Bedrichov Jizera mountains Jablonec nad Nisou Liberec Jested Castles and chateaux Others
Liberec
The town Liberec is considered to be a significant administrative, cultural, industrial and sports centre not only of the Jizera Mountains but also of the whole region. It lies in a valley between the hills of the Jizera Mountains and the Ještěd Ridge. The first settlements first appears in writing in document from the year 1352. The development of the town took place in 16th century, when it became the administrative centre of the Liberec manor and the first drapers came into the region at the same time. Drapery then grounded the present-day textile industry, which has Liberec been famous for. In 1577 the Emperor Rudolf II granted Liberec its town symbol. In the period of the Thirty-Year War the property fell into the hands of a new owner Albrecht von Wildenstein who generously supported the development and building activities in the area of the town. Woollen cloth manufactures were transformed into the textile industrial factories in 19th century. Moreover, Liberec was the second largest town in Bohemia as regards to the number of people living there in the middle of 19th century. What’s more, the Renaissance Castle in the centre of Liberec, whose oldest part comes from the year 1578, certainly belongs to the most prominent monuments. Another important dominance of the town is also the pseudo-renaissance Town Hall from the end of 19th century by the Viennese architect Franz von Neumann. An interesting building structure is also the North bohemian Museum with its top of the tower originating from the former Town Hall. The F.X. Šalda Theatre belongs to the most significant pseudo-renaissance buildings structures too. Out of the numerous castles located in Liberec, the archbishop Church of St. Antonín the Great from 16th century is the oldest. Furthermore, Liberec is the residential town of the Technical University with it several faculties. The town of Liberec is regarded as a prominent centre of summer and winter sports. The ski slopes and jumps are to be found in the hills of the Ještěd Mountain, the swimming pool and other sports facilities are situated in the town centre.
The Zoological Garden in Liberec
It is the oldest Zoo in the Czech Republic being established at the beginning of 20th century after exporting the exotic birds into the voliary. The enlargement of the garden started in 1906 as further animals, such as numerous storks and the Croatian bear were imported from abroad. During the World War I., the expansion had to stop. However, after this period, the Ornithology association re-established its operation in 1919 and the exhibition of animals started again. The present-day’s prides of the Liberec Zoo are most of all the white tigers originating from India. The basis of breeding was the male tiger caught in the nature in 1961 and originally raised in the private zoo park of Maharadga Réwa.
The Botanical Garden Liberec
The Botanical Garden was founded in 1876. During both world wars the garden was declining to the level of vegetable-growing but every time the original idea was managed to revive. After the reconstruction between the years 1990-1995, the garden became the most modern botanical garden in Bohemia with its area of greenhouses (4.500 m2) and outdoor exposition of 15.000 m2. 7 500 tropical and subtropical kinds of plants have been growing in the greenhouses and 1500 kinds outdoors. The scarce orchids, zoophagous plants, bonsais, wetlands, freshwater and marine aquariums and terrariums are to be seen in the expositions.
The Centrum Babylon in Liberec
The shopping, social and entertainment centre, seeked for his exceptionality, is the dominance of the whole Czech Republic. The polyfunction complex, with its area of 25.000 m2, offers almost everything what comes to a visitor’s mind. Moreover, all important facilities – 9 restaurants, bars, cafés, casinos, bowling, a disco, laser game, planet internet, Aqua park and Luna park (newly opened part in the Roman spa style), whirlpool for 50 people, business centre, shopping centre with more than 60 shops, congress hall, saloons, indoor parking. Aqua Park offers a wide range of sports opportunities and active relaxation. In the water area of more then 700 m2 you can visit several swimming pools, water massages, toboggans, slides, whirlpool or swim in the underground cave or suck in some heat in a sauna. In addition, Aqua Park offers the original steam bath, a solarium, massages, a beauty salon for women, a gym, aerobic and fitness.