Kytlice

The village is located at an altitude of 462m in the middle of forests in the Lusatian Mountains on both banks of the Kamenice River. It was formed by the merger of three older villages: Dolní Falknov, Falknov and Kytlice. The territory was previously divided into two parts by the river. The northern part belonged to the České Kamenice estate and the southern part to the Słupsk estate.

Dolní Falknov It is located on the right bank of the Kamenice River. Originally, only the manor’s forest house stood here. In 1668, a pub was built here, which later became the residence of the rector. Other houses grew up around it.

Falknov It lies on the left bank of the Kamenice River, and was allegedly founded after 1471. The existence of Falknov is reliably documented only in the 16th century. As early as 1530, a glass factory was created here by glass master Pavel Schürer from Aschberk. Thanks to the rapid development of glassmaking, the village also flourished. There were 30 glass cutting workshops and glass painters in the village. The glass factory included considerable land on which a farm with a grain mill, a brewery and a sawmill were established.

Kytlice In 1731 the glassworks was sold to new owners, the Kittels. Since they were unable to secure enough wood for the factory, Jan Josef Kittel had to stop the factory in 1750. He sold the land belonging to the factory to people for the construction of houses, and in 1758 a new village called Kittlitz (Kytlice) was established in the middle of Falknov.

Mlýny Mlýny is now part of the village of Kytlice. It was previously called Hillův Mlýn after the sawmill that was built there around the middle of the 16th century. Jan Oktavián Kinský granted the land around the sawmill to his subjects and founded a new village.

What you should see

Church of St. Anthony of Padua – the foundation stone was laid on September 7, 1777, but it was consecrated only on October 10, 1782, as its construction was delayed by the war with Prussia. The church is a single-nave Baroque church by the architect Jan Václav Kosch from Děčín. On the main altar is a painting of St. Anthony of Padua, painted after Correggio’s original by the Falknov native Antonín Weiss.

Statue of St. Anthony of Padua – the statue of St. Anthony of Padua standing in the meadow below the church dates from the second half of the 18th century.

Monument to František Xaver Zippe – a monument to the founder of mineralogy and geology in Bohemia, František Xaver Zippe, stands at the site of his birthplace in Dolní Falknov.

Forest Theatre – the forest theatre was established in 1931. Every year in the summer months, theatre performances are organized by both the local Kytlice amateur society and visiting societies.

Natural swimming pool – a picturesque forest pond surrounded on one side by sandstone rocks is used as a natural swimming pool. The pond is guarded by the Kytlický vodník (Kytlický water buffalo) from the local carver Mr. Ivo Švejnoha.

You know that…

…were born in Kytlice:

Antonín Bernard Gurtler – bishop and confessor of Queen Maria Carolina in Naples.

František Xaver Zippe – founder of mineralogy and geology in Bohemia, who greatly contributed to the founding of the National Museum.

Antonín Weiss – flower painter in Amsterdam, founder of the Kytli glass and painting school.

What you should experience

In June, you shouldn’t miss the pilgrimage of St. Anthony of Padua, which begins with a mass with the singing of the Kytlice church choir. It then continues on the meadow in front of the church with various attractions and the sale of folk products.

During the summer months, there are theatre performances in the forest theatre. The programme is available on the notice boards or in the information centre in the Municipal House.

In the exhibition hall in the Municipal House, exhibitions are held in July and August with the possibility of purchasing some of the exhibits.

Where to go for culture

The Skilled Hands Circle organizes various handicraft courses throughout the year (silk painting, basket weaving, wire weaving, bobbin weaving, batik).

The following are already becoming a tradition: a municipal ball, a carnival mask parade, women celebrate their holiday regularly with entertainment and treats at the inn in Mlýny. Easter fun is held in the Municipal House. In June, children celebrate their holiday in the Fairytale Forest. Before Christmas, an Advent exhibition of children’s work from the circle of skilled hands is held with the sale of Christmas decorations and the opportunity to paint gingerbread cookies.

Where to go for sport

Ideal landscape for cycling, possibility of bike trips on maintained paths through the forest. With children, it is possible to use two playgrounds, one by the Municipal House and the other in the park by the restaurant “U zlatokopa”. It is possible to swim in a natural swimming pool with a sandy beach. The nearest tennis courts can be used in the village of Polevsko, which is 4 km away. For golf lovers, the nearest golf course is in the village of Janov in the direction of Hřensko, 24 km away.

What to do in winter

Ideal landscape for cross-country skiing. The nearest ski slope in Polevsko is just over the hill, 4km away. Another larger ski slope in Jiřetín pod Jedlovou, accessible by car and train. Artificially snowed ski slope in Horní Podluží.

Where to go on a trip

Jedlová Lookout – you can reach it on foot or by bike along the red trail. Train connection ŽST Jedlová. Route length 12 km. At the same time, you can visit the nearby ruins of Tolštejn Castle, which was built as a guard castle to protect an important trade route from Bohemia to Lusatia.

Sloup Rock Castle in Bohemia – built on a sandstone rock at a height of 35m. Founded in the 13th century. Observation terrace, a church room carved into the rock. You can get there via Nový Bor either by car or by bike. Distance 11km.

State Chateau Benešov nad Ploučnicí – called the pearl of the Saxon Renaissance. Distance by car 22km. Together you can visit Ostrý Castle, which is half an hour’s walk from the chateau.

Accommodation/food

Penzion Helene, Penzion U Jany, Penzion U lucerny, Penzion Falknov, Penzion Kytlice, Penzion U vleku,  Penzion U Janouškovců, Penzion Stará mlékárna, Penzion Křížová, Penzion U skály, Penzion U Rabasů, Penzion Jitřenka, Restaurace „Duha“, Restaurace „U lucerny“, Restaurace „U zlatokopa“, Restaurace „U Kotrmanna“, Restaurace „Ve Mlýnech“