How about hiking or biking? On Mount Jehsted, which rises 1012 meters above sea level, towers a structure about 100 meters high, also known as Jehsted. Designed by architect Karel Hvacek, this imposing structure was declared a national cultural monument in 2006 and was selected by the people of the Czech Republic as the “Building of the Century. This July, the hotel and transmitter celebrated its 50th anniversary since its opening. Construction began in July 1966. As Wikipedia notes, there was originally a wooden shed built in 1906, which burned down on January 31, 1963 during the thawing of a water main.
The beautiful, mostly spruce forests here seem endless. Together with the Jizera Mountains, they surround the picturesque town of Liberec, and until October 15, the Museum of North Bohemia in Liberec is hosting an exhibition entitled “Ještěd 50.” Many other interesting facts about the history of Ještěd are presented. For example, there is the Architect A. Perret Prize, which was awarded by architect Karel Hvacek in 1969 for Ještěd\’s architectural design; in 1963, his design won an architectural competition held among the people, and in 1969, he was awarded a prize for the best design of a building in the city. Ještěd is as important to Liberec and North Bohemia as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. It can be climbed by cable car and celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.
From the moment you get on the cable car, you feel as if you are climbing up a forest and rocky hill toward heaven. This feeling is reinforced by the beautiful views in all directions at the finish line in Gested. The entire city of Liberec is in the palm of your hand, as well as the Jeshtied Kozak ridge, the forested Jizera Mountains, the Krkonoshe Mountains, Bezdeche, Troski, and views of Poland and Germany. From the windows of Jeshtiedo, you feel as if you are on an airplane. The sky, the clouds, the sun, and at night, the stars and the moon are really close. It is an unforgettably beautiful experience.
[35
