Linden

The centre of the village of Lipová (Haňšpach – Hainspach) is situated at 360 m above sea level, along the Liščí brook, which forms the backbone of the valley from north to south, surrounded by a wreath of wooded hills. To the east the Broad Forest, to the south the Guard Hill and Brockstein, to the south-west the Deer Hill and to the north-west the Fox Hill. It is a very old settlement, which is evidenced by the findings of worked flint from the Stone Age, as well as runes found at the “Black Cross” during road construction.

The modern settlement is assumed to have begun in 1000 AD by settlers from Thuringia, Franconia and Flanders, who urbanised the local wooded valley and brought about a considerable flourishing of agriculture, crafts and later industrial production. The oldest production of buffalo horn and walnut buttons in the Austro-Hungarian Empire was here, and there was also an aluminium rolling mill, cardboard and cardboard production, nail production, two stone quarries, etc. In 1430 the Hussites destroyed the manor buildings and the settlement of ‘Breitenau’ above the village.

The Hainspach estate was the centrepiece throughout the whole period, which was especially elevated by Wilhelm Leopold Salm-Reifferscheidt with the construction of a magnificent Baroque mansion with a French and English park in 1737-1741. The old castle existed before 1500 and was incorporated into the castle brewery after the construction of the new castle. The new castle has become a ruin and now has a chance of being saved thanks to the Via Tempora Nova civic association. Next to the castle there is a beautiful pond founded by Slavata of Chlum and Kosumberk in 1675.

In the centre of the village there is a Baroque bridge with a reconstructed cross from 1850, as well as two Baroque statues – St. John of Nepomuk and St. Joseph.

South of Lipová is a part of the village of Ludvíkovičky surrounded by forest on three sides, it has mainly recreational character.

In the eastern direction lies a part of the village of Nová Lipová, where there is a curiosity in the form of a small watercourse that runs through the pools opposite each house, which were used for the collection of domestic water.

The village includes the settlement of Liščí, originally an ancient independent village Röhrsdorf, once the richest village of the Šluknov Spur. In 1949 the village was annexed to Lipová. In the past it had 57 houses, now it has eight, a sheepfold and a chapel. The church from 1880 is only a ruin. Very well preserved is a timber-framed house with a lean-to, dated 1803 on the portal. On the edge of the forest there is a memorial to the fallen of the First World War.

What you should see

Podstávkový dům – built by Zacharias Hoffmann on the site of a former pond shortly before 1727. In 2013, the Information Centre was inaugurated here. It also includes a museum, workshops for children and adults. Various cultural and other events are held here.

The oak tree – pyramidal form, was planted in 1879 in honour of the silver wedding of the imperial couple Franz Joseph I and his wife Elizabeth called “Sisi”.

School from 1897 – built in Renaissance style. One of the most beautiful school buildings in the Šluknov region.

The Chateau Pond and Sohland Pond – where waterfowl regularly nest – were reconstructed in 2010 and 2011. The swans in particular attract attention.

The Three Pines Stone – on the state border, marked the manors of Wehrsdorf, Sohland and Hainspach (Linden).

Church of St. Simon and Jude – dating from 1693, stands on the site of the original church from 1346. On the gable side it bears the coat of arms of the Salm-Reifferscheidt family, which is supported by two bears. The main altar, three side altars and the pulpit were designed in 1839 by the Dresden court sculptor Franz Johann Pettrich.

The chapel in Liščí – situated among the mature trees, built in 1826. Together with the sub-house it forms an idyllic whole, especially in the snowy winter landscape.

You know that…

…there was a chateau brewery in the village, where they brewed beer of excellent taste? The beer was exported as far as the USA, where there were branded breweries in New York, but also in nearby Dresden. The annual output was up to 45,000 hl.

…the bell on the Church of St. Simon and Jude celebrated the 500th anniversary of its casting on the spot in 2012?

…the castle pond, which was built in 1675-78, has an area of 11 ha and is the largest in the western part of the Šluknov foothills?

…in 1737 a baroque castle was built by Count Leopold Salm-Reifferscheidt, who gained fame in the Turkish wars? The castle was built according to the calendar – 12 chimneys – 12 months, 52 rooms – 52 weeks, 365 window and door openings as days of the year, etc. Today it is a ruin, but thanks to Via Tempora Nova it has a chance to be reborn in its original splendour, as does the castle park.

…in the area of the village during the last ice age, the Nordic glacier ended and in the forests we find so-called wandering stones from Scandinavia?

…is there a private airport in the village of Lipová?

Where to go on a trip

Brockstein – viklan, in the surroundings wandering stones from Scandinavia, Nová Lipová – a system of pools for drinking water.

Breitenau – probably an extinct town destroyed by the Hussites.

Castle Pond, Jáchymberk, Annaberk, Wolf Springs, Dolní Lipová.

Centre of the village, Sohland pond, Sohland crossing, restaurant with a lookout tower in Sohland, along the state border to the three-pan stone, Liščí, Lipová.

Lipová, linden avenue to Vilémov – pilgrimage chapel with the tomb of the Lipov Counts and back.

Lipová, Liščí – here turn to the state border, then around the border crossing for pedestrians in Severní, then along the state border to the northernmost point of the Czech Republic (Nord cap) – formerly the northernmost point of Austria-Hungary, back to Severní, along the beer path to Lipová.

Where to go for culture

In April, witch burning and maypole building at Pytlák’s, in June for Children’s Day, painting on the Sohland road.

A large event, the Lipovsky Fair, with up to 2,000 people attending.

Lipovský dřevák (woodcarving) whose resulting works are placed around the village, but not only here.

St. Nicholas entertainment and balls in the restaurant U Pytláka. On the first Advent, a Christmas tree is regularly built and decorated, which is enriched by a children’s performance, and concerts are also held in the church in December.

Where to go for sport

A beautiful playground, built in the very centre of the village in 2011, is used to entertain children from the surrounding area.

Those who want to in-line skate in the beautiful surrounding countryside have the unique opportunity to use the asphalt road around Sahland Pond up to the state border.

Watch football matches Šluknov B/Lipová on the field near the restaurant Pytlák, but also be active in the same area during volleyball or netball.

For swimming you can use the natural swimming pool, reconstructed after the flood, or the castle pond.

What to do in winter

Walks through the snow-covered landscape through the lime avenue, where the path is always covered.

Cross-country skiing is possible on marked trails in nearby Sohland, which you will encounter shortly after the border crossing at the end of the Sohland road.

Accommodation/food

House Lipová u Šluknova Czechoslovakian Switzerland, http://www.chatatour.cz/cz/oo583-dum-lip. Year-round rental. With its spaciousness the house is suitable for recreational stays of several families or larger groups. Guests have at their disposal a fenced garden with seating, garden grill, umbrella, sandpit and swimming pool (diameter 3.5 m).

Restaurant U Pytláka, Lipová 377, tel. no. 412 391 340, 606 834 866. Accommodation: 3 apartments, tourist hostel – for 25 people in six rooms

Wine bar POD Lípou with restaurant and garden, Lipová 203