MARIÁNSKÁ (CODE DESIGNATION B)
History and Location
The camp had a capacity of approximately 700 prisoners and was situated close to the former Capuchin monastery complex. It was officially closed on 1 April 1960, although demolition of the barracks continued until December. As the second labour camp in the Jáchymov area, it formed an important link in the regional network of penal labour facilities.
Capuchin Monastery
The former hospice buildings were taken over by security forces and used as barracks for a National Security Corps unit known as Jeřáb. Basement rooms of the Church of the Assumption were converted into cells and later into interrogation rooms for prisoners suspected of escape attempts. The Church of St Francis served successively as a shooting range and later as garages for vehicles of the Interior Ministry’s Internal Guard. In 1951, a large dog kennel facility for up to 300 service dogs was established in the area.
Underground cells were used for harsh interrogations involving prolonged restraint, beatings and deprivation. Later, interrogation facilities were transferred to the confiscated spa building Lužice in Jáchymov, nicknamed “Sing-Sing” by prisoners. After the camp’s closure, the monastery complex was used as storage and demolished in 1965 due to its deteriorated condition.
Camp and Organisation
The camp primarily held prisoners sentenced by the State Court to shorter terms, generally under the age of 25. In 1951, a new camp complex was built along the road to Merklín, consisting of six prisoner barracks, administrative and service buildings, a boiler house, kitchen, infirmary and quarantine unit. Prisoners worked mainly at the Eva mine and the newly established Adam mine. Although the regime was strict and disciplinary measures severe, the camp was regarded as relatively more tolerable due to somewhat better food and structural facilities.
Escape Attempt
On 5 September 1950, a group of prisoners attempted to escape after overpowering guards and lowering them into a mine shaft. The escape was quickly suppressed; Daniel Štěpán was shot dead and the others were captured. A public trial held on 11 October 1950 in Jáchymov resulted in several death sentences and long prison terms. The death sentences were carried out on 21 October 1950 after President Klement Gottwald rejected petitions for clemency.
