Tourism in Krásná Lipa – from planting saplings to steam locomotives

Even before the first paths were created, walking was mankind’s earliest form of movement; at that time, it was merely a means of securing food, or, in the event of life-threatening danger, a way to flee. As time went on, many roads, tracks and paths were created, and people realised that they could travel along these routes not only for trade and work, but also to explore and appreciate the beauty of nature; from there, it was only a short step to the formation of tourist associations.

Krásná Lípa was no exception. The Mountain Association for Northernmost Bohemia (Gebirgsverein für das nördlichste Böhmen), whose first branch was formed from a disbanded tourist association in Krásná Lípa in 1885. This was preceded by the founding of the Mountaineering Association for the Kyjov Valley (1884), which joined the Mountaineering Association for Northernmost Bohemia in 1893. The association operated in the eastern part of Bohemian Switzerland and managed the entire Šluknov Region and the Lusatian Mountains.

It established a dense network of marked hiking trails, complete with signposts, bridges, staircases, ladders and benches; in some places, bird feeders and nesting boxes were also set up. The association was based in Krásná Lípa and comprised as many as 22 sections with a membership of 6,000. The association carried out its activities successfully until the end of the Second World War. As a result of the post-war expulsion of the original population, the club also ceased to exist. In the aftermath, Krásná Lípa was unlucky: although newcomers settled in some of the abandoned houses (around 300 of which were gradually demolished), they had no interest in tourism.

There were a few individuals in the region who pursued this wonderful activity in their spare time. Hiking sections gradually sprang up in the surrounding area, for example in Varnsdorf, Šluknov and Rumburk. In Krásná Lípa, the first post-war hiking association was established at the state-owned enterprise Elite at the turn of 1979–1980; however, its activities were sporadic.

The year 1981 marked a turning point for tourism in Krásná Lípa. A group of young people, all equally enthusiastic about hiking, came together. On 11 November 1981, a hiking section was established within the ROH works club in Krásná Lípa, operating under the umbrella of TJ (the Physical Education Union). The people of Krásná Lípa were blessed with the unique natural beauty of Bohemian Switzerland and the Lusatian Mountains, as well as the remnants of the hiking infrastructure built by the pre-war club. But above all, it was the legacy of the Mountain Association for the Northernmost Part of Bohemia.

Almost everything the Krásná Lípa club did was inspired by the Mountain Association. The love of nature conservation and exploration remains the same as it was a hundred years ago. For today’s hikers, too, this is the guiding principle behind membership. Given that the branch’s activities have always been supported by the town council and the club has had many supporters throughout its history, it has been possible to achieve many wonderful things beyond the scope of the club itself.

In 1982, the club organised its first public event: a three-day High-Altitude Hikers’ Gathering in Kyjov. This was followed by the New Year’s ascent of Vlčí hora, the northernmost winter camping trip in the Czech Republic, the Fairytale Forest, and long-distance and hiking treks through the Elbe Sandstone Rock Castles. The events listed have become traditional fixtures and an integral part of the hiking calendar. The largest event organised by the club was a nationwide international (6 countries) summer gathering in 2006, which took place in the region over 6 days and attracted 2,000 hikers.

Among the significant events organised by the club were the Euroranda events in 2011 and 2016. The club regularly organises district spring gatherings and commemorates significant anniversaries of its parent association, local lookouts, the town and the state. During the celebrations marking 130 years of the KČT and 100 years of the Republic, a re-enactment of an episode from the Rumburk Uprising – which took place at the local railway station a century ago – was staged as part of an all-day programme at Krasná Lipa railway station. The club managed to secure the necessary steam train. The programme included, amongst other things, the unveiling of a commemorative plaque marking the historic event, and a ‘Linden Tree of the Republic’ was planted in front of the station together with the participants. (The ‘Linden Tree of the Republic’ planted to mark the 100th anniversary of the Czech Republic.)

This is not the only tree that the club has either planted or helped to plant. We have a lime tree in Saský Neustad, on Sněžná Street, in Hrádek nad Nisou, and in the housing estate in Krásná Lípa; a maple tree planted by Cimrák Pond was planted to mark the 35th anniversary of the Krásná Lípa branch of the Czech Tourist Club (KČT). Our representatives jointly planted a beech tree in the castle park in Šluknov. Many members have had their own family tree planted in the town park.

Shortly after the branch was founded, the management realised that, if it was to fulfil its vision for future activities, membership fees alone would not be sufficient. And so, from as early as 1982, the association’s sporting activities were combined with voluntary work. The first funds were raised through the collection of recyclable materials and work in the forest and in the Lečiva National Park. Gradually, small-scale business activities were added (a catering licence), including sales at events, whilst further income came from minor publishing activities. The main sources of funding were the operation of two observation towers and participation in established grant schemes. The funds raised were managed in accordance with the principles of sound financial management. Part was allocated to the running of the club, part to its promotion, part to public engagement, and a significant portion was dedicated to the restoration and maintenance of tourist facilities. Just as the Mountain Association had built the first tourist infrastructure, so too did the Krasnolipy club continue these activities.

The first project through which the branch demonstrated a sense of solidarity amongst its members, as well as towards the Mountain Association, was five years’ work on the restoration of the Křinice springs, which the Mountain Association had opened to the public in 1923. Another significant project, involving seven years’ work, was the restoration of the mountain trail in the Kyjov Valley. This was followed by the complete renovation of the Vlčíhora Lookout Tower.

Over the years, the club has taken care of five springs, two rock viewpoints, the Kögler Nature Trail, a wheelchair-accessible path, two lookout towers, the restored St Anne’s forest chapel, the newly built St Anthony of Padua chapel, the monument to Dr Johann Hille in Krásný Buk (the first chairman of the Mountaineering Association, who led the association from 1885 to 1925), a replica of the boundary stone in Severní, and several trees planted by the club. In addition to these club activities, over the course of 40 years of operation, thousands upon thousands of hours have been devoted to the running of the club, but above all to major events for the public.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic, a replica of the boundary post was produced with the financial and material support of Euro Topoz, led by Ing. Michal Osif. The post is fitted with cast state emblems, which were donated to the Krasný Buk Association by the Military History Club of Mladá Boleslav. The post was unveiled on Statehood Day, 28 September 2018, in the presence of a large crowd. The club has installed nearly twenty commemorative plaques, boards and signs in the countryside, marking significant events or providing descriptions of locations. The association is a branch of the Czech Tourist Club (KČT), a member of the Ústí nad Labem Region Senior Citizens’ Club, and a member of the ‘Czech Switzerland’ OPS Destination Fund and the ‘Czech North’ Local Action Group (MAS).

The club has been actively involved in international activities since 1992; it has been cooperating with the Saxon DAV Neustadt club since 1997 and with the Polish PPTK from Lubáň; its latest partner is the Slovak club from Práznovce near Topoľčany. The club’s activities include representing the association on various committees at the KČT Central Committee as well as within the KČT’s regional organisational structures. The branch cooperates with local authorities, organisations and businesses.

As mentioned above, the club draws inspiration for its activities from the Mountain Association. It is interesting to note that, even after almost 100 years (Hs. 1885 and OKČT 1981), there is still a significant overlap between the programmes of both clubs in this area. It is wonderful when an interest group is able to selflessly share its activities with the wider public (all events are open to the public without the need for membership). An added bonus is the benefit to society as a whole that results from the club’s work.

Note on the text: ‘branch’, ‘club’ and ‘association’ always refer to the KČT (Czech Tourist Club)