Sonnenwirbel Houses

The highest-situated hamlet of the Ore Mountains (1140–1155 m above sea level), belonging to Jáchymov, existed as early as the 16th century on the western foothills of Klínovec toward Boží Dar, along the original path from Boží Dar to Měděnec. The name of the settlement also reflected its location, as the name Keilberg/Klínovec dates only from the 19th century. Until then, the highest mountain of the Ore Mountains was known as Sonnenwirbel. Its foundation is also described by the preacher Johannes Mathesius in his work.

The settlement originated after a silver vein was discovered in 1533; it was therefore as old as nearby Boží Dar. According to the Second Military Survey (Franciscan Survey), three houses stood here between 1842 and 1853, administratively belonging to the Jáchymov district of Elbecken. Ecclesiastically, however, the inhabitants belonged to Boží Dar (a purely practical arrangement, as the parish of Boží Dar also fell under the vicariate in Jáchymov). In 1920, 26 inhabitants lived here in four houses.

After the Second World War, the settlement was demolished because, due to its proximity to the state border, it fell within the newly established border zone. Today, wind turbines and a triangular border stone can be found on the site.

Unruh / Neklid

In 1543, the Unruhe mine was opened in the Elbecken valley at a place called Widergebirg, on the Silberwäscher vein, and remained in operation until the 19th century. The hamlet consisted of two buildings, one of which probably served as the mine’s changing or service building, while the other, smaller one, was residential. The larger, original building was demolished in the mid-20th century. The second building has survived to this day. One of the local ski slopes now runs over the site of the original building and the mine.

Rauschererb / Můstek

A group of four cottages in the valley of the Stísněný Brook. According to the First Military Survey (second half of the 18th century), three houses had conscription numbers, while the fourth did not. According to the Second Military Survey (1836–1852), the hamlet is called Rauscher. In connection with the name of the Jáchymov family Rauscher and the word Erb (“hereditary estate”), the question arises whether this might originally have been a hereditary (freehold) farm of that family.

An interesting event connected with this place is certainly the interpellation of the Minister of Finance dated 27 January 1926. It concerned the harsh conduct of the revenue inspection authorities. At that time, one of the buildings housed the inn of Josef Fassmann. In 1946, Antonie Spilková operated an inn with 12 beds.

Toward the end of the Second World War, construction of a ski-jump began on the slope above the hamlet. However, it was completed only after the war, and its remains are still clearly visible in the terrain today. It allowed jumps of up to 70 metres. On the opposite slope, a downhill ski run with an approximately 600-metre-long lift was built.

Shortly after the war, the cottages were used as a small prisoner-of-war camp.

Today’s Sporthotel Můstek was built on the site of the original cottages.

After completion of the railway from Ostrov to Jáchymov, there were plans to extend the line to Vejprty and Germany. It was here that the portal of a two-kilometre tunnel, leading through the Klínovec massif to the Partum forester’s lodge in Loučná, was to be located.