Liberec

Situation

Liberec is a city in the north of Bohemia situated between the Jested Ridge and the Jizera Mountains. Jested is a dominant feature of the city. It is 1012 metres high mountain with the cone-shaped hotel on the top, which sketches in the shape of the mountain. It was built in the second half of sixties by Karel Hubáček, who was rewarded by Perret prize. The cable-car leads upstairs, so it's a nice destination for lazy tourists. The northern side of a surrounding of Liberec (formed by the Jizera Mountains) is more aimed to sport activities, begging by hiking, cycling and ending by skiing in winter. So these are the reasons why Liberec is so popular by tourists and why tourism makes important part of city-income.

In last eight years has population rapidly decreased, and now is lower than 100 000, what files the city to the worse category in distribution of state subsidies. So councillors are trying to connect small surrounding villages, to get the city to the higher level.

History

Liberec was first time mentioned in 1352 as a small village. In 1577 was Liberec promoted to the City by Rudolf II. In this time were build stone buildings and the city turned beautiful. Next bigger change was in the beginning of nineteen century, when Liberec was the centre of textile industry. It has a great importance and made Liberec the second largest city in Bohemia (after Prague).

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