Wonder what Jan Jirátko was thinking in 1846. He began digging for coal near Kladno. After a short time he gave up. However his work led to the creation of Jáma Kateřina Josefa.
Welcome to the site of Jáma Kateřina Josefa. This now quiet area was once a place of industry. Let me tell you about this place.
In 1846 Jan Jirátko started digging here. He hoped to find coal near the border of Kladno and Kročehlavy. His mine reached 19 meters but he found nothing. Discouraged by the lack of success he quit.
Another man Václav Černý took over. Jan Váňa deepened the jáma to about 27 meters. He discovered a coal seam. Mining began in 1847. However the coal ran out after only a few years. Production at Jáma Kateřina Josefa ceased in 1854.
The mine’s story does not end there. To commemorate Jáma Kateřina Josefa a large boulder was placed here. This boulder changed locations several times. Eventually it ended up in front of the gymnasium. Today it is called Váň’s Stone.
Jáma Kateřina Josefa played a role in Kladno’s mining history. Although short lived its discovery led to further mining. It also created a landmark that still exists today. It is a reminder of the area’s industrial past.
The story of Jáma Kateřina Josefa offers a glimpse into the past. It highlights the efforts to find coal in this region. The mine’s history is intertwined with the story of Váň’s Stone. It stands as a tribute to the early days of mining in Kladno.