Horní Město: Mining, Churches and Nature

Horní Město lies at an elevation of 570 to 700 metres on the border between Hrubý Jeseník and Nízký Jeseník. For travellers looking for a hotel in Horní Město, the town offers a range of themes: historic mining, church art and landscapes with protected natural areas. The places and routes below each offer a different focus.

Stříbrný důl and mining history

The medieval Stříbrný důl silver mine is located in Horní Město. It is considered a unique site representing silver and iron ore mining from the late 15th to the late 19th century. The town’s origins are also linked to mining: Horní Město was established near silver mines in the 16th century. The town’s history and the long period of mining are therefore closely connected, but refer to different points in time.

The visitor route through Stříbrný důl includes around 450 metres of accessible mine tunnels and three mining chambers. A particular feature of the experience is climbing ladders. A reservation through the reservation system is required to visit the underground area. Check visitor information and physical requirements before setting out. This will help you fit the visit into your travel plans while keeping the reservation requirement in mind.

Church art in Horní Město and Skály

The Church of St Mary Magdalene in Horní Město was built of stone in 1611 and 1612. Its furnishings include an altarpiece painted by Jan Kryštof Handke in 1768. There are also two wooden galleries, one above the other, decorated with ornaments and Stations of the Cross scenes. The building’s history, paintings and woodwork offer several distinct art-historical points of interest.

A church also features in the historical record of Skály, a district of Horní Město: the Church of St Wenceslas dates from 1812 and has a painting by Jan Kryštof Handke. Visitors interested in churches can thus explore two different places and periods of construction. Comparing Handke’s works and the churches’ different construction dates offers a different way to approach local history than mining history does.

Forest trails and protected landscapes

From Skály or Horní Město, a forest walk of around 3 kilometres follows the Huntava stream to the Rešovské vodopády waterfalls. The protected area lies within the municipalities of Horní Město and Tvrdkov, including the cadastral area of Rešov. It protects a deeply incised rocky gorge with the Huntava River in its natural course, waterfalls and numerous rapids. The route combines a specific walking option with a landscape shaped by the gorge and flowing water.

Another natural attraction is Skalské rašeliniště, north of Horní Město in the Huntava headwaters. The protected natural area covers around 20 hectares and is home to protected plant species. Access is via pastureland and may not be possible during grazing periods. Bear this seasonal restriction in mind if you plan to visit. This makes a visit to the peat bog different from the approximately 3-kilometre forest walk to the waterfalls: for the bog, the access conditions are a particular consideration.

Getting there and planning your trip

Travelling by car is easiest; bus or a combination of bus and train are alternatives. Public transport connections may change, so check them before you travel. When choosing where to stay, consider whether you are mainly interested in the underground mine visit, the churches, or the trails and protected areas. The Stříbrný důl visit requires a reservation as part of your planning; at Skalské rašeliniště, be aware that seasonal access via pastureland may be restricted.

Discover more destinations: Holčovice, Staré Heřminovy, Razová, Nova Plan, Horní Benešov, Leskovec Nad Moravicí, Rýmařov-Harrachov, Dětřichov Nad Bystřicí.

For the wider travel overview: Okres Bruntál.