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Jiřetín pod Jedlovou is situated at an altitude of 508 m in the northern foothills of the Lužické hory (Lusatian Mountains, Lausitzer Gebirge) in North Bohemia. Mining for gold, silver, copper, lead and other metals in this area had already been documented in 1474 and 1484. Sankt Georgenthal, named after the patron saint of the founder, was founded in 1539 in order to support the mining activities. Extensive privileges for the inhabitants, issued in 1554, attracted many new settlers. In 1587, the village achieved the status of a royal mining town. However, as the metal deposits were soon depleted, most of the privileges were withdrawn in the same year. Throughout the following centuries, several attempts were made to resume the mining activities. After 1945, the name Sankt Georgenthal was initially translated to Svatý Jiřetín. When the villages of Svatý Jiřetín, Rozhled (Tollendorf), Lesné (Innozenzidorf) and Jedlová (Tannendorf) were joined in 1949, the new municipality was named Jiřetín pod Jedlovou.

The mountain Křížová hora [left] (Kreuzberg; 563 m) near Jiřetín pod Jedlovou has been a popular pilgrimage site since the 18th century. The pilgrimages go back to tales of a miracle-working crucifix, which, according to the legends, had been erected here in 1669. In 1759–1764, eleven stations of the cross, a wooden chapel with the 12th and 13th station, and a Rococo chapel with the Holy Sepulcre were built. The wooden chapel was destroyed by a storm in 1779, and was replaced by a new brick chapel in 1783–1796. The massive tower was added in 1881–1888.