Šluknov

The town of Šluknov is the northernmost town in the Czech Republic, located in the Ústí nad Labem Region at 51000’ north latitude and 14027’ east longitude, at an elevation of 350 m above sea level. With an area of nearly 47.5 km², it is the second-largest town in the Děčín District, has a population of approximately 5,500, and comprises neighborhoods with fairy-tale names: Císařský, Království, Nové Hraběcí, Rožany, Královka, Kunratice, Fukov, and Harrachov. The town of Šluknov is the natural center of the Šluknov Peninsula, which is also named after it.

The first written record confirming the existence of Šluknov dates back to 1281. The first owners of the Šluknov estate were the Berka family of Dubá. It was at the request of Hynek Berka of Dubá that Šluknov was granted town status in 1359. Subsequent owners of the estate included the Šlejnic family, the Mansfeld family, the Dittrichštejn family, and the Harrach family; the last owner was Ervín Leopold Nostic–Rieneck.

After World War II, the estate was confiscated as German property, and the town of Šluknov became its owner.

Nearby are the protected landscape areas of the Lužické Mountains and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, as well as the youngest national park in the Czech Republic—the Bohemian Switzerland National Park—which, together with the Saxon Switzerland National Park on the German side, ranks among the most unique places in all of Europe. In the past, the Šluknov region was one of the most densely populated areas in the Czech Republic, with widespread industry—agriculture, crafts, weaving, brewing, and livestock farming flourished in the town, as did the mining of gold, silver, copper, and coal in the 15th century. Those days are gone forever. The greatest blow to the town’s growth was dealt by a fire in 1838, from the consequences of which the town never fully recovered. In addition to fires, however, the town was also struck by plagues and world wars.

Today, it offers a picturesque landscape for a peaceful vacation. The Šluknov Uplands, with their gentle hills, are ideal for exploring by bicycle. A well-marked network of hiking and biking trails allows visitors to comfortably explore the region’s most valuable scenic and natural beauty, including numerous natural attractions, cultural monuments, and observation towers. The Šluknov Hook offers a tour of observation towers; there are six of them in this area alone (Tanečnice near Mikulášovice, Dymník near Rumburk, Vlčí Hora near Krásná Lípa, Hrádek near Varnsdorf, Jedlová near Jiřetín pod Jedlovou, and Studenec near Líska); however, hikers can continue on to nearby Saxony, where additional observation towers can be seen.

The abundance of preserved, historically protected buildings offers a journey through architecture ranging from the Baroque to 20th-century modernism. The region also features a number of industrial monuments. A number of remarkable churches are also worth visiting. An extraordinary number of crosses, wayside shrines, and statues of saints have been preserved in the countryside, while the town itself features a number of characteristic buildings typical of northernmost Bohemia and the Upper Lusatia region in Saxony—half-timbered weavers’ houses. To date, some 2,500 of these houses have been preserved in the Šluknov region, many of which are listed as historic monuments. Undoubtedly the town’s most significant landmark is the restored Renaissance Šluknov Castle.

What you should see

Šluknov Castle – with its adjacent English-style park, it is situated on the outskirts of Šluknov, outside the medieval town center, approximately 200 m northeast of Míru Square on Zámecká Street. The castle was built between 1566 and 1573 by Arnošt of Šlejnice and, throughout its history, was owned by many noble families. Since 1945, it has been owned by the town of Šluknov. Following a major fire at the castle in 1986 and twenty years of subsequent neglect, the town achieved what no one had even dared to hope for: instead of selling the dilapidated castle to one of the many interested parties, it gradually restored it step by step, secured financial grants, and ultimately held a grand opening for the entire castle. This took place in June 2007, and since then the castle has been open to the public in all its restored splendor. The castle is also surrounded by a restored English-style castle park. Today, the castle offers a guided tour that allows visitors to explore nearly all of its rooms, including period rooms with original exhibits. Guided tours take place year-round, every day of the week—including Saturdays and Sundays—from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., starting every hour on the hour. On the ground floor of the castle, visitors can access the Regional Information Center with public internet access, which provides services to all tourists and visitors to the city. Also worth a visit is the excellent castle pastry shop, whose sweet pastries have been awarded the regional product label. The castle comes alive with weddings and other ceremonial events, regular exhibitions, city council meetings, and other cultural events, the most significant of which is the now-traditional Castle Festival, held at the castle and in the castle park on the last weekend of June. The castle also offers its dignified and beautiful spaces for rent.

Archdeacon’s Church of St. Wenceslas – is located below the northern part of Míru Square on Farní Street. It is a single-nave Baroque church dedicated to St. Wenceslas, built between 1711 and 1714 by Zachariáš Hoffmann of Lipová. The church was destroyed by fire during the city’s fire of 1710. It was rebuilt in 1722. Inside the church is a sarcophagus from 1548 belonging to Arnošt of Šlejnice—the then-owner of the Šluknov estate. The main altarpiece is the work of Mr. Schmidt of Krams, and the church itself is decorated with wood carvings and statues of Czech saints. The church was reconsecrated following its renovation in 1993. Stone Empire-style Fountain: It dates from 1794, and its creator is unknown. It is located on Míru Square and consists of a two-step oval granite staircase and a massive granite basin carved from a single piece of stone, within which stands a sandstone obelisk with two gargoyles.

Holy Trinity Column (St. Wenceslas, St. Florian, St. John of Nepomuk) – This Baroque column from 1752 was created in the workshop of sculptor Josef Klein, a native of Česká Kamenice. The column, located on Míru Square, is carved from sandstone and stands 8.8 m tall.

The Stations of the Cross – construction took place between 1738 and 1756, when it was consecrated. It includes twelve stations, the last of which is the Calvary Chapel at the top of the path. This chapel houses a stone Calvary sculpture group depicting the Crucified Christ, the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, and the Apostle John. Other structures include the Chapel of the Flagellation, the Chapel of the Last Supper, and the Chapel of Christ’s Prison. The Garden of Gethsemane is also part of the Stations of the Cross complex. It consists of a cohesive ensemble of sandstone sculptures depicting the reclining apostles St. Peter, James, and John, the kneeling Christ, and an angel holding a chalice. You will also find a memorial to those who fell or went missing in World War I and World War II, a memorial to Friedrich Schiller, and three tree-lined avenues. A complete renovation took place between 1998 and 2005.

Maple Gate – this unique natural formation of two trees grown together can be found in the Rožany district. Legend has it that when his two sons were born, the landowner planted two maple trees. The time came when the father had to send his sons to World War I. One of the sons fell in battle. The father symbolized this painful loss through his actions. He tied the two growing maple trees together so that the two trunks formed a single, spreading crown—a symbol of the merging and unity between those we have mourned and those in whom we place new hopes and faith. Kunratice Arboretum A park collection of living trees and shrubs, containing nearly 3,000 specimens. The northernmost arboretum in the Czech Republic, covering an area of 4.2 ha, belongs to the Šluknov Forestry School and Secondary School of Forestry.

You know that…

… The history of Šluknov is shrouded in a number of mysterious tales. The best known is undoubtedly the story of the White Lady of Šluknov Castle, the apparition of the beautiful Countess Marie Terezie Dittrichštejnová, wife of Count Karel Adam of Mansfeld. He loved his countess beyond words and did not want anyone else to admire her beauty, so the count locked his beloved away in a small chamber on the second floor of the castle. The poor noblewoman’s only companion there was a spinning wheel, on which she spent her days spinning. The count’s behavior, however, was very unpredictable; sometimes he was tender and full of love, while at other times he was brooding and furious, so much so that even a gentle word from the countess could drive him into a rage. One day, when he was in a particularly bad mood, he burst into the chambers to find his countess, who was spinning on her spinning wheel. In a fit of jealousy—even toward the spinning wheel itself—he hurled it out the window, and when the countess tried to stop him, he pushed her out of the open window. Unfortunately, there was a large rock on the ground below the window, and the unfortunate countess struck her head on it and died instantly. Driven by remorse, the jealous man fled that very night. It is said he ran off toward Budyšín, then joined a band of mercenaries and died during the siege of Bremen. The ghost of his murdered, beautiful wife is said to still wander the chambers of Šluknov Castle to this day in the form of the White Lady.

What you should experience

Every year in Šluknov, always on the last weekend of June, the traditional Castle Festival takes place, each time with a specific theme. The festival, which has taken on a regional and cross-border character, brings the entire town and region to life within the castle grounds and the castle park. Friday evening kicks off the festivities with a period parade and an evening concert in the castle park. On Saturday, visitors can enjoy period markets, crafts, jousting tournaments, period dances, live bands, jugglers, a period tavern, children’s contests, and much more throughout the day. The entire castle is also open, offering exhibitions and guided tours. Saturday’s festivities then conclude with an evening concert by well-known performers and a festive fireworks display. The winter castle evenings in the castle attic are also very interesting.

Where to go for culture

The Cultural Center in Šluknov organizes various cultural and social events (exhibitions, balls, children’s carnivals, brass band afternoons, the burning of the witches, Fairy Tale Forest, Christmas tree lighting, etc.). It also offers facilities for other active pursuits (trampoline workouts, Zumba, aerobics, belly dancing). Likewise, Šluknov Castle hosts various cultural and social events, offers guided tours of the castle, interesting exhibitions, and—outside the tourist season—castle evenings in the castle attic featuring an unconventional night tour accompanied by living tableaux and a narrated story, culminating in a cultural program (concert, theater) in the castle attic, where visitors can enjoy the castle tea room serving premium teas.

Where to Go for Sports, Relaxation, and Entertainment

To the Sláva Novotný Sports Stadium, featuring a grass soccer field, tennis and oilball courts, a sauna, and a restaurant; also to the Squash Center (2 courts, sauna, tanning bed, table tennis), or for bowling at the local pizzeria, or skittles at the skittle alley. In the Království district, you can visit the local Ranch K (“Konírna”), which offers horseback riding, lessons with an instructor, a tour of the stables, and a pleasant time at the “Na Konírně” Country Club. Annual rodeos are also held here. For rest, relaxation, and your health, you’ll surely enjoy a visit to the local salt cave.