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{{For|other places called Joachimsthal|Joachimsthal (disambiguation)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Jáchymov
| other_name = Údolí Svatého Jáchyma
| settlement_type = [[Obec|Town]]
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
| image_skyline = Jáchymov 2016 a.jpg
| image_caption = Upper Jáchymov
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<!-- government type, leaders -->
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = BronislavJiří GrulichKaucký
<!-- established -->
| established_title = First mentionedFounded
| established_date = 15101516
<!-- area -->
| area_footnotes =
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| elevation_m = 672
<!-- population -->
| population_as_of = 20222024-01-01
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |title=Population of Municipalities – 1 January 20222024|url=https://www.czso.cz/csu/czso/population-of-municipalities-1-january-2022qexb0dqr2d|publisher=[[Czech Statistical Office]]|date=20222024-0405-2917}}</ref>
| population_total = 23152361
| population_density_km2 = auto
<!-- time zone(s) -->
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| footnotes =
}}
'''Jáchymov''' ({{IPA-cs|ˈjaːxɪmof}}); {{lang-de|Sankt Joachimsthal}} or ''Joachimsthal'') is a [[spa town]] in [[Karlovy Vary District]] in the [[Karlovy Vary Region]] of the [[Czech Republic]]. It has about 2,300 inhabitants. ▼
 
▲'''Jáchymov''' ({{IPA-|cs|ˈjaːxɪmof}}); {{lang-de|Sankt Joachimsthal}} or ''Joachimsthal'') is a [[spa town]] in [[Karlovy Vary District]] in the [[Karlovy Vary Region]] of the [[Czech Republic]]. It has about 2,300400 inhabitants.
The historical core of the town from the 16th century is well preserved and protected by law as [[Cultural monument (Czech Republic)#Monument zones|urban monument zone]]. It is a comprehensive set of [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] – [[Renaissance]] [[Patrician (ancient Rome)|patrician]] houses.
 
Jáchymov has a long mining tradition;, atthanks firstto [[silver]]which wasit minedused here.to In 1534, it wasbe the second most populous town in the [[Kingdom of Bohemia]] in 1534. At first silver was mined here. The silver {{lang|de|Joachimsthaler}} coins minted therehere since the 16th century becamegave knowntheir inname Germanto asthe ''[[Thaler]]'' ([[Tolar|Jáchymovský ''tolar'']]) for short, which viaand the Dutch {{lang|nl|daalder}} or {{lang|nl|daler}} is the etymological origin of the currency name "[[dollar]]".<ref>See also [[wikt:dollar#Etymology|dollar]] at [[Wiktionary]].</ref><ref>{{cite web | website=BBC | title=The Curious Origins of the Dollar |date= May 28, 2019|access-date= May 28, 2019|last=Anderson | first=Hepzibah | url=http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20190528-the-curious-origin-of-the-symbol}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to Jáchymov: the Czech town that invented the dollar|url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20200107-welcome-to-jchymov-the-czech-town-that-invented-the-dollar|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=2020-01-08|access-date=2020-01-09}}</ref> After the [[Wieliczka Salt Mine]] ceased industrial exploitation recentlyin 2007, the Svornost mine (1525) became the oldest mine still in use in [[Europe]]. It is also the first and for a long time the only mine in the world, where [[radium]] was mined.
 
The mining cultural landscape of Jáchymov is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] as a part of the [[Ore Mountain Mining Region]]. The historic centre of the town is well preserved and protected as an [[Cultural monument (Czech Republic)#Monument zones|urban monument zone]].
 
==Administrative parts==
VillagesThe villages of Mariánská, Nové Město, Suchá and Vršek are administrative parts of Jáchymov.
 
==Etymology==
The town was founded in a nameless valley called in German just ''Thal'' (i.e. "valley"). Later it was named ''Sankt Joachimsthal'' after Saint [[Joachim]], meaning "Saint Joachim's Valley". It later developed into the Czech name Jáchymov.<ref name=tolar>{{cite web |title=Po stopách jáchymovského tolaru|url=https://zivykraj.cz/zajimave-vylety/po-stopach-jachymovskeho-tolaru/|publisher=Živý kraj|language=cs|date=2020-02-14|access-date=2022-06-17}}</ref>
 
==Geography==
Jáchymov is located about {{convert|15|km|0}} north of [[Karlovy Vary]], on the border with [[Germany]]. It lies in the [[Ore Mountains]]. The municipal territory includes the summit of the highest mountain of the whole mountain range, [[Klínovec]] at {{convert|1244|m}}, and the third largest mountain, [[Božídarský Špičák]] at {{convert|1115|m|abbr=on}}. The town proper is situated in a valley at an altitude of {{convert|733|m|abbr=on}} above sea level in the St. Joachim's Valley.
 
==History==
[[File:Fotothek df tg 0007851 Bergbau ^ Bergwerk ^ Silberbergbau.jpg|thumb|left|160px|Silver mining in Jáchymov, 1548]]
[[File:Bohemia, Joachimsthaler 1525 Electrotype Copy. VF. Obverse..jpg|140px|thumb|left|[[Kingdom of Bohemia]], Jáchymovský [[tolar]], 1525. Obverse, picturing St. Joachim.]]▼
[[File:Jáchymov těžní věž dolu Svornost srpen 2019 (2).jpg|thumb|The Svornost mine, the oldest mine still in use in Europe]]
[[File:Jáchymov, náměstítěžní věž dolu Svornost srpen 2019 (2).JPGjpg|thumb|JáchymovSvornost Mine, Republicthe oldest mine still in use in SquareEurope]]
[[File:Jáchymov, náměstí.JPG|thumb|Republic Square]]
In 1512, [[silver]] was found in the area. The village of Jáchymov was founded by Štěpán Schlick in 1516 under its German name ''Joachimsthal''. The silver caused the population to grow rapidly, and made the counts Schlick, whose possessions included the town, one of the richest families in [[Bohemia]]. Since 1520, the Schlicks had silver coins minted, which were called ''[[Joachimsthaler]]s''. They gave their name to the [[Thaler]] and the [[dollar]]. In 1528, [[Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor|Ferdinand I]] seized the right of mining, and the Schlick family lost their profitable business.<ref name=tolar/>
 
In 1512, [[silver]] was found in the area. The famevillage of Jáchymov forwas founded by Štěpán Schlick in 1516 under its oreGerman miningname and''Joachimsthal''. smeltingThe workssilver attractedcaused the scientificpopulation attentionto ofgrow rapidly, and made the doctorCounts Georgof BauerSchlick, (betterwhose knownpossessions byincluded the Latintown, formone of histhe name,richest families in [[Georgius AgricolaBohemia]]). inIn the1528, late[[Ferdinand 1527–1531I, whoHoly basedRoman hisEmperor|Ferdinand pioneering [[Metallurgy|metallurgicalI]] studiesseized onthe hisright observationsof mademining, hereand the Schlick family lost their profitable business.<ref name=agricolatolar/><ref name=zk>{{cite web |title=Spa Center AgricolaJáchymov|url=https://www.laznejachymovzivykraj.cz/enzajimave-vylety/Agricolajachymov/|publisher=LéčebnéŽivý lázně Jáchymov a.s.kraj|language=cs|access-date=2022-0106-1317}}</ref>
 
Since 1520, the Schlicks had silver coins minted, which were called ''[[Joachimsthaler]]s''. They became known in German as ''[[Thaler]]'' and as [[tolar]] in Czech, which via the Dutch {{lang|nl|daalder}} or {{lang|nl|daler}} is the etymological origin of the currency name "[[dollar]]".<ref>{{cite web |website=BBC|title=The Curious Origins of the Dollar|date=2019-05-28|access-date=2019-05-28|last=Anderson|first=Hepzibah|url=http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20190528-the-curious-origin-of-the-symbol}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to Jáchymov: the Czech town that invented the dollar|url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20200107-welcome-to-jchymov-the-czech-town-that-invented-the-dollar|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=2020-01-08|access-date=2020-01-09}}</ref>
In 1523, the [[Protestant Reformation]] began. In the [[Schmalkaldic War]] (1546–47) Jáchymov was occupied for a time by [[Saxon]] troops. When in 1621 the [[Counter-reformation]] and re-Catholicisation took effect in the town, many [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] citizens and people from the mountains migrated to nearby [[Saxons|Saxon]] [[White Serbia]].<ref>More about history of the town in the 16th and 17th centuries for example in the article of [[Lukáš M. Vytlačil]]: ''Příběh renesančního Jáchymova'' [The Story of renaissance Jáchymov]. Evagelicus 2017, Praha 2016. pp. 42-45. ([https://www.academia.edu/30089312/P%C5%99%C3%ADb%C4%9Bh_renesan%C4%8Dn%C3%ADho_J%C3%A1chymova_The_story_of_renaissance_J%C3%A1chymov_ on-line here])</ref>▼
 
The fame of Jáchymov for its ore mining and smelting works attracted the scientific attention of the doctor Georg Bauer (better known by the Latin form of his name, [[Georgius Agricola]]) in the late 1527–1531, who based his pioneering [[Metallurgy|metallurgical]] studies on his observations made here.<ref name=agricola>{{cite web |title=Spa Center Agricola|url=https://www.laznejachymov.cz/en/Agricola/|publisher=Léčebné lázně Jáchymov a.s.|access-date=2022-01-13}}</ref>
Following the [[Silesian Wars]] until 1918, the town was in the Austrian part of the Dual Monarchy of [[Austria-Hungary]], head of the district with the same name, one of the 94 ''Bezirkshauptmannschaften'' in [[Bohemia]].<ref>Die postalischen Abstempelungen auf den österreichischen Postwertzeichen-Ausgaben 1867, 1883 und 1890, Wilhelm Klein, 1967</ref>▼
 
In 1534, Jáchymov was the second most populous town in the [[Kingdom of Bohemia]] with about 20,000 people.<ref name=zk/>
In the 19th century the town was also the location of a Court, and of an administrative office responsible for mines and iron production. Mining was still significant in this period. It was run partly by state-owned and partly by privately owned companies. In addition to [[silver ore]] (of which in 1885 227 [[zentner]]s (11.35 [[tonne]]s) were produced), [[nickel]], [[bismuth]] and [[uranium]] ore were also extracted. There were also other industries: an enormous [[tobacco]] factory employed 1,000 women. In addition, there was the manufacture of gloves and corks and of [[bobbin lace]]. On 31 March 1873 the town almost entirely burnt down.
 
▲In 1523, the [[Protestant Reformation]] began. In the [[Schmalkaldic War]] (1546–47) Jáchymov was occupied for a time by [[Saxon]] troops. When in 1621 the [[Counter-reformationReformation]] and re-Catholicisation took effect in the town, many [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] citizens and people from the mountains migrated to nearby [[Saxons|Saxon]] [[White Serbia]].<ref>More about history of the town in the 16th and 17th centuries for example in the article of [[Lukáš M. Vytlačil]]: ''Příběh renesančního Jáchymova'' [The Story of renaissance Jáchymov]. Evagelicus 2017, PrahaPrague 2016. pp. 42-45. ([https://www.academia.edu/30089312/P%C5%99%C3%ADb%C4%9Bh_renesan%C4%8Dn%C3%ADho_J%C3%A1chymova_The_story_of_renaissance_J%C3%A1chymov_ on-line here])</ref>
At the end of the 19th century [[Maria Skłodowska-Curie]] discovered in [[uraninite]] spoil dump from Jáchymov ore containing the element [[radium]], for which she won the [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]]. Until [[World War I]] this was the foremost source of radium in the world.<ref name="Heinrich">{{cite book|last1=Heinrich|first1=E. Wm.|title=Mineralogy and Geology of Radioactive Raw Materials|date=1958|publisher=McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.|location=New York|pages=283}}</ref>
 
▲Following the [[Silesian Wars]] until 1918, the town was in the Austrian part of the Dual Monarchy of [[Austria-Hungary]], head of the district with the same name, one of the 94 ''Bezirkshauptmannschaften'' in [[Bohemia]].<ref>Die postalischen Abstempelungen auf den österreichischen Postwertzeichen-Ausgaben 1867, 1883 und 1890, Wilhelm Klein, 1967</ref>
▲[[File:Bohemia, Joachimsthaler 1525 Electrotype Copy. VF. Obverse..jpg|140px|thumb|left|[[Kingdom of Bohemia]], Jáchymovský [[tolar]] 1525. Obverse, picturing St Joachim.]]
 
In the 18th century, mining was significant in the town. In addition to [[silver ore]], other ores were mined here: [[nickel]], [[bismuth]], [[lead]], [[arsenic]] and [[cobalt]], and near the town also [[tin]]. In the 19th century, [[uranium]] ore was also extracted in Jáchymov.<ref>{{cite web |title=Historie města|url=https://www.mestojachymov.cz/mesto/historie-mesta/|publisher=Jáchymov|language=cs|access-date=2024-02-29}}</ref>
In 1929, Dr Löwy of Prague discovered that "mysterious emanations" in the mine led to a form of [[cancer]]. Ventilation and watering measures were introduced, miners were given higher pay and longer vacations, but death rates remained high.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wiskemann|first=Elizabeth|year=1938|title=Czechs and Germans|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.509024}}</ref>
 
There were also other industries than mining: in 1856 and 1860, a uranium paint factory and a [[tobacco]] factory were opened. In 1873, the town was badly damaged by a large fire and lost its face.<ref>{{cite web |title=Významné jáchymovské letopočty|url=https://www.mestojachymov.cz/mesto/historie-mesta/vyznamne-jachymovske-letopocty/|publisher=Jáchymov|language=cs|access-date=2024-02-29}}</ref> At the end of the 19th century, [[Maria Skłodowska-Curie]] discovered in a [[uraninite]] spoil dump from Jáchymov, ore containing the element [[radium]], for which she won the [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry]]. Until [[World War I]] this was the foremost source of radium in the world.<ref name="Heinrich">{{cite book |last=Heinrich|first=E. Wm.|title=Mineralogy and Geology of Radioactive Raw Materials|date=1958|publisher=McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.|location=New York|page=283}}</ref> In 1929, Dr. Löwy of Prague discovered that "mysterious emanations" in the mine led to a form of [[cancer]]. Ventilation and watering measures were introduced, miners were given higher pay and longer vacations, but death rates remained high.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wiskemann|first=Elizabeth|year=1938|title=Czechs and Germans|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.509024}}</ref>
Following the [[Munich Agreement]] in 1938, Joachimstal was annexed by [[Nazi Germany]] as part of the so-called [[Sudetenland]]. Most of the German population was [[Expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia|expelled]] in 1945–1946 (see the [[Potsdam Agreement]]) and replaced by [[Czechs]] from other parts of the country.▼
 
▲Following the [[Munich Agreement]] in 1938, Joachimstal was annexed by [[Nazi Germany]] and administered as part of the so-called [[Reichsgau Sudetenland]]. Most of the German population was [[Expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia|expelled]] in 1945–1946 (seeaccording to the [[PotsdamBeneš Agreementdecrees]]) and replaced by [[Czechs]] from other parts of the country.
Mining in [[uranium ore|uranium]] mines took place here between 1939 and 1964, for nuclear projects of Nazis and Communists facilities. It was proven that the uranium mined here was used in the [[German nuclear weapons program]] in their ultimately unsuccessful quest to build a [[nuclear reactor]].<ref>{{cite web |title="Heisenberg-Würfel" verrät Details über Hitlers Atomprogramm|url=https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/nuklear-forensik-heisenberg-wuerfel-verraet-details-ueber-hitlers-atomprogramm-a-614227.html|publisher=[[Der Spiegel (online)]]|language=de|date=2009-03-19|access-date=2022-01-06}}</ref> In times of Nazi occupation and Communism large [[Labor camp|prison camp]]s were established in the town and around it. Soviet prisoners of war first worked here, and after 1948 political and other prisoners. Opponents of the new regime ([[Stalinism]]) were forced to mine uranium ore under very harsh conditions: the average [[life expectancy]] in Jáchymov at this period was 42 years. [[Uranium mining]] ceased in 1964.▼
 
▲Mining in [[uranium ore|uranium]] mines took place here between 1939 and 1964, for nuclear projects of NazisNazi and CommunistsCommunist facilities. It was proven that the uranium mined here was used in the [[German nuclear weapons program]] in their ultimately unsuccessful quest to build a [[nuclear reactor]].<ref>{{cite web |title="Heisenberg-Würfel" verrät Details über Hitlers Atomprogramm|url=https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/nuklear-forensik-heisenberg-wuerfel-verraet-details-ueber-hitlers-atomprogramm-a-614227.html|publisher=[[Der Spiegel (onlinewebsite)|Der Spiegel]]|language=de|date=2009-03-19|access-date=2022-01-06}}</ref> In times of Nazi occupation and Communism large [[Labor camp|prison camp]]s were established in the town and around it. Soviet prisoners of war first worked here, and after 1948 political and other prisoners. Opponents of the new regime ([[Stalinism]]) were forced to mine uranium ore under very harsh conditions: the average [[life expectancy]] in Jáchymov at this period was 42 years. [[Uranium mining]] ceased in 1964.
 
The mines today (with the exception of Svornost) are no longer in operation and, for example, in the Eduard mine complex there is now a sports complex with a biathlon shooting range. The [[radioactivity|radioactive]] [[thermal spring]]s which arise in the Svornost mine are used under the supervision of doctors for the treatment of patients with nervous and [[rheumatic disorder]]s. They make use of the constantly produced radioactive gas [[radon]] (<sup>222</sup>Rn) dissolved in the water, see [[Health effects of radon#Intentional exposure|Radon therapy]].
 
==Demographics==
{{historical populations
|align=none|cols=3
|1869|6668
|1880|6709
|1890|7133
|1900|7487
|1910|7627
|1921|7173
|1930|7404
|1950|6659
|1961|4608
|1970|3289
|1980|3375
|1991|2716
|2001|2830
|2011|2838
|2021|2207
|source=Censuses<ref>{{cite web |title=Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011|url=https://csu.gov.cz/produkty/historicky-lexikon-obci-1869-az-2015|publisher=[[Czech Statistical Office]]|language=cs|date=2015-12-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Population Census 2021: Population by sex|url=https://vdb.czso.cz/vdbvo2/faces/en/index.jsf?page=vystup-objekt-parametry&z=T&f=TABULKA&sp=A&skupId=4429&katalog=33515&pvo=SLD21001-OB-OK|work=Public Database|publisher=[[Czech Statistical Office]]|date=2021-03-27}}</ref>}}
 
==Spa==
[[File:Jachymov Aquacentrum Agricola.jpg|thumb|Agricola Spa Centre]]
[[File:JachimovLázeňský radomdům palaceRadium Palace, Jáchymov.jpg|thumb|Radium Palace Hotel]]
In 1864, a spring of [[radon]]-rich water was discovered in Jáchymov. The world's first radon [[spa]] was founded in Jáchymov in 1906, joining the existing spas of the region such as [[Karlovy Vary]], [[Františkovy Lázně]], and [[Mariánské Lázně]].<ref name=cro>{{cite web |title=Jáchymov – the oldest radon spa in the world|url=https://english.radio.cz/best-spas-czech-republic-8721557/5|publisher=[[Czech Radio]]|date=2021-07-30|access-date=20222023-0107-1326}}</ref><ref name=water>{{cite web |title=Radonová voda aktivuje imunitní systém|url=https://www.nase-voda.cz/radonova-voda-aktivuje-imunitni-system/|publisher=Naše voda|language=cs|date=2021-07-14|access-date=20222023-0107-1326}}</ref>
 
The facility offers treatments for a range of medical conditions, based on the controversial theory of [[Radiation hormesis|radiation hormesis]]. The treatments offered cover a range of neurological disorders and skin diseases, as well as various musculoskeletal conditions such as [[Osteoarthritis|osteoarthritis]] and [[ankylosing spondylitis]]. The radon baths are further alleged to improve conditions of patients with diabetes, [[gout]] and conditions arising from complications of injuries and operations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Co se léčí v lázních Jáchymov|url=https://www.laznejachymov.cz/co-lecime/|publisher=Léčebné lázně Jáchymov a.s.|language=cs|access-date=2022-01-13}}</ref>
 
==Transport==
TheThere Ostrovis nadno Ohřírailway –to Jáchymovthe railwaytown. lineThe wasmost inimportant operationconnection inis 1896–1957. Buses nowthe provideroad regularI/25 connectionsleading viafrom [[Ostrov (Karlovy Vary District)|Ostrov]] to [[Karlovythe Vary]]Czech-German border. SinceThe 2005, Jáchymov have onebus line ofconnects townJáchymov buswith transport[[Karlovy MHD-1Vary]].
 
==Sport==
Jáchymov is the centre of winter sports. There are three ski areas with [[ski lift]]s in the municipal territory: Novako, Klínovec and Klínovec-Neklid. In the vicinity of the town is the Eduard [[biathlon]] complex, which offers several kilometres of [[Cross-country skiing trail|cross-country trails]].<ref name=sport>{{cite web |title=Zimní a letní sporty|url=https://www.mestojachymov.cz/volny-cas/zimni-a-letni-sporty/#evt_158|publisher=Město Jáchymov|language=cs|access-date=2023-07-26}}</ref>
There is several [[ski lift]]s, [[Alpine skiing|downhill]] and [[Cross-country skiing trail|cross-country trails]]. The town has the only year-round [[water park]] in the Ore Mountains.
 
The town has a [[water park]] that bears the name of Georgius Agricola.<ref name=sport/>
 
==Sights==
[[File:Jáchymov (KV), kostel sv. Jáchyma.jpg|thumb|160px|Church of St. Joachim]]▼
[[File:Radnice v Jáchymově (1).jpg|thumb|Town hall]]▼
[[File:Jáchymov muzeum.jpg|thumb|Royal Mint Jáchymov Museum]]
▲[[File:Radnice v Jáchymově (1).jpg|thumb|Town hall]]
*Church of St. Joachim, the first [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] church in the Bohemian Kingdom from 1540, after 1624 a [[Latin Church|Roman Catholic]] church
The town with the surrounding area forms the Jáchymov Mining Landscape, which is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] as part of [[Ore Mountain Mining Region]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1478|publisher=[[UNESCO]]|access-date=2023-07-26}}</ref> There are many technical monuments associated with mining activities, including the Svornost Mine, old mines, landscaping and architecture created as a result of mining.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opatření obecné povahy č. 2/2014|url=https://www.mkcr.cz/doc/cms_library/oop-hornicka-kult-krajina-jachymov-775.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Culture|pages=1–2|language=cs|date=2014-01-21|access-date=2023-07-26}}</ref>
*Jáchymov Town Hall from 1544
*Royal [[Mint (facility)|Mint]] Jáchymov Museum, which now houses the town [[museum]]
*Church of All Saints, the oldest preserved building in the town (1516)
*Holy Trinity Column from 1703
*Statue of St. John of Nepomuk is the [[Baroque sculpture|baroque statue]] from 1730.
*Latin school library – unique library of the [[Latin school]] from the 16th century
*Schlick Castle – remains of the youngest [[castle]] in the Czech Republic
*Town and patrician houses are [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] and [[Renaissance]] houses with unique Czech set of portals
*Jáchymov pharmacy – the oldest [[Pharmacy (shop)|pharmacy]] in Central Europe from 1520.
*Svornost Mine – the first radium mine in the world
*Peter's Mill – remains of the oldest watermill in the Czech Republic
*Monument to the Discovery of Radium from 1950
*Agricola Spa Centre – the oldest spa building, built in 1906–1911<ref name=agricola/>
*Radium Palace Hotel – Neoclassical spa hotel from 1912
 
The historic centre of the town from the 16th century is well preserved and protected by law as an [[Cultural monument (Czech Republic)#Monument zones|urban monument zone]]. It is a comprehensive set of burgher houses and [[Patrician (ancient Rome)|patrician]] houses with unique portals. Those that have not been preserved in the original Renaissance style have a Renaissance core and have been rebuilt mostly in the Baroque and Neoclassical style.<ref name=mpz>{{cite web |title=Seznam památek v MPZ Jáchymov|url=https://www.mestojachymov.cz/evt_file.php?file=1260|publisher=Město Jáchymov, National Heritage Institute|language=cs|access-date=2023-07-26}}</ref> The oldest [[Pharmacy (shop)|pharmacy]] in what is today the Czech Republic was located in the patrician house No. 131. It was opened around 1520.<ref>{{cite web |title=První lékárna u nás fungovala už kolem roku 1520 v Jáchymově. Svému účelu slouží dodnes|url=https://vary.rozhlas.cz/prvni-lekarna-u-nas-fungovala-uz-kolem-roku-1520-v-jachymove-svemu-ucelu-slouzi-8946252|publisher=[[Czech Radio]]|language=cs|date=2023-03-07|access-date=2023-07-26}}</ref>
From the valley of river Veseřice a [[chairlift]] goes to the highest mountain in the Ore Mountains [[Klínovec]] ({{convert|1244|m|ft|abbr=on}}), which peak is in the municipal territory.
 
The history of mining in the area is together with the history of the town is documented in Royal Mint Jáchymov Museum, housed in the former royal [[Mint (facility)|mint]] on the town square.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jáchymov Museum|url=https://karlovyvarycard.cz/en/attractions/jachymov-museum|publisher=Karlovy Vary Region|access-date=2023-07-26}}</ref> The mint was built in 1533–1536 and its present form is the result of several reconstructions due to fires.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mincovna|url=https://pamatkovykatalog.cz/mincovna-25138688|publisher=National Heritage Institute|language=cs|access-date=2023-07-26}}</ref>
 
Next to the mint is the town hall. It was originally the house of Hieronymus Schlick, bought by the town in 1531. It was extended in 1538–1544 and rebuilt to its present form with [[Art Nouveau]] elements in 1901–1902.<ref name=mpz/> in the basement of the town hall there is a unique collection of the [[Latin school]] library from the early 16th century.<ref>{{cite web |title=Expozice Knihovna Latinské školy v Jáchymově|url=https://www.kudyznudy.cz/aktivity/expozice-knihovna-latinske-skoly-v-jachymove|publisher=CzechTourism|language=cs|access-date=2023-07-26}}</ref>
 
In the middle of the town square is the Holy Trinity Column dating from 1703.<ref name=mpz/>
 
The Freudenstein Castle (also called Schlick's Castle) was built like most of the town around 1520. Its purpose was the protection of mining and the town. This was probably the last castle in the Czech Republic built as a defensive element and not as an aristocratic residence. In 1634, it completely burned down and remained a ruin. Two towers with part of the fortifications have survived to this day. The so-called Schlick's tower served the town as a signal tower. The second tower, called ''Prachárna'', served the miners as an ammunition store.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hrad – hrádek Freudenstein (Šlikův hrádek), zřícenina a archeologické stopy|url=https://pamatkovykatalog.cz/hrad-hradek-freudenstein-slikuv-hradek-zricenina-a-archeologicke-stopy-20577573|publisher=National Heritage Institute|language=cs|access-date=2023-07-26}}</ref>
 
===Sacral monuments===
▲[[File:Jáchymov (KV), kostelKostel sv. Jáchyma (Jáchymov).jpgJPG|thumb|160px|Church of St. Joachim]]
The Church of All Saints was built in the early Renaissance style in 1520. It is a valuable building that is partially half-timbered.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kostel Všech svatých|url=https://pamatkovykatalog.cz/kostel-vsech-svatych-20242183|publisher=National Heritage Institute|language=cs|access-date=2023-07-26}}</ref>
 
The Church of St. Joachim was built in 1534–1540. It was the first [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] church in the Kingdom of Bohemia. From 1624, it was a Roman Catholic church. In 1764–1785, the originally Renaissance building was baroque rebuilt. After it was damaged by a fire, it was reconstructed in 1874-1876 in the pseudo-Gothic style.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kostel Všech svatých|url=https://www.pamatkyaprirodakarlovarska.cz/jachymov-kostel-sv-jachyma/|work=Památky a příroda Karlovarska|language=cs|access-date=2023-07-26}}</ref>
 
The Evangelical church was built in the pseudo-Renaissance style in 1904 and is also a cultural monument.<ref name=mpz/>
 
===Spa architecture===
The oldest spa building is Agricola Spa Centre, built in 1906–1911.<ref name=agricola/> One of the landmarks of Jáchymov is the Neoclassical building of Radium Palace Hotel. It dates from 1912. It was one of the most modern hotels of its time,whose guests included [[Richard Strauss]], [[Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk]] and [[Fuad I of Egypt|Fuad I]].<ref name=cro/>
 
The Monument to [[Maria Skłodowska-Curie]] and [[Pierre Curie]] was created by sculptor [[Karel Lidický]] in 1966. The text on it recalls the discovery of radium in this area.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pomník Marie a Petra Curierových|url=https://pamatkovykatalog.cz/pomnik-marie-a-petra-curierovych-14440531|publisher=National Heritage Institute|language=cs|access-date=2023-07-26}}</ref>
 
==Notable people==
*[[Georgius Agricola]] (1494–1555), townGerman doctor and chemistscholar, themineralogist "Father of [[Mineralogy]]"and metallurgist
*[[Johannes Mathesius]] (1504–1565), German minister and a Lutheran reformer
 
==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic}}
Jáchymov is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=ListinaKomise opro přátelstvípříhraniční městspolupráci Jáchymovas aMěstem SchneeberguSchneeberg|url=https://www.mestojachymov.cz/listinamestsky-ourad/povinne-pratelstviinformace/subjekt-mestkomise-jachymovapro-aprihranicni-schneebergu/dspolupraci-4923s-mestem-schneeberg-16.html|publisher=Město Jáchymov|language=cs|access-date=20202023-0708-2403}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Schneeberg, Saxony|Schneeberg]], Germany
 
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==External links==
{{commons category|Jáchymov}}
*{{official|https://www.mestojachymov.cz/}} {{in lang|cs}}
*[http://sechtl-vosecek.ucw.cz/cml/dir/Jachymov.html Historical photographs] {{in lang|cs}}
*[http://sechtl-vosecek.ucw.cz/en/cml/dir/Jachymov.html Historical photographs] (portions of the above site in English)
 
{{Karlovy Vary District}}
 
{{authority control}}
 
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