Železná Ruda was founded at the beginning of 16th century near to new discovered  beds of iron ore. So, in deep forests, along banks of small river of Řezná (Regen), Iron Brook and quite near to old merchant way, there was established small community, named Hutní (Iron). First notice comes of 1569, this community belonged to dominion of Rýzmberg castle at that time. First oven for iron-ore melting was created here at the end of 16th century, and  Hutní community was known as Železná Ruda. Later, the community belonged to Bavaria and finally, within 17th century, there was started glass manufacture to be developed. In general, there were founded more than 10 forges here, first from them just in 1692. In 1711, the community was bought by industrialist and glass-worker John George Hafenbradl. His descendands participated on development of local glassware production until 19th century, when the forges started to be bankrupted and closed later. In 1877, there was terminated the construction of railway line, joined to Bavarian railways.This fact meant for Železná Ruda development of business and tourist traffic. Železná Ruda was declared as a town in 1960.

Original mining and glass town with 1900 inhabitants, situated in an altitude of 754 m, forms, together with communities of Špičák and Hojsova Stráž, the greatest holiday resort of western part of Bohemian Forest. It belongs also to one of most important outer Alps centres of holiday and tourist centres in Central Europe, including various services for tourists all year round. In winter, the visitors have enorm big offer of ski routes and descent lines available. On the other hand, you will be enthusiastic with beauties of surrounding nature.

Anyway, nobody could miss to visit the greatest lakes of Bohemia Forest, Černé jezero (Black Lake) and Čertovo jezero (Devil´s Lake), from Železná Ruda distant 15 kms only. Not far from here, there are to be found the other, smaller lakes, such as Laka Lake and Prášily Lake. In Germany, you find Great and Small Javor Lake and Roklan Lake. In winter, the visitors have available 25 kms of ski descent lines of various difficulty-stages, 29 ski-towages (with capacity of 15 persons/hour). The lover of running skies find here over 100 kms of ski-running traces. If you do not ski, you can learn it in ski-school. As to sightseeings: you can admire in Železná Ruda Virgin Mary Church, in star-form, glass museum an small castle, where there is placed the exposition of marionettes and small motomuseum. Each weekend in September, there is taken place Železná Ruda pilgrimage. In a church, there are organized concerts, in summer season, there are organized theatre performances, beer, children, summer and other celebrations. Železná Ruda area is able to suit everybody, in summer or in winter.

Text: Denisa Arvajová

Photo: Google, Google Earth