The Liberec District

Liberec, the northernmost city of the Czech Republic, is situated below Mount Jested. In the 16th century textile manufacture developed here, later leading to mass production. Today Liberec, with a population of 100,000, is an attractive city to visit all year round. In spring the parks and gardens are full of flowering rhododendrons and azaleas. In winter the city is a significant center for winter sports. You will find the atmosphere here more relaxed and far cleaner than in Prague. But if you want to go there, it is only an hour drive away. Liberec is an ideal starting point for trips to the Jizera Mountains or to the Jested ridge as well as for car journeys to the Luzice Mountains, Bohemian Paradise, the Jizera Valley and the Giant Mountains.

The city has a number of historic monuments. The neo-Renaissance town hall dating back to 1893 is of great interest. Its main tower is 65 meters high and dominates the town. In the same style is the Museum of North Bohemia with its precious collections of glass, ceramics and textiles. The building of the palace housing the Regional Gallery was completed in 1872. It contains the works of Dutch, French, Austrian and German masters of the 17th and 18th centuries. Also of great interest is the baroque Church of the Holy Rood and the Wallenstein houses built in around 1670.

Liberec also has one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Central Europe and the oldest zoo in Bohemia, founded back in 1904. Towering high above the city is Mount Jested. The Czech Ministry of Culture declared the building at the top a technical monument last year. It consists of a hotel , restaurant and TV and radio transmitter. Mount Jested affords a wonderful view right down to Central Bohemia in a clear day.

Sychrov Chateau

This is one of the most significant neo-Gothic buildings in the Czech Republic. In 1995 it was declared a national cultural monument. The chateau, which has recently become a center for cultural events, has authentic neo-Gothic interiors with beautiful woodcarvings from the workshop of Petr Busek. The gallery houses the biggest collection of portrait paintings in Central Europe. The park of the chateau was landscaped on an English style to the order of Prince Kamil Rohan.

Frydlant Castle and Chateau

These two objects in the foothills of the Jizera Mountains form an interesting combination of architectural styles, one a medieval castle and the other a Renaissance chateau. The castle was built in the middle of the 13th century; the new owners built a chateau and chapel there. The most famous owner was Albrecht of Wallenstein (from the year 1622). Then came the Gallas family (up to 1759) and then the Clam-Gallas branch of the family (up to 1945). The chateau houses a large collection of weapons, paintings, furniture and German and Italian ceramics. They are all used to decorate the interiors, which include a unique chateau kitchen with original equipment.