Příbram District

Příbram District is located in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, about 37 miles southwest of Prague, nestled in the Brdy Mountains. This area is characterized by hilly, forested terrain, with the highest point at Tok (865 m) and the lowest at the Labe River (153 m).

The district is a treasure trove for mineral enthusiasts, boasting 353 valid minerals, including 17 type localities. Key minerals include acanthite, galena, sphalerite, and uraninite, with historical mining focusing on silver, gold, lead, zinc, and uranium. Geologically, it is part of the Bohemian Massif, with ore deposits linked to the Central Bohemian Plutonic Complex from the Variscan age (354-335 Ma), featuring complex mineralization stages.

Mining in Příbram began in the 14th century with silver and gold, becoming a major center in the 19th century under the Austrian Empire, notably with the Vojtěch mine reaching 1000 meters in 1875. Post-World War II, uranium mining expanded, with depths over 1800 meters, but ceased in 1991. The Mining Museum in Příbram now preserves this rich history.

Culturally, Příbram is home to Svatá Hora, a significant baroque pilgrimage site and national cultural monument. It also has ties to Antonín Dvořák, who composed "Rusalka" nearby. The climate is temperate oceanic, with rainfall throughout the year, an average annual temperature of 13°C, and cold, snowy winters, supporting a diverse ecology in its hilly, forested landscape.