Liberec and Sychrov Joyfull Cities

www.visitliberec.eu Accessibility: 110 km from Prague

by train from Prague 2 h 30 min by bus from Prague 1 h 15 min by car from Prague 1 h 11 min

Target group: Pleasure seekers: families with children

The architecturally remarkable city of Liberec lies in the embrace of the Jizera mountains at the foot of Mount Ještěd, crowned with a unique namesake conical hotel. In recent years, it has become a popular destination thanks primarily to a number of entertainment centres. The Gothic Revival-style Sychrov Chateau, located 20 km away, is not only a popular film location, but also one of the most significant heritage sites representing the historical style of the 19th century.

Liberec A City Surrounded with Mountains The heart of Liberec will charm you with its majestic Neo-Renaissance City Hall and the nearby Franz Joseph I Town Spa, built in the same style, which today houses the Regional Art Gallery, while the 17th-century halftimbered Valdštejn (Wallenstein) town houses are the city’s oldest historical sights. There are also breath-taking historical villas around the city. The most significant 20th-century architectural work, however, is the unusual mountain hotel with a restaurant and observation tower at the summit of Ještěd. It was designed by Karel Hubáček who, as the only Czech architect to date, was awarded the prestigious Auguste Perret Prize of the International Union of Architects for the project. A magnificent entertainment centre is a new hit attraction. iQLANDIA is a super-modern science centre with a Planetarium and uniquely conceived exhibitions with hundreds of interactive exhibits. Another unique feature is the Babylon entertainment centre, the largest entertainment, social and hotel complex under one roof in the Czech Republic, with an amusement park, 4D cinema, labyrinth (the largest mirror maze in Europe), iQPark and an aqua park. The local botanical gardens and zoo provide plenty of rare experiences, such as the white tigers, bred nowhere else in Europe. Liberec is also devoted to sport. The surrounding area is famous for its excellent terrain for hiking, cycling and downhill and cross-country skiing. The most famous Czech skiing race, the FIS World Cup Jizerská 50 is held nearby.

10 Destination Manual 2020 | Cultural Tourism

www.zamek-sychrov.cz Accessibility: 92 km from Prague

by train from Prague — by bus from Prague — by car from Prague 1 h

Target group: Pleasure seekers: families with children

Sychrov Chateau A Flower of France on Czech Soil Sychrov is one of the most romantic Czech chateaux. Its Baroque origins and Classicist and Gothic Revival-style redevelopments lend it a genuine storybook appearance, so it is no surprise that one fairy-tale film after another is filmed here. The vision of Prince Rohan made Sychrov a genuine French flower on Czech soil, primarily thanks to its collection of 250 portraits of family members, members of related families and French kings. It is the largest collection of French portrait art outside of France. You can also admire the Chateau’s wonderful carving decorations, masterpieces of Czech artists and craftsmen. Tours of the interior will show you the lavishly furnished Royal Suite (King Charles X of France, King William I of Prussia and Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria spent nights here), private princely chambers and state rooms. The golden treasury houses an exhibition of sculptures and jewels made from precious metals and stones, while the exhibition Technopolis, located in the Chateau stables, is dedicated to 19th and 20th-century inventions. An extensive English landscape garden is one of the country’s richest and most beautiful botanical collections. Sychrov is a children’s paradise – in the garden, they can see free-flying birds of prey, go on a hunt for the Bear Clan’s treasure, or take a tour of the castle guided by a princess. There are also thrilling Fire and Hunting Festivals, traditional Scottish Highland Games with bagpipe competitions, or idyllic Easter and Christmas Markets.

www.visitliberec.eu www.zamek-sychrov.cz Liberec region: www.liberecky-kraj.cz/en/ Ještěd: www.visitliberec.eu/en/vse-o-liberci/horsky-hotel-jested-stavbastoleti/ Liebieg's small town: www.visitliberec.eu/liebiegove IQ Landia: www.iqlandia.cz ZOO Liberec: www.zooliberec.cz Centrum Babylon: www.centrumbabylon.cz Ferdinand Porsche Birth House: museum.skoda-auto.cz/porsche-house/ porsche-house The Botanical Garden in Liberec: www.botaniliberec.cz Regional Art Gallery Liberec: www.ogl.cz