Liberec
The North Bohemian district town of Liberec is located in the valley between the Jested Ridge and the Jizera Mountains. The history of this town started at the time when merchant paths crossed through this area. Liberec was gradually established as an open market settlement. During the 15th and 16th centuries this small settlement, first mentioned in 1352, gradually changed into a feudal town in 1577. The end of the 16th century brought exceptional prosperity to the town.
In the second half of the 18th century, the centre of Liberec consisted of houses in the classical style. The beginning of the 19th century, great strides were made in the textile industry as well as in industrial architecture. This led to the independent status of the town. At this time many landmark edifices were built and Liberec was, after Prague, the second biggest town in Bohemia. There were three consulates, 50 textile factories, and 60 factories connected with the metal industry. The city also produced RAF cars.
Today, Liberec offers visitors many interesting places. In the centre, there is a townhall built in Neo-Renaissance style and finished in 1893, the Theatre of Frantisek Xaver Salda dating from 1893, a museum, a chamber of commerce and many other attractions.
Liberec is also called “the town under Jested”. The peak is 1012m high and is crowned by a modern tower which has become a dominant feature of the town. The design for this original construction was made by the architect Karel Hubacek and awarded the prestigious Perret’s Prize. The Jested tower, which is also a hotel and restaurant, was opened on 21. 9.1973, and has become as a symbol of the town.