Discovering the art of glass – day one
On the very first day, the Lusatian Mountains and Podještědí will show you some of the very best they have to offer – in spectacular style! Start your stay in Česká Kamenice – visit the glass astronomical clock that pays homage to the original wooden clock from 1920. Near the astronomical clock, the Baroque Chapel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is located. Inside, you can admire the statue of the Virgin Mary of Love from 1608. The place is also home to a plague chariot, a reminder of the plague that spread in Kamenice in the 18th century. From the chapel, it is only a short walk to the newly revitalized forest park which leads past several interesting sights – the restored village of miniatures Mlýnky-Brand, the Jehla lookout point, or the carved-into-rock Brothers’ Altars.
At the railway station in Česká Kamenice, get on the Kamenický motoráček, a train that continues the tradition of the glassmakers’ local rail track. On the approximately 5-kilometres-long route, the historic train will take you through steep curves around Zámecký vrch all the way to the railway station in Kamenický Šenov. Here, what will definitely catch your eye is the monumental factory chimney bearing the inscription of “Jílek”. It belongs to the Jílek Glassworks, a visit to which should be mandatory when visiting these parts. After the tour, while waiting for the train back to Kamenický Šenov, you can refresh yourself in the café on the tracks called Druhá kolej.
In the winter months, head up to Šenov along the educational trail – you will experience an unforgettable view of the Panská skála at sunset. In the summer months, in order to enjoy the sunset, you should visit Panská skála in the evening, around 9 o’clock.
Enjoy the view, dance with the devil – day two
Start the day at sunrise with an early morning climb up the famous Klíč mountain – the earlier you start in the morning, the more likely you are to avoid the crowds and see the sun rising over the circular panorama that Klíč boasts.
From Klíč, it is only a short distance to your next destination – the Rock Castle and hermitage in Sloup v Čechách. While visiting the castle, be sure to go on a walk through the village conservation area. In Sloup, you will find many monuments of folk architecture – Upper Lusatian-Style houses with timbered and half-timbered floors, a chateau that now houses a home for the elderly, and Radvanecký rybník, a pond that is a popular summer destination due to its vast size and sandy beach.
The castle that was made famous by fairy tales with devils is located very close to another devil-related monument – caves, known locally as the Deserted Churches in Cvikov. Originally an underground dam, carved into the rock to bring water to the local mirror factories, today the caves are a very popular spot with tourists, offering a truly magical atmosphere. Not far from the Deserted Churches, you can find the Hell Mines, the largest caves in Europe. Today, they belong to a motorcycle club. If you would like to visit them, we recommend asking ahead for opening times.
A walk through the region of St. Zdislava – day three
Podještědí is a region where the legacy of St. Zdislava can be found at every turn. For this reason, day three of your itinerary should start with a trip to Lemberk Castle, the seat of Zdislava and Havel of Lemberk, where you can visit, among other things, Zdislava’s Chamber, where the famous saint is said to have prayed. The castle also includes the Bredovský Summer Palace with its chateau garden. A little further towards the town, you can admire Zdislava’s well, whose spring is said to have healing powers. A walk around Lemberk is a pleasant trip in itself.
Day three will also take you to the monumental Baroque Basilica Minor of St. Lawrence and St. Zdislava in Jablonné v Podještědí, where the tomb of St. Zdislava is located and which has recently undergone reconstruction.
And finally, you will stop nearby at the breathtaking White Stones, also known as the Elephant Rocks that resemble a herd of elephants. They are located next to the main road towards Liberec in Jítrava.
