ELIÁŠ I AND ELIÁŠ II (CODE DESIGNATION N)
Historical and Mining Context
The expansion of uranium mining in the Eliáš Valley began with the discovery of approximately 200 kilograms of uranium ore on the spoil heap of the former Eliáš silver mine. Although the area had long been known for silver extraction, systematic uranium exploration and intensive mining started only after 1945, when the Jáchymov mines were incorporated into a state enterprise and included in uranium deliveries to the Soviet Union. At an altitude of around 900 metres, a prisoner-of-war camp was first established there, holding German POWs between 1946 and 1949.
ELIÁŠ I
Eliáš I was officially established on 29 July 1949 on the site of the former POW camp as the fourth camp in the Jáchymov region. It had a capacity of 647 prisoners, 588 of whom were assigned to underground work. Prisoners were housed in four barracks; another building served as an infirmary and workshops. Because the camp stood directly on a spoil heap containing uranium ore, it was closed and relocated at the end of 1951, and the heap was subsequently removed and processed.
ELIÁŠ II
Eliáš II was constructed as a replacement camp. Built hastily and without proper terrain preparation, it suffered from structural shortcomings. One barrack corner stood directly above the bed of the Eliáš stream, which was partially redirected into concrete pipes. Prisoners worked mainly at the Jiřina shaft, about 400 metres from the camp, which replaced the older inclined Eliáš shaft. The complex also included a gravity ore processing plant, a central compressor station and a State Security office. The camp was primarily intended for prisoners serving shorter sentences. After the banning of the Junák and Scout organisations, some of their representatives were interned there. On 30 May 1992, a seven-metre-high cross with a Scout memorial mound was erected on the former camp site. The camp was closed on 1 April 1959.
