From mine railway to campfire: LECTURA experienced Chomutov

At the end of August (26–28), the international LECTURA team gathered in Chomutov, Bohemia for a team-building event to round off the summer holidays together and gather new inspiration outside of the everyday office routine. Sixteen colleagues from five countries—Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, and Ukraine—spent the three days exchanging ideas, exercising and sharing experiences. 

Tuesday evening kicked off with a lively warm-up: a Zumba session got the team moving. For many, especially the gentlemen, it was their very first encounter with this type of dance fitness. Initial hesitation quickly turned into enthusiasm and the mood was relaxed. After the sports-themed start, the focus shifted to socialising: a joint dinner, lively conversations and a cosy campfire with roasted sausages.

On Wednesday, the programme continued with a look into the history of the region. The team was given an impressive guided tour of the Technical Museum of the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory), which is located in the closed Julius III brown coal mine. Surrounded by historical machinery and rescue equipment, it became clear how strongly mining has shaped north-western Bohemia – and how harsh the reality of life was for miners underground. It was exactly this contrast to today's working environments that made the visit such a memorable experience.

In addition, the exhibition provided insights into the technologies, transport systems and tools that were used in the now abandoned mines. A detour to the changing room – equipped with the typical ceiling hooks and washing facilities – illustrated the miners' everyday working life. The highlight was a ride on the mining groove. This underground railway, which used to transport both workers and materials, was a very impressive way of bringing a piece of mining history to life.

In the afternoon, a special attraction was on the agenda: Chomutov Zoo. Founded in 1975 as a forest park with a range of European species, it is now the largest zoo in the Czech Republic, home to 1,100 animals.

One particularly impressive part of the visit was the Eurosafari: the off-road vehicle ride through a 30-hectare area where bison, mouflon, deer and saiga antelopes roam freely – sometimes at arm's reach. Being so close to the animals made this excursion an intense experience that is guaranteed to remain in our memories for a long time.

Afterwards, the Alum Lake offered a refreshing break. One of the largest lakes in the country and a geological rarity, it is considered unique not only in the Czech Republic but also worldwide. Created by the flooding of former mining areas at the end of the 18th or beginning of the 19th century, it has an unusually high alum content.

This prevents algae and fish from living there, but at the same time, the mineral richness gives the water healing properties and has earned the lake the nickname “Mini Dead Sea”. A dip in the water was not only refreshing, but also provided an opportunity to experience the uniqueness of this place first-hand.

Once again, the day ended with everyone gathered around a campfire. The event concluded with conversation, laughter, and a great feeling of fellowship. It was especially valuable to meet in person and spend time together away from screens. After spending these days together, one thing is certain: the next adventure is just a matter of time.