Česká Kamenice – a trip into nature and the past

Whether viewed from above or from within, Česká Kamenice demonstrates how a town can function whilst striving to be in harmony with its history and the surrounding countryside.

The ‘Brand’ walking trail has recently been restored here; alongside the refurbished viewing points, you’ll also find new larch-wood gazebos and the so-called ‘Mlýnky’ village – a collection of miniature mills and town houses that have been sensitively integrated into the landscape alongside a body of water.

The original model of the village was created at the beginning of the 20th century and has now been successfully restored after 70 years. Those wishing to undertake a longer hike can set off from Kamenice all the way to Studenec (737 m above sea level) with its sweeping panoramic views. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some chamois, which were brought here from the Alps at the start of the last century and found a new home in the Lusatian Mountains.

Those interested in history will certainly not be bored in Česká Kamenice either. You can start south of the town, where Zámecký vrch rises, featuring the ruins of Kamenice Castle dating from the 15th century. Right in the village itself, you’ll find the two most significant religious monuments: the Gothic-Renaissance Church of St James the Greater, where Antonín Dvořák used to play the organ, and the Pilgrimage Chapel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, a High Baroque building designed by the Czech architect of Italian origin, Ottavio Broggio. Adjacent to the chapel is Franz Priedl Park, which the town has successfully renovated and connected to Benátky Street, leading to the town centre.

You can round off your tour of Česká Kamenice and the surrounding area at the Tourist Information Centre at No. 122, Náměstí Míru. It has also been recently refurbished; the interior includes a space for planning trips and an exhibition gallery, and you can buy regional products here – such as beer from the Lužické Mountains Beer Trail, soaps from the Šafrán Soap Workshop, or biscuits from the Paperník bakery.

“We’re happy to serve visitors and tourists coffee, tea or hot chocolate… In summer, we serve iced tea and chilled cider,” says Tereza Havlíčková from the Česká Kamenice information centre.

Česká Kamenice lies at a unique junction of three protected landscape areas: the Lusatian Mountains, the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and the Czech Central Uplands. So come and discover the forgotten gems of our region.