Skalná: Hendrich's Tomb

The Secret of the Mummy

Our region can also boast mummies, although this method of burial was not common. In addition to mummies that were created by deliberate embalming, there are also mummies that were created naturally and by the influence of climatic conditions. Let's remember the mummies of Kralovice or Klatovy. There are also mummies created by natural processes in Skalná.

Hendrich's Tomb

It all started with the reconstruction of the Hendrich and Müller tombs in Skalná. As we learn from the information board placed in the interior of the repaired tomb, the regional adjutant of the Czech Republic, Ladislav Hendrich from Semily, came to Skalná to visit his wife, Sofiá Müllerová, whom he married on October 7, 1877. He ended his career as the chairman of the regional court in Cheb. The Hendrichs had two sons, the elder Rudolf (December 25, 1878) and the younger Ernst (May 14, 1881). When the younger Ernst died of scarlet fever, the family decided to build a tomb. However, Ernst was first buried in the ground for a year.

The construction of the two-story neo-Gothic Skalná tomb began in December 1887. It was led by the local builder Andreas Kirschnek. It was consecrated on September 9, 1888. The remains of Ernest and his maternal grandparents Josef Köhler (*6.4. 1810 – 23.3. 1870) and Maria Anna Köhlerová (*17.10. 1809-+15.5. 1873) were placed in the consecrated tomb. These are the only three individuals who are documented in written sources. However, archaeologists discovered the remains of at least 18 individuals during the excavation of the tomb.Six-year-old Ernst died on August 1, 1887 from scarlet fever, and the following day he was buried in the cemetery in Skalná. The deceased's father founded the "School Foundation of Ernst Hendrich", into which he deposited a silver bond for 100 gulden. The interest on this bond was paid annually on Christmas Eve with the obligation to pray at Ernest's grave.

A detailed analysis ruled out the possibility that the corpse could have been embalmed. Coincidentally, the body underwent natural mummification. The placement of the body in a double sheet metal coffin also played an important role, which slowed down the process of body degradation. On the contrary, the forced opening of the coffins after 1945 and the subsequent air circulation and frost in the winter caused the body to dry out.

There is also a castle and a geophysical museum in Skalná.