Silberbach: Castle, Mining History and the Ohře Valley

When looking for a hotel in Silberbach, it is worth exploring the town’s history and the natural monument in the Ohře Valley. Its historical themes range from mining and the history of the castle to the development of the church. The different periods reflected in these sites offer more than one way to understand the town: as an industrial centre, a place shaped by architectural changes and part of a protected natural landscape.

Mining History and the Castle

The Dědičná štola Jana Křtitele is a cultural monument. The adit was created for the extraction of raw materials and the drainage of the mines, and it still serves to drain mine water into the Ohře. Its history therefore encompasses two aspects: its original connection with mining and a drainage function that continues to this day. The entrance is near a suspension bridge below the castle of Staré Sedlo.

The history of the Svaté Trojice mineral works is also part of this industrial context. The first reference to the works in Staré Sedlo dates to 1573. It was the oldest works in the Sokolov area to produce alum and green vitriol. While the history of the works records specific products and an early reference, the Dědičná štola tells of raw-material extraction and mine drainage. These two topics highlight different aspects of the mining history.

The castle of Staré Sedlo was built in 1816 by Fr. Miessl, the then director of the mineral works. It stands on a rock above the valleys of the Ohře and the Hruškovský potok. Its construction date and location provide two distinct points of reference for the castle’s history: its connection with the director of the mineral works at the time and its precise position above the valleys. A statue of Saint Florian, from the workshop of the Loket sculptor Wildt, stands in front of the castle. It was originally located in a niche in the castle.

The Church and Its Changing Building Phases

The Church of the Holy Trinity (kostel Nejsvětější Trojice) was originally built in the Baroque style between 1711 and 1720. It was completely destroyed by fire during the devastating village fire on 4 September 1861. The following year, in 1862, it was restored in a pseudo-historical style. This sequence makes clear the difference between the original construction and the later restoration: the years 1711 to 1720 mark the Baroque building phase, while 1862 marks the restoration after the fire.

The church is used for regular services and festive events and, with support from the municipality, for cultural events and concerts. If you would like to combine your visit with an event, check the specific dates and access arrangements in advance. This distinguishes the church’s regular use from individual events, each of which may have its own conditions.

Natural Monument and Other Traces of the Town’s History

The Ohře Valley near Staré Sedlo was designated a natural monument in 1976 and covers 32.84 hectares. The protected valley includes numerous pseudokarst caves and fossils of a Tertiary subtropical flora. Thus, alongside architectural and industrial history, there are also natural features: the caves and fossils point to different aspects of the protected valley.

Heavily damaged remains of a fortification are located in the northeastern part of the village. Their condition is important to bear in mind: these are remains, not an intact structure. Another kind of historical trace is the war memorial to those who fell in the First World War. It was erected in 1925 by the local association of war veterans and extensively reconstructed in 2008. The two dates mark different milestones: the memorial’s erection and its later reconstruction.

Cycling Route and Travel Planning

National Cycle Route No. 6 runs through the Staré Sedlo area on the Mostov–Loket section. If you plan to ride this route, check for current diversions before setting out. The different themes can help guide your choice of a hotel in Silberbach: the castle and church represent architectural history, the adit and mineral works represent industrial history, and the Ohře Valley represents natural history. Which of these aspects matters for your stay depends on what you want to focus your trip on.

Discover more destinations: Wintersgrün, Frühbuß, Unterneugrün, Lanz, Daßnitz, Schwaderbach, Liebauthal, Bleistadt

Return to the regional travel overview: Sokolov District.