Trips to Technical Heritage Sites
Science, manufacturing and technology. Three words that could easily sum up the history of the Liberec Region. It is therefore no surprise that the area is often regarded as one of the cradles of industry in Czechia. Follow the development of science step by step and discover places where the past meets the present and where the region’s remarkable character reveals itself in a completely different light.
Railways have always been closely linked to industrial production, and the Liberec Region is criss-crossed by them. One of the most remarkable is a true Czech rarity: the rack railway. Known locally as the Zubačka, it connects Tanvald, Kořenov and Harrachov and is the steepest railway line in Czechia. Travel along this gem of Czech railway engineering through some of the most beautiful parts of the Jizera Mountains, cross the Jizera Bridge and continue into the Krkonoše Mountains. History and technology enthusiasts can also visit the Rack Railway Museum in Kořenov, where exhibits and historic photographs tell the story of this unique line.
Another exceptional railway is the 4.5-kilometre Museum Glass Railway between Česká Kamenice and Kamenický Šenov, which takes passengers into the heart of the Lusatian Mountains. Board the historic Kamenický railcar and enjoy the scenery below Zámecký vrch in a landscape where glassmaking has been at home for centuries. One example is Jílek Glassworks in Kamenický Šenov, one of the oldest glassworks in Europe. It became famous for producing black manganese glass and glass in dark shades. Today, alongside traditional handmade blown glass, it also specialises in stained glass and architectural glass. To discover the secrets behind this exceptional craft, book a guided tour and watch crystal beauty take shape before your eyes.
When manufacturing in the Liberec Region is mentioned, beer may well be one of the first things that comes to mind – and rightly so. One reminder of this tradition is the 150-year-old Hop Drying House in Dubá, an important technical monument in the Mácha Region. Its survival is especially valuable because it is the only remaining example of the six hop-drying houses that once stood in the town. It recalls the flourishing local hop-growing industry, which also influenced the area’s traditional rural architecture. Beer lovers should not miss Rohozec Brewery near Turnov. Brewing has more than a century of tradition here, and the brewery continues to follow time-honoured production methods passed down through generations. Guided tours are available from April to October, giving visitors the chance to see the brewing process and finish with a tasting. After all, what better way could there be to experience paradise in Bohemian Paradise?
For those who would like to dive even deeper into the region’s technical heritage, its reservoirs offer another fascinating option. Take a swim in one of the largest urban reservoirs in Central Europe at the Mšeno Reservoir in Jablonec nad Nisou. Locals often refer to it as the “Jablonec Sea”. It was originally built to protect the town from flooding, but today it is a popular leisure destination. During the summer, visitors can hire paddleboards or take a steamboat, where you can enjoy a boat trip complete with a barbecue.
To escape the bustle of the city, head to the Bedřichov Reservoir hidden among the forests. Another powerful destination is the site of the Burst Dam in Desná, marked by a tragic event from the past. The remains of the dam, valve tower and underground tunnel recall the disaster of the early twentieth century, which later contributed to safer calculations and improved standards for the construction of new reservoirs.
