History - Liberec

Town’s history goes back to the times when the old trade routes used to go through these areas. It was necessary to build up some kind of a resting spot because the Ještěd ridge had been too difficult to pass for the traders with merchandise. Thus Liberec was being created as an open market village, and according to that the town’s appearance was determined later on. A small settlement first mentioned in 1352 was being gradually transformed into the little serfdom town during the 15th and the first half of the 16th century. This fact was verified in writing by the emperor Rudolf II in 1577. By virtue of extraordinary building activities at the end of the 16th century, the first stone structures were erected, which determined the town’s characteristic features for the long times to come. Liberec underwent the new, more fundamental transformations in the second half of the 18th century, when the center of the town was developed by building up the brick houses of neo-classical architecture. Then, the beginning of the 19th century meant the development of textile industry and therefore the development of industrial architecture as well, and this fact helped the city to acquire its status of independence. A number of impressive buildings were erected at that time and they used to represent the majesty that corresponded to city’s significance. Liberec used to be the 2nd largest city in Bohemia, right behind Prague. Liberec had 3 consulates, 50 textile factories, and 60 metallurgical-industry factories that, among others, manufactured the RAF automobiles as well.

Culture - Liberec

The cultural life is very rich in Liberec. It is a regional cultural center reaching beyond the borders of the Czech Republic. You can familiarize yourself with the menu of cultural events using an on-line reservation system.

Sport - Liberec

Liberec location offers wide variety of sporting activities to enjoy, whereas the skiing, hiking and bicycle tracks are the most enjoyed ones. The Ještěd Ski-Jumping Resort including its two ski jumps is the renowned sports center that was holding a good number of championships in the past. Also the nearby Jizera Mountains with its 9 lookout towers offer many opportunities for skiing, hiking and cycle touring. In winter, you can take advantage of the total of 50 miles (80 km) of well-kept running tracks and of the several skiing resorts with ski lifts and cable railways. The most popular European cross-country skiing competition, so-called “Jizerská padesátka” (Jizera’s Fifty), is being held here every year since 1968. Annually, at the turn of each year, during December, January and February, Liberec holds the FIS Ski Cups, and in June 2004, it persuaded the International Ski Federation (FIS) about its qualities and was elected the organizer of the World Ski Championship in 2009.

Tours - Liberec

Liberec currently offers a number of attractions. The town is proud of many renowned buildings, for example of the City Hall that was built in the renaissance style and finished in 1893. The City Hall is a symbol of city’s wealth and a symbol of economic and cultural development. The F. X. Šalda Theater from 1893 is located behind the City Hall building. The Savings Bank, Museum, and Chamber of Commerce buildings from 1901 – 02 constitute a golden core of the town’s historical part, of which the “Lidové sady” prestigious residential district from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries is the pride of the city that exemplifies blossoming of Liberec of that time. Also, Liberec is sometimes being called the City below the Ještěd. The top of Ještěd reaching up to height of 1,106 yards (1,012 m) is decorated with a modern tower, which became the dominant feature of the entire area. The original structure of an architect Karel Hubáček had been awarded the prestigious Perret Award and became the Bohemian “Building of the Century”. During propitious weather, the mountain’s summit offers a beautiful vista of the entire Liberec region, of the Giant Mountains skyline, and of the German and Polish border areas. The Zoological Garden is the most visited facility in the city, it is involved in the international breeding programs, and it cares for twenty animal species that are almost extinct in the free nature. You will see many exotic animals headed by the unique White Tigers and rare Golden Takins, and the children can play on the kid’s train, on the swings and teeter-totters, and on the slides. The seven and a half thousand of plant species of various vegetation zones are being cultivated in the Liberec Botanical Garden, which is proud of having the most modern greenhouses in Bohemia. You can explore up to one thousand and five hundred plant species within the park. The valuable collections of orchids and carnivorous plants, and the exhibition of Australian flora are considered the unique attractions. The Babylon Center will welcome you in all weathers – the facility offers a large amusement park with various conventional fairground attractions, and it also features modern electronic gaming machines, shopping mall with picturesque boutiques, gallery, entertainment and gambling halls, bowling, stylish coffee shops, bars and restaurants, and Internet cafés. The large water park called Aquapark features the water slides, chute-the-chutes and other water attractions.