Welcome to Hamr na Jezeře

The village is set in a charming landscape of pine forests and sandstone rock formations. It stretches along the shore of a lake that was probably established in the 16th century and forms the heart of this popular leisure and holiday destination. Beyond the lake, you can see the iconic panorama formed by the hills Děvín and Ostrý (also known as Hamerský Špičák). One of them is crowned by the majestic ruins of a royal castle. This extensive Gothic fortress was founded before 1250 by members of the powerful Markvartic noble family. Děvín is renowned as an impregnable fortress and, in terms of its size, ranks among the largest castles in the Czech Republic.

The Oldest Part of the Village

Útěchovice was founded in 1322 by Mikuláš of Útěchovice (Nicolaus de Utechowicz), who held the local fief and resided at the Útěchovice fortress. The remains of the fortress can still be found on the boundary between Útěchovice and the neighbouring village of Břevniště. The development of Hamr itself is closely connected with the growth of ironworking. In 1511, the local settlement was mentioned for the first time in historical records. It included an iron hammer mill, a mill, and an inn. The name of the village derives from the German word "Hammer", referring to the basic tool used in every forge. For their time, the local iron hammers were advanced technical facilities. Water wheels provided the main source of power, driving heavy hammers and other mechanisms required for ironworking. Local ore was extracted in the surrounding area and subsequently smelted in furnaces.

Prosperity under the Hartig Family

Another particularly significant chapter unfolded in the 18th century under the rule of the Hartig noble family. The new owners of the estate established a large-scale iron ore mining enterprise here, employing more than one hundred workers. Production was supplied by four mines operating on Hamerský Špičák, Děvín, or in the area around Svébořice. The extracted ore was transported directly to the local blast furnace. With the rise of more modern industrial centres in Bohemia, however, the operation became unprofitable, and the mines were closed in 1796.

From Holiday Resort to Uranium Mines

At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Hamr developed into a popular health and spa resort. Its peaceful surroundings, clean air, and scenic landscape attracted affluent visitors. Sandy beaches and luxurious villas were built along the shores of the lake. During the interwar period, Hamr was even nicknamed the "Riviera of the North", described as "a little piece of Italy in northern Bohemia." For marketing purposes, the name Hammer am See became established at this time, meaning "Hammer Mill on the Lake" in Czech, and the name has remained associated with the village to this day. The resort's idyllic atmosphere and elegant character survived into the post-war years. In 1952, the filming of the Czech comedy Dovolená s Andělem (Holiday with an Angel), starring Jaroslav Marvan, left a significant cultural mark on the village. The movie captures the atmosphere of leisure and recreation on the local beaches at that time particularly well.

The second half of the 20th century brought a dramatic turning point. Uranium deposits were discovered in the surrounding area, and for three decades Hamr became a centre of uranium mining. Recreational facilities were converted into offices and accommodation for workers. In 1985, the Lake Hamerský rybník was even completely drained. This transformation brought tourism in Hamr na Jezeře to a complete halt. The once-famous interwar resort became a closed industrial zone. After the political changes of 1989, the departure of Soviet troops, and the decline of uranium mining, the village decided to revive its spa tradition.