The Historical Educational Trail “Jáchymov Hell”
The camps Eliáš I and Eliáš II - code name “N”
You are on the historical educational trail „Jáchymov Hell“, which leads little known, beautiful sites containing unforgettable history. The Nature Trail was created by the mining association “Barbora” in Jáchymov with the support of the Confederation of Political Prisoners and the Club of Czech Tourists.
The situation of the labour camps in surroundings of Jáchymov (1952)
At the Eliáš Industrial Complex, which consisted of mines and treatment, there were two camps simply named Eliáš I and Eliáš II. The camp Eliáš I was the fourth penal labour camp. It was established on 29 July 1949 at the former prison camp. In the camp, four wooden barracks housed 647 prisoners, of whom 588 worked in the mines. In one house were established tailors and shoemakers workshop, aid station and sickroom; a drying room was missing. In the second half of 1951, the camp, also known as Upper Eliáš or Old Eliáš, was liquidated. Old heap, on which he stood, began to be dredged and the material carried away for further processing.
The Eliáš Valley in the middle of 20th century
The Camp Eliáš II was established on 8 December 1950. This day there was placed 328 prisoners, in late December already 618. The camp was distanced from the shaft about 300–400 meters. Construction of new camps, particularly the Eliáš II camp, was very carelessly. The barracks were built in rough and not prepared terrain. Corner of one of them went above the bed of stream, so he had yet to be additionally supported by concrete pipes. Common toilet was built six meters from the kitchen. The Camp Eliáš II was abolished on 1 April 1959.
Preparation plant of the Eliáš Mine in the middle of 20th century
From this point, a short detour leads to a reverent place with a cross in memory of prisoned Scouts. After returning from it, you can continue along the nature trail marked with yellow tourist sign or to take the road along the creek towards the village Mariánská. Mariánská is a weak hour walk away, sometimes in challenging terrain.
