CZ, Harrachov – The Cradle of Czech Skiing – VIDEO
Published: 7.8.2018
Under Certova Mountain in the Giant Mountains, the mountain town of Harrachov is situated on the Mumlava River. The owner of the local estate - Count Jan Harrach - brought the first skis to Bohemia in the 19th century and the first winter sports took place here soon.
The area around Harrachov was famous for being the capital of glassmaking. The local glassworks of Novosad were established in 1712 which makes it the second oldest glassworks in the Czech Republic. Today, you can visit it in a few tours and see for yourself how glass production and grinding are taking place. Besides, you can join the tour with a visit to the small brewery, which originated in the glassworks area.
Local mountains are the biggest attraction for both Czech and foreign visitors. Already in 1908 the Association of Winter Sports was founded here and in the first ski jumping bridge at Certova Mountain in 1920. It is this ski jump that made Harrachov famous all over the world. Already in 1923 the first international ski races were held here. During the reconstruction of the whole area in 1980, the largest ski bridge was built - the mammoth bridge K-185.
The surroundings of Harrachov are also interesting outside the winter season. There are many hiking and cycling trails from here, for example, you can go along the blue along the Mumlava and gradually come to Labska Cabin and the springs of the Elbe. Another popular route leads along the green around ski jumps to Certova Mountain and further to Rokytnice nad Jizerou. Several routes will also take you to nearby Poland.
If you do not want to ride a car to Harrachov, come here from Tanvald by train. Just in the section between Tanvald and Harrachov you will find our only rackrailway. Thanks to it, trains can go far beyond the normal traffic. Today, the rack system itself is used only for special cruises, but the train journey is worth it just because of the surrounding countryside. Recently, the cross-border section of the railroad has also been reopened to SzklarskaPoreba.
Regardless if you set out to Harrachov in winter or in summer, there are plenty of things to do.
About Rokytnice nad Jizerou was spoken about as the most indebted city of Czech republic a few years ago. Today is this town overshadowed by Lysá Hora, the most visited one of Krkonoše mountains.
As summer approaches, more and more of us set out on new experiences during our free days. The quarantine is gradually being released, offering more and more opportunities to spend time. This weekend we will look at Nové Město pod Smrkem, which is located in the Liberec region. The city lies in the Jizera Mountains, almost on the border with Poland. There are historic churches, a museum and a mausoleum. However, tourists usually come here for more sporting activities. And so it is with us.
Between Adrspach and Teplice nad Metuji in the eastern part of Bohemia, there is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Water, wind and frost formed in the course of million years this beautiful rocky town we take you to today.
If you are heading for a trip to our highest mountains, Spindleruv Mlyn is one of the best bases at any time of a year. It lies at the very end of the road, which leads from Vrchlabi through the valley upstream of the Elbe river to the foot of the Krkonose Mountains (Giant Mountains).
A mere kilometer from the famous settlement of Hejnice in the Jizera mountains, there is another famous site - Libverda spa. Composer Carl Maria von Weber found his inspiration to write the opera of Der Freischuetz.
You ride down the hill to the valley. Surrounding you are green hills. White buildings of local automobile factory brighten you. These are the halls of Skoda car company. Since 2012, gearboxes have been produced there. However, we go further into the center. The main landmark in Vrchlabi is St Vavrinec church. Its belfry hardly fits within the lens cope of a camera.
Liberec is another important stop in our tour de Bohemia. A university city is famous and infamous for the world championship in cross-country skiing. It is a historical place completely independent on its surrounding.
Liberec lies in the north of Bohemia and is a statutory town with approximately 104,000 inhabitants. The town is abundantly frequented during the winter season. For the rest of the year, people are mainly driving to the aquapark or to the IQLANDIA Liberec planetarium.