Dolní Poustevna

The first mention of Dolní Poustevna dates back to 1213 – while marking the border between the Bohemian kingdom and the bishopric of Meissen, surveyors met a hermit in the area of today’s village – hence the name of the village.

Dolní Poustevna is adjacent to the German town of Sebnitz, which is the gateway to the Saxon Switzerland. In the Middle Ages, the town was located on the salt trade route from Halle and Meissen to Šluknov and further to Bohemia.

Dolní Poustevna was known throughout northern Bohemia and Saxony for its handmade paper mill (1579-1906) and the production of artificial flowers.

The railway has been running to the town since 1904 and the connection between Dolní Poustevna and Sebnitz, which was interrupted after 1945, will soon be restored. The restoration of this line, planned for the first half of 2014, will benefit tourism by linking the national parks of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland. There is also a car border crossing in the town, which is used by more than 2 million tourists a year.

What you should see

Poustevník Hill (454 m) – local name Špičák, which was formed by volcanic activity. The hill is located between Horní Poustevná and Nová Viska and is a popular sightseeing spot, to which a nature trail will lead to the stone monuments. At the top of the hill originally stood a stone cross built by Prussian soldiers in 1866.

Baroque statue of Pieta (1748) – you can find it in the centre of the town, at the crossing to Sebnitz. In the back of the statue there is a reliquary. It has been a cultural monument since 1966 and was restored in 2005.

Monument “At the White Lady” (1801) – located on the road from the town to the former Max’s hut. According to the legend, a landowner killed a soldier with a pitchfork who was secretly meeting his wife at this place. According to the legend, the sinner still appears here and calls her lover in vain.

The former evangelical church (from 1937) in the centre of the town – not built, later a ruin, which was reconstructed in 2009 into the “Meeting Centre in Dolní Poustevna” with a lookout tower. The interior of the church has been rebuilt into a large concert and theatre hall.

The Church of Archangel Michael was built in 1854-55 in the pseudo-Gothic style. The altars are in the same style and on the main altar there is a painting by J. Gruss from Litoměřice from 1826.

Altar of St. John of Nepomuk is by J. Hájek from 1769 and was transferred from the original stone chapel that stood next to the current Mexican restaurant (Andres). The site is marked by planted lime trees and in the middle stands a pedestal with a 19th century cross.

Church of Our Lady – in the Margaret part, founded in 1667 and named after Countess Margareta Slavat, there is a picturesque church of Our Lady from 1854. There is a cemetery near the church, founded in 1874 and serving the whole Horní Poustevna.

Lookout tower Tanečnice (596 m) – 3 km southeast of the town (across the German territory), tower from 1904, 26 m high, the northernmost lookout tower in the Czech Republic. One of the most beautiful views of North Bohemia (Giant Mountains, rocks of Saxon Switzerland, etc.); there is a restaurant on the top.

Other destinations in neighbouring Sebnitz

Urzeitpark / Prehistoric Park in Sebnitz – just after the border crossing on the left. Statues of prehistoric lizards and dinosaurs.

Afrikahaus Museum, in an old half-timbered house, 4,000 exhibits from Africa

Alfred Meiche Museum, in an old half-timbered house, exhibitions on the history of artificial flower production, folk art, history of the town, gallery.

Deutsche Kunstblume Sebnitz – Workshop with artificial flower production, tours and sales. It demonstrates an important industry that spread from China, Italy and France to Germany and then via Mikulášovice (1810) and Dolní Poustevna to Sebnitz (1834). Today, the production of artificial flowers is preserved on Czech territory only in Velké Šenov (Centroflor).

The large bookshop Buchhandlung Sebnitz on the square, the most extensive selection of literature and maps about Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland and North Bohemia

Sebnitz station – renovated as a tourist place for boarding excursions, the shape of the waiting room corresponds to the 1930s, signs also in Czech, exhibition of motorcycles (veterans).

What you should experience

Don’t miss the hay, sea or evening primrose bath in the relaxing herbal spa Dr. Petzold Bad in Sebnitz (1 km from Dolní Poustevna) Outdoor and indoor pools, open all year round including saunas, wraps, massages. The highlight is a treatment called the Countess Cosel bath (for 2 people), ending with sipping sparkling wine directly in the ancient bath.

Where to go for culture

International Puppet Festival (end of September) – in the puppet theatre, amateur and professional troupes with their work

Rock Festival on the Square (August)

Guitar concerts in the Puppet Theatre or the Meeting Centre (April, November)

“Meeting Centre in Dolní Poustevna ” – in the former evangelical church, regular events (according to the cultural calendar)

Sebnitzer Blumentage (April) – Spring Festival on the square in Sebnitz with a programme.

Where to go for sport

The tourist march “Northern Footsteps” (always on the second Saturday in May), an international tourist march in the surroundings of Dolní Poustevna, is organized by KČT Dolní Poustevna and has been regularly organized since 1977; it is the most successful tourist event of the Ústí nad Labem Region.

Sports hall (under the railway station)

Multi-purpose playground with artificial turf (near the National House)

Summer swimming pool in Sebnitz – Dr. Petzold Spa from June to August, 10.00 – 20.00

Rope centre in Sebnitz, behind the border near the Forellenschänke restaurant, tel. 0049 35971-809587

What to do in winter

Downhill slopes (artificial lighting), 300 m slope in Rugiswald (5 km, uphill through Sebnitz towards Neustadt, right turn) and in Sebnitz (1 km, after the former border crossing left uphill to the so-called Sebnitzer Wald)

Maintained cross-country skiing trails in the Sebnice Forest.

Tips for Day Trips

Hike to Čtverec – through the Karolín valley to the restaurant and shooting range Čtverec in the forest – back to Horní Poustevna by the blue trail.

D. Poustevna – Forellenschänke – Tanečnice – Mikukášovice lower station – Vilémovský viaduct – D. Poustevna

Over the border crossing on considerable paths through German territory to the top of Tanečnice to the lookout tower (view from the Krkonoše to the Ore Mountains). Refreshments in the hut.

Follow the blue trail up to the Vilémovský viaduct, once the second largest in Bohemia, and then follow the unmarked trail through the Vilémovský brook valley back to D. Poustevna – about 13 km.

D. Poustevna – ex. Maxova bouda – Rugiswalde – Unger – Sebnitz – Dolní Poustevna

An unmarked path around the station into the woods to the ex. Through the woods, following the signs across the road to the Unger mountain to the lookout hut, excellent views. Descend to Sebnitz on the red trail, from the square follow the signs to the crossing and to D. Poustevna – 16 km.

Educational trail of stone monuments – maps stone crosses, leads from Dolní Poustevna through Horní Poustevna, to Poustevník Hill and to Nová Víska.

Hinterhermsdorf (old half-timbered houses, resort) with a trip to the Krinitz Gorge (boating in Ober Schleuse).

These destinations can be visited especially in connection with marked cycling routes leading through the whole Šluknov region and the area of Czechoslovak Switzerland.

Accommodation / catering

Pension – Restaurant – Pub U Krejzu in the centre of the town, Iveta Vodrážková, tel. +420 412 397 822, 20 beds/5 rooms

Restaurant Čtverec, direction Vilémov, shooting range Čtverec, Josef Křivonoska, tel. +420 412 397 547

Mexican restaurant Chiles Restaurant – Daniel Andres, tel. +420 412 397 550

Fajn Restaurant – Zdeněk Bašta, tel. +420 602 335 299

Motorest Dolina – by the road in the forest in the direction of Vilémov (Walter Richter), tel. +420 412 397 683

In Sebnitz, near the border crossing:

Restaurant “Forellenschänke”, Mannsgrabenweg 14, tel. 0049 35971 80668, suitable for families with children. Children’s area, miniature golf, pond.

Restaurant Am Bergkeller, Bergstr. 27, tel.0049 35971-53589 – direction Forellenschänke, further up Bergstraße, cosy restaurant with a beautiful view (“der Balkon von Sebnitz”).