Location
City of Liberec (german: Reichenberg) is located in the North Bohemia in Liberec Valley of Neisse river
between Jeschken Ridge (JZ) and Jizera Mountains (Izergebirge - SV).
Centrum města leží na 50°43´ severní šířky a 15°04´ východní délky ve výšce 374 m.n.m.
Nejvyšším bodem je vrchol Ještědu ve výšce 1012 m.n.m., dolní stanice kabinové lanové dráhy
má 600 m.n.m., koryto řeky Nisy je kolem 350 m.n.m.
Rozloha: 10 610 ha
Počet obyvatel: cca 106,000 (as of 1/1/2010), with near Jablonec/Gablonz a.d. Neisse more than 150,000.
City coat-of-arms:
History
History of Liberec is dated back to 13th century, first mentioned in 1352 as a small merchant
settlement. In next two centuries, Liberec become a liege town. First rulers of Liberec were
Bibersteins, who died off in 1551. Then the protestant Rederns come. They founded Manor House with
chapel, hospital, prison and others. This was base for enormous glory of the city in next
centuries. In 1577, Liberec was proclaimed for town by emperor Rudolph II. and was given his
own coat-of-arms with red castle and symbol of Redern dynasty.
Next ruler of city was Albrecht Wenceslas Eusebius von Wallenstein, the main person of Thirty
Year's War (1618-1648) who changed town into textile production-leading giant, nearly all
austrian soldiers were supplied from Liberec. After his death in 1634, Clam-Gallases come and
city was destroyed by attacking Swedish armies.
In second half of 19th century, Liberec was second biggest city of Kingdom of Bohemia and
important city for all czech germans, called "Metropolis of the North" and quickly became capital city
for Sudetenland region. End of 18th century is considered as the "Golden Age of Liberec."
First textile manufactories changed into factories. In half of 19th century first great villas and
manors are being erected, schools and gymnasiums are being built, railway come to the city
(connecting Wien - Brünn - Pardubice - Liberec - Berlin), city centre expanded, new theatre
and new City hall were constructed. Textile industry and industrial architecture developed.
Liberec gained statut of free city in 1848, some representative buildings were built. There were three consulates
and also more than 50 textile factories at that time, with another 60 factories of metal-working industry residing here.
In 1918, Liberec wanted to be merged with Austria or Germany, declared independence, have
own currency, government (Rudolph Lodgman von Auen), national bank, own army, but
starvation and Czechoslovakian army with panzerwagen crushed all resistance. After economic
crisis in 1930, city was heavilly affected because all luxury goods were exported. In 1938, after
Münich agreement, Konrad Henlein added Sudetenland to Nazi Germany. In may 1945, germans in Liberec were
defeated, Germans were transferred to Germany and Czechs settled here. During soviet agression
in 1968, 9 people in Liberec and its surroundings died. Today the city is famous for it's sport opportunities,
often called "Bohemian Innsbruck." It held various sporting events ranging from FIS Nordic World Ski Champ 2009
to U21 Euro Football Champ.
FOR another Liberec-based thread, please visit our Projects and Constructions section
Aerial
Panoramatic Views
- hilly/rural countryside near Liberec..
- ..most of the region is more mountainous though
Historical buildings, city centre
- Cityhall
Neptun's Fountain on Central Sq. (Altstadter Platz)
Theatre with Post-office
North Bohemian Museum and City Spa on Masaryk Ave
etc. etc. :cheers:
Modern architecture
Tipsport Arena - Indoor Arena and homestand for HC White Tigers Liberec
Public Library
The highest building, Krajský úřad Libereckého Kraje (Seat of Regional Govt)
2nd highest building, S-Tower aka Syner Group Tower
Shopping possibilities in the center of the town
Forum (completed 2009/2010)
Plaza (2009)
Tramline 11. Interurban tram Liberec-Jablonec which leads through forests and hills, it is said that it is the most romantic on the world...
Statues, city parks, others
...
more pictures on
Modry Medved
Libe 4ever. :drunk:
