There are mountains that leave you in awe and mountains that touch your soul. The Lusatian Mountains belong in the second category because they have a human aspect to them. Although their highest peaks are less than 800 metres above sea level, they feature everything that mountains should. They form a perfect link between the surrounding landscapes – the sandstone formations and rock towns of Bohemian Switzerland, the volcanic character and conical peaks rising from the wooded hills of the Bohemian Central Highlands, and the long ridges of the Jizera Mountains.
If we were to consider altitude as the main criterion for mountains, we could hardly call the Lusatian Mountains real mountains. Their peaks don’t even reach the altitude of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. Although they are low in actual height, due to their volcanic origin, their peaks stand out dramatically from the landscape and leave an impression much more majestic than that left by many higher mountain ranges. The picturesque peaks of the Lusatian Mountains offer exclusive views of the rolling landscape, making each climb truly rewarding. So, although they are relatively small in size, they are definitely big in character.
Another feature specific to the Lusatian Mountains is the beautiful rock formations lent to them by their neighbours. In the vicinity of Česká Kamenice, we find the influence of the Bohemian Central Highlands – monumental formations of volcanic origin that look like apparitions from another world. Among the most beautiful landmarks are the rock organs, which are unique to this area. From Bohemian Switzerland, the Lusatian Mountains borrow sandstone rock formations and entire rock towns. They are the ideal destination for every romantic person – it’s not uncommon to find ancient ruins or sculpted decorations near them.
Few crafts are as deeply rooted in the Czech culture as glassmaking. And few regions are as closely associated with glass and crystal as the Lusatian Mountains! Here, the glassmaking craft has a nearly eight-century-long tradition. The art of glass is still very much alive in towns such as Kamenický Šenov or Nový Bor, where world-famous companies are based. To this day, crystal of the highest quality is exported from the Lusatian Mountains all over the world. In the Lusatian Mountains, you’ll have the opportunity to see master glassmakers at work, right in the very heart of the Czech glassmaking industry.
The landscape of the Lusatian Mountains is dotted with towns and villages that date back to the 13th century. Here you will find Baroque monasteries, parish churches, folk architecture, and the remains of military fortifications. These ancient settlements remember the times when the first settlers arrived to tame the wilderness of the mountains, the settlement of the Lusatian Serbs, and the long German history. The towns of the Lusatian Mountains constitute a vivid and colourful record of the oftentimes difficult history of the Czech borderlands.
DMO Lužické a Žitavské hory, z.s.Sídlo spolku: Dolní Prysk 17, Prysk IČO: 07195371
DMO Lužické a Žitavské hory, z.s. - Sídlo spolku: Dolní Prysk 17, Prysk IČO: 07195371
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