16 models

Jablonec nad Nisou
by Tomáš Ovečka

Jablonec nad Nisou with its population of nearly 50,000 is an administrative, entertainment, sport and recreation centre of the Jizera Mountains. The first mention of Jablonec dates back to 1356, but permanent settlement only took place in the 16th century when the first glassworks was set up in Mšeno and the first small church was built. A radical change in the town's development came in the 2nd half of the 17th century. Glass making industry was taking a fast hold, yet at the same time it showed that Jablonec had a good position for trading too. When, in the 1st half of the 18th century, the first costume jewellery products appeared and they became a success on the market right away, nothing stood in the way to the settlement's further rapid rise. Jablonec was promoted to township in 1808 and to town by decree of Emperor Francis Joseph I in 1866. It had already traded with all the world then. A whole array of important buildings are evidence of the wealth that was pouring into Jablonec just in those years until the First World War. Among the most interesting ones there are art nouveau houses and villas in today's Podhorská Street and 28. Října Street. Later Jablonec's two dominant features were erected, the Lord's Most Sacred Heart Church on Horní (Upper) Square and the town hall on present Mírové (Peace) Square.

Updated Dec 27, 2012