Luzicke Mountains

The varied folk architecture is typical for Lužické hory. Accommodation in region of Lužické hory is offered in several family hotels and apartments. The curb houses with retaining walls and small divided windows, saddle roof have the timber framework only in the first floor. Houses ´gables are often garnished with multicoloured slate. Ruins of several castles have been preserved here, the most famous of which is castle of Tolštejn. Lužické hory contain a lot of remarkable rock formations (Bílé kameny, Pustý zámek, Zlatý vrch, Dutý kámen and Panská skála, well known as „Varhany") or Ledová jeskyně by Naděje. In the ruin of Kamenický castle there is an observation tower built in. Castles of Milštejn, Fredevald and Starý Falkenburk left only poor remains of walling masonry. Various peaks offer the wonderful long views, particularly from Klíč, Luže, Hvozd and Jedlová. We can also find the interesting sights in the submontane towns, especially in Jablonné in Podještědí (baroque temple of Saint. Lawrence, made by J. L. Hildebrandt and close chateau of Lemberk) and in Česká Kamenice. Also a mining town Jiřetín under Jedlová and Křížová Mountain is interesting or Chřibská with the oldest glass works in Europe which is still working.

From the geological point of view, Lužické Mountains are created mainly by sandstones, through which in period of Tertiary the burning magma penetrated to the surface in many places. The magma became stiff in forms of clinkstones and basalt ingenuous rocks. These volcanic formations are more resistant that the surrounding sandstones, so they have been preserved by the subsequent erosive activity. They formed the characteristic relief of Lužické Mountains, created by the elongated ridges and distinct cone-shaped and cumulous peaks. At the northern edge of Lužické Mountains there are cretaceous sandstones tectonically bounded against granitoids of Lužice massif by so called Lužice dislocation, after which the older granite was shifted above the younger sandstones. In the vicinity of Doubice also small overriding blocks of Jurassic limestones were pulled out to the surface. In Quaternary period the erosive activity predominated, during which the extensive debris fields were created at the slopes of volcanic hills. At the eastern edge of the mountains, close to Jítrava, there are preserved the gravels, placed by continental glacier, which penetrated from the North. In past a small quantity of ironstone of not a very good quality was mined in many places of the Mountains and in the vicinity of Jiřetín under Jedlová, the small veins of the sulphides of copper, lead and zinc with silver impurities were mined.

The area of Lusatian mountains connected to Czech Switzerland and ending near Liberec at the east. In south side it verged to the hills of Bohemian Highlands. Geologically they are orriginated by basalt and phonolite eruptive rocks, which are more hard than neighbouring sandstone. This sandstone come down by erosion and creates the characteristic relief with elongated ridges and expressive conical or cumulous hills.

The predominant minerals of this protected area are upper Cretaceous quadratic sandstone, in many places penetrated and covered by Turonian volcanic rock, particularly basalt, phonolite and nephiline. Forests cover more than half of the area of the district. It is a mix of secondary fir and pine monoculture. At the highest points or in deep gorges, several alpine species also occur such as alpine milkwort, double-blossom violet, spikemoss etc. Worth mention is the rich locality of Heuffel´s crocus at the village of Kytlice. In addition to common game animals, forest and meadow fauna, a herd of chamois live in the Luzicke mountains.

Ceska Kamenice

The late gothic town on the river Kamenice, where the Lusatian mountains, Czech Switzerland and Bohemian Central Highlands meet. It was originated in 13rd century by German colonists. First mentioned in the year 1352 as the storn-hold village. The square is adorned with the remainders of two gabled gothic houses, a renaissance fountain and the Town hall. Interesting is also the church of St. James with the basement of 14th century, later rebuilt in gothic style. On the corner of church there was in the year 1555 built the four-square tower by the architect Seiffert.

Chribska

Town that grew out of a Slavic settlement along the trade route to Lusatia. The oldest glass-house in the country has been continuous operation here since 1427. In the 19th century a spa, called Maly Semerink. The most important buildings are gothic church of St. George, baroque vicarage of 18th century and classicist houses from the early 19th century.

Cvikov

Town established in the 14th century on the crossroad of trade roads. Later this place settled the craftsmen. Interesting is the former gothic church of St. Elizabeth of 14th century, later gothic-renaissance rebuilt. On the town square you can see the baroque sculptural group of 1697 and several examples of empire tonsfolk houses. On the top of hill Kalvarie there are the rests of the stations of the Cross from 19th century.

Photographs Luzicke Mountains