Železářská huť svatého Klimenta Factory

Železářská huť svatého Klimenta, also known as Viktor's Hust, is a historical monument located in the village of Plasy in the district of Pilsen-North. This building was founded between 1827 and 1829 by Prince Metternich and is today protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. The hunt became famous for its quality cast iron products, from commercial items to decorative art. After the operation was stopped in 1875, the plant was gradually sold and its objects were modified for various purposes, but today it serves as a museum and exhibition hall.

The history of the iron smelter is closely linked to the industrialization of the Austrian countries. Plastic iron and metallurgical production has its roots at the end of the 17th century when tankers were founded. In 1826 Prince Metternich bought a monastery in Plasi and subsequently decided to build a iron smelter with a high furnace and foundry. This decision was motivated by sufficient supplies of wood in its own forests, the proximity of the River Shelling and the location of coal in Kaznejov. Originally, charcoal was used to melt ore, but later it was replaced by stone coal.

The oldest part of the complex is the building of the former foundry with a high furnace from the 1920s. The main operating building, completed in 1844, is a single-storey empirical structure of a rectangular floor plan with a smooth front and a covered saddle roof. On the southwest side of the building is built a tower with clock dial, which served as a ventilation window for the furnace. The southern facade is joined by the body of the former high furnace in the shape of a chamallow needle.

The possession of the smelter after the death of Chancellor Metternich moved on to his son Richard. In 1872 the smelter was severely damaged by a large flood and in 1875 the operation of the iron plant was definitively stopped. The objects were gradually sold or cut into building material.

The cast iron products such as fountains, candelabra and lanterns have become famous for the smelting. Today, these works of art can also be seen in the local cemetery in the form of tombstones and crosses. There is a restored statue of St. John Nepomucký, which was part of the project "Plastic cast iron.".

Today the iron smelter of St. Kliment is open to visitors and serves as a museum. The reconstruction of the objects was carried out within the project "Plastic cast iron," which was supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the city of Plasy. The ceremonial opening of the exhibition hall and the renewed Huti took place on 26 May 2005.

Visiting the iron smelter of St. Kliment offers an opportunity to explore the rich history of the industrial revolution in the region and to appreciate the artistic skills that have evolved here. It is a place where history and the present harmonically exist together, waiting for the next generation of visitors to discover its beauty.