Rumburk

The town lies at the foot of Dýmník Hill, in the valley of the Mandava River, in the eastern part of the Šluknov Hook. The first written mention of Rumburk (originally Romberch) comes from a document issued by the town council of Zhořelec on July 7, 1298, when Heindrich the Younger of Rumburk was one of the councilors.

Rumburk is first documented as a small town in 1377. Emperor Rudolf II granted it a new coat of arms (a swan and a lily) in 1587. The town’s name is derived from the German “Ronne.” The original “Ronnerberg” became “Rumburg” (Rumburk). The town’s golden age was at the turn of the 19th 19. and 20th centuries, when Rumburk was nicknamed “Little Paris of the North” due to its construction boom and vibrant social life. Rumburk has border crossings into Saxony. Currently, Rumburk is developing into a modern administrative center in the northernmost corner of the Czech Republic.

What you should see

Modern Architecture – The city features several exceptional buildings, such as the Expressionist-style former bank designed by F. Lehmann and the Art Deco-style Café Henke by F. Rösler.

Folk architecture – the original wooden complex of 18 half-timbered weavers’ houses from the 18th century is located on Šmilovského Street and is protected as a village heritage reserve.

The Loreto Chapel of the Virgin Mary – Prince Anton Florian of Liechtenstein commissioned the construction of a replica of the Holy House based on a design by the renowned Viennese architect Johann Lucas Hildebrandt. The chapel was consecrated on September 15, 1707. 1707. Devotion to the Virgin Mary was associated with a series of miracles. Together with the cloister and the Holy Stairs, the Loreto Chapel was part of the Capuchin monastery complex (now a library). With its stucco and sculptural decorations, the Rumburk Loreto Chapel ranks among the most valuable Loreto chapels in the Czech Republic. Johann Franz Bienert of Schirgiswalde is the creator of the three dozen sculptures of the Sibyls, the prophets, and the group depicting Jesus’s relatives from the Holy Hut and the entrance balustrade. Stories from the lives of the Virgin Mary and Jesus are also depicted in the rich ceiling decorations of the cloister. Since 2013, the Loreto complex has housed a permanent exhibition of ecclesiastical art from the Šluknov region, which is unique in the area.

The Stations of the Cross on Strážný Hill – this is one of the newest Stations of the Cross in the Šluknov region. The design and construction were carried out by Josef Hampel, a builder from Rumburk. The unique terracotta reliefs, originally polychromed, come from the renowned Mayer Art Institute in Munich, Bavaria.

Dýmník Lookout Tower – The brick August Tower on Dýmník Hill (515 m above sea level) dates back to 1896, when it was commissioned by city councilman August Wenschuh. In his honor, the tower was also known as the August Tower. The glass-enclosed observation deck offers views of Rumburk as well as vistas of the Lusatian Mountains, Hvozd, Ještěd, Vlčí hora, and Kottmar. Since 2010, the tower has been one of the stops on the Dýmník Nature Trail, built by Lesy ČR.

You know that…

…before 1945, the Kiesslich family created one of the largest moving nativity scenes in Europe (36 m) in the town, featuring complex mechanics and more than a thousand figurines? Part of the nativity scene is on display at the Rumburk Museum. …the writer Franz Kafka spent his vacation at the Frankenstein Sanatorium in Rumburk in July 1915?

…director M. Frič artistically adapted the history of the Rumburk Military Uprising of May 21, 5. 1918, in the film *A Star Called Wormwood* (1964)?

… in the 1920s, the Kaehlert & Ruppe company manufactured Bekamo motorcycles in the city? The company, founded by engineer Hugo Ruppe (1879–1949), moved to Rumburk from Berlin due to the economic crisis. Factory riders competed on modified machines.

Sports and Recreation

The city features a year-round indoor swimming pool, an outdoor swimming complex, tennis courts, a soccer-golf course, a soccer field, volleyball and footvolley courts, a skatepark, and sports centers.

In winter, you can visit the indoor ice rink or the ski lift at Strážný Vrch.

Where to go for culture

The town offers a diverse range of cultural events throughout the year. A movie theater with 3D projection, as well as theater and exhibition halls, are located in the Střelnice Cultural Center. The local amateur theater is very active. The history of the city and its surroundings is brought to life by the museum’s collections, which are also known for their nativity scene exhibitions. The Loreto features exhibits on the history of the building and the Loreto underground, and exhibitions are held there. Classical music concerts take place in the churches.

Among the most significant social events are the Rumburk City Festivities in August. The Domeček Na Kopečku offers an alternative program. Additional events—not just for children—are organized by the Rumburk Children’s and Youth Center, which also serves as a leisure center and provides extracurricular education for all age groups. Exhibitions and interesting lectures are occasionally held at the Rumburk Municipal Library as well.