The Historical Educational Trail “Jáchymov Hell”
The Rovnost Shaft
In 1792, the Mine Rudolph was based in the Elias Valley. To commemorate the visit of the distinguished German geologist Abraham Gottlieb Werner, the mine was renamed Werner in 1850. Present name Rovnost (“Equality”) obtained the shaft in the context of post-war uranium fury. Until 1961, there was the infamous labour camp, codenamed „P“. In its place is now a holiday cottage settlement.
The Werner Shaft late 19th century
Mine Rovnost is the deepest mine in the Jáchymov ore district. It has a direct depth of 661 meters; together with a blind shaft (vertical shaft mined from underground) is the depth of 707.7 m. At the 12th level, in the altitude of 262 m ASL, the mine is connected with the Svornost shaft. The headframe was removed; and the pit is now covered with massive bars and bounded with steel plates. Exact designation of the shaft is Rovnost I; the shaft named Rovnost II pit lies above Mariánská near the Adam Mine.
Saving pitchblende into buckets (1945)
The Mine Rovnost was one of the most productive in the Jáchymov ore district. Moreover, it influenced significantly the birth of Jáchymov spas. In the mine was the first used radioactive water source called Štěp’s Springs. To the first radon “spa” in the house of baker Kühn in Jáchymov (No. 282 on the Republic Square), the water was brought in buckets on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. Since 1908 was supplied by pipeline to the rooms set up in the uranium factory, since 1911 to bath in a newly built Spa building (today Agricola Spa Centre).
Carrier of radioactive water (early 20th century)
The Rovnost Mine became famous for the occurrence of many rare minerals, especially secondary products of weathering of pitchblende. The whole Jáchymov ore district is the richest mineralogical locality in the world. Over 400 mineral species were found there.
