale extraction only began in 1843, when an old gallery beneath the nearby Kolenáč reservoir — reused for drainage and ventilation — was reopened and sinking of the main shaft started. The mine primarily worked galena, lead ore, and ran its own on-site processing plant. Operations continued until 1900, when the veins stopped yielding ore in economically viable quantities and the mine closed. That wasn't the end of its story, though — in the 1950s Řimbaba reopened as a training pit for mining students.

When's the best time to visit?

Spring and summer are the best seasons, since longer daylight hours let you pair a museum visit with a walk on the surrounding trails, and the view from the tower isn't cut short by early dusk. It's worth checking opening hours in advance, since the site is run by a local association and access can be seasonal. In autumn, the surrounding forest colours add extra charm to the old mining grounds.

Frequently asked questions

What was Řimbaba originally? A lead-ore (galena) mine, first known as Důl Božího požehnání, actively worked between 1843 and 1900.

Can you go underground? Yes — the site offers access to part of the old underground workings alongside the surface exhibitions and lookout tower.

Who manages the site today? The local association Spolek Řimbaba Bohutín looks after the mine and its public access, and promotes the region's mining history.

Are there other mining sights nearby? Yes — Řimbaba sits close to the historic Březové Hory mining district near Příbram, known for its rich collection of silver- and lead-mining heritage sites.