Mirkowitz: Gold Mining and Village History

A place with several historical highlights

The village has a relatively regular settlement layout dating from the colonization period, in the form of a short street village. It also has traces of medieval gold mining and stories about individual farmsteads. This gives you a range of topics to consider when planning your trip: the historical use of the landscape, the construction of individual farmsteads, and the sports ground in the lower part of the village. When choosing where to stay, you can decide whether to focus on local history or include a sporting activity as well.

Traces of gold mining

In the medieval gold mining area near Mírkovice, boundary stones engraved with crosses marked individual mining plots. The demarcation of these plots is therefore also part of the history of gold mining. The spoil-heap field near Mírkovice extends over approximately 200 × 200 metres and is the largest in the immediate area. Gold-bearing spoil heaps are also found along the entire course of the Jílecký potok. The stream was formerly called the “Golden Stream.” These features offer different perspectives: the boundary stones relate to individual mining plots, the approximate extent of the spoil-heap field can be measured, and the stream’s name preserves an earlier designation. Together, the division of individual plots and the traces distributed along the stream provide different ways of looking at the local mining history.

Farmsteads and architectural history

The oldest farmstead in Mirkowitz is House No. 1, known as Řehoutovec. It includes a preserved barn. Řehoutovec is notable for its construction and is reminiscent of an old fortress. Several specific features come together at this farmstead: its status as the oldest farmstead, its traditional name, the barn, and a style of construction that invites comparison with a fortress. This is a different way of exploring local history from the gold-mining areas: here, the focus is on farm buildings and architecture. The combination of the house number, farmstead name, and construction makes Řehoutovec a concrete example of local farmstead history.

Local history across several periods

The origins of Mirkowitz are thought to date to the second half of the 13th century, around 1300. Another period in its history is represented by Farmstead No. 16, which formerly also included an inn. In 1834, the farmstead was transferred to Anton Soukup, described as Egon Schiele’s great-grandfather. The approximate dating of the village’s origins and the transfer of a particular farmstead are two different time markers: one concerns the founding of the village, while the other relates to the history of a single property. Together, they connect the broader history of the village with a specific farmstead and a family history.

Sports ground and trip planning

There is a sports ground for small-sided football and volleyball in the lower part of Mirkowitz. Seating is available by a fire pit. If you would like to factor communal use or the availability of the grounds into your plans, please confirm this locally. This practical consideration differs from the historical topics: gold mining and farmsteads shape the village’s history, while the sports ground is relevant to travelers interested in the sports mentioned.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Zaltice, Oberplan, Podesdorf, Malsching, Gojau, Oemau, Polletitz, Chunzen.

Return to the broader travel guide: Okres Český Krumlov.