Štola Jan Evangelista

Štola Jan Evangelista is a historic mining adit in Lesné, a hamlet belonging to the municipality of Jiřetín pod Jedlovou in the Lusatian Mountains (Lužické hory), in the Děčín district of the Czech Republic. The tunnel cuts into the northwestern slope of Křížová hora and stands as one of the few publicly accessible remnants of the region's old silver-mining industry.

How did the mine come to be?

Mining around Jiřetín dates back to the 16th century, and across the whole former Tolštejn estate, extraction activity had already begun in the 15th century. The Jan Evangelista adit itself was established in 1781–1782 on the initiative of nobleman Jan of Edenburk, who founded a mining company, deepened existing workings, and drove a new gallery dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. Unfortunately, the silver ore yields proved modest — mining ceased before the end of the 18th century, and the mine was definitively closed in 1910.

What will you see underground?

The galleries were cut through Proterozoic phyllitic slate roughly 650 million years old, making this one of the oldest rock formations visitors can inspect up close anywhere in the region. The full network of passages runs several hundred meters, though the section open for visits today measures about 360 meters. Inside, you can trace two centuries of manual miners' work — characteristic pick marks, remnants of small shafts, and natural rock formations that developed after mining stopped.

How to get there?

A yellow-marked hiking trail leads to the adit from Jiřetín pod Jedlovou and connects with a red trail near Lesné, making it easy to fold the visit into a longer hike through the Lusatian Mountains, for example toward Tolštejn Castle or the Jedlová peak. By car, the most convenient approach is to Jiřetín pod Jedlovou, from where only a short walk remains to the mine entrance.

When to visit?

As an underground site, the adit keeps a steady, cool temperature year-round, so it's worth bringing warmer clothing even in summer. The tourist season in the region typically runs from spring through autumn, when access to the site and surrounding trails is at its best. It's worth checking current opening hours before you go, since guided visits to the mine are often organized seasonally or on specific days of the week.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the mine on your own? Access to the old mine workings is usually offered as part of a guided tour, both for safety and to preserve the historical value of the site.

How long does a visit take? The visitor route covers about 360 meters, so walking through the galleries typically takes somewhere between fifteen and thirty minutes, depending on the group's pace.

Is it cold inside the mine? Yes — like most underground workings, the temperature stays low and constant throughout the year, regardless of conditions on the surface.

What else can you combine with a visit to the mine? The area around Lesné and Jiřetín pod Jedlovou is a good base for hiking in the Lusatian Mountains, including nearby Tolštejn Castle and the Jedlová summit.