VrchlabiVrchlabi

Vrchlabi

Vrchlabi occupies an area of 28 sq km at an elevation of 477 m above sea level. It has 14000 inhabitants. Thanks to its position in the middle of the mountain range Krkonose (Giant Mountains), Czech Republic, it is called the "entrance gateway".

History of Vrchlabi

First references about the settlement called Vrchlabi can be found in old records from the 14th century. The Krkonoše and adjacent areas have always been rich in gems and ores. Therefore, the majority of its inhabitants were miners and founders working on the ore mining and processing.

The Emperor Ferdinand I. granted Vrchlabi the mining right at the beginning of the 16th century when the estates belonged to Krystof Gendorf. In 1533 the settlement was promoted to a mining town with its own emblem and rights (the original promotion letter-patent is placed in the district archives in Trutnov; a copy in Vrchlabi town council). The town thrived thanks to mining. Krystof Gendorf had a new stone church and vicarage built. He organised Protestant church, set up a school and a poorhouse. Moreover, he summoned German speaking miners and mining experts to the town and between 1546 - 1548 he promoted the construction of a renaissance castle.

The castle in Vrchlabi

Albrech from Valdstejn bought the castle with the estates in 1624. During the short period of his administration Vrchlabi experienced unprecedented bloom. After his death his property was confiscated. In 1635 the Emperor Ferdinand II. gave it to Imperial Earl Rudolf Morzin in recognition of his war services in the war against the Turks and Swedes. In 1882 the whole estates devolved upon the Czemin - Morzins.

Sightseeings in Vrchlabi

The most significant places of interest are the renaissance castle and the St. Augustin's monastery with church. Vrchlabi's dominant is the town hall. Another interesting sights are St. Vavrinec's (St. Lawrence) decanal church, Marian plague column, St. Ann's group of sculptures from the 17th century, folk architecture represented by the 17th century three houses in the square of Peace, the bridge over the river Elbe and many others. The Krkonose museum's collections, archives and a library are also worth visiting.

Theater of the mountain nature Stone and Life in Vrchlabi

Duration of the tour:

  • basic programme 100 min., short programme 60 min., short children´s minitour approx. 30 min
  • There are Czech, German, English, Dutch and Polish versions of the programme available.
  • A wide-areal projection about the Krkonose countryside in all the languages versions is a part of the guided tour. The projection takes 15 minutes.
  • The Museum can be visited only in guided tours (from 10 to 25 people).
  • There is an interval of 20 minutes between the groups.
  • It is advisable to book group tours in advance.

Open:

  • Tuesday - Sunday
  • Winter season (April - October) 8.00 a.m. - 17.15 p.m.
  • Summer season (Mai - September) 8.00 a.m. - 17.30 p.m.
  • Last group at 16.00 p.m..

Price:

  • basic programme - adult 60,- CZK, child 30,- CZK
  • short programme - adult 50,- CZK, child 25,- CZK
Vrchlabi