MEMORIAL TO THE POLITICAL PRISONERS TORTURED TO DEATH
Introduction
The memorial is situated in the newer part of the town cemetery, separated from the main burial ground by a metal fence. This section originally served as a Protestant and children’s cemetery. Although referred to as the “new cemetery”, it is paradoxically in a poorer and more neglected condition than the older part of the grounds.
Origin
On 16 May 1990 the federal Minister of the Interior, Richard Sachr, visited Jáchymov. At his initiative, the local branch of the Czechoslovak People’s Party established an original memorial dedicated to an unknown political prisoner. The site was consecrated on 31 May 1990 by the Jáchymov parish priest František Krásenský, and a Mass for the victims among political prisoners was subsequently celebrated in the Church of St. Joachim.
Present Form
At the initiative of the Confederation of Political Prisoners, the memorial was later transformed into a symbolic grave of all victims of terror in the uranium mines between 1950 and 1960. It now commemorates the broader circle of victims of forced labour during the period of the harshest repression.
Inscription:
GRAVE OF PRISONERS
TORTURED TO DEATH
IN THE JÁCHYMOV
MINES
1950–1960
