Josefův Důl: Textile History, Architecture and the Jizera

Josefův Důl is shaped by the history of its textile industry, the buildings of the Leitenberger family and its location in a bend of the Jizera. Green spaces and small patches of woodland lie on the surrounding slopes. A hiking trail, two route options and a sports facility with several activities may also be relevant when planning your trip. This gives you a way to understand the town in terms of its historical development and the activities you have in mind before looking for a hotel for your stay.

Textile History and Technology

Industrial development began in 1763, when a manufactory was relocated from Kosmonosy, giving rise to the local textile industry. It reached its peak under the leadership of the Leitenberger family. In 1868, textile production in Kosmonosy came to an end; all the businesses were moved to Josefův Důl. The settlement of Josefův Důl developed as a workers’ settlement for the former textile factory, which is now closed.

Another part of the industrial history is the small hydroelectric power station. It was commissioned in the first half of the 1940s and later served the TIBA textile company. To this day, the power station is equipped with its two original vertical Kaplan turbines dating from 1942. The town’s technological history thus adds a chapter of its own to the development of its textile industry.

Chateau, Villa and Leitenberger Family Crypt

The chateau is an imposing Neo-Renaissance building with a Baroque core, probably built after 1860 to a design by Ludwig Zettl. The chateau and its park served as the Leitenberger family’s preferred summer residence. The park featured allegorical sculptures of the four seasons, created by the Prague sculptor Tomáš Seidan. Three of the sculptures are now kept at Loreta in Kosmonosy.

At the Leitenberger Villa, the focus is on the relationship between the building and its landscaped grounds: its main façade opens onto a park that separates the villa from the factory grounds and workers’ settlement. Eduard Petzold designed the park. The Chapel of the Holy Cross, with the Leitenberger family crypt, was built in 1880 to a design by Ludwig Zettl. The crypt is empty because the family’s remains were transferred to Austria in the 1980s. It is set in greenery above Josefův Důl, beside a hiking trail.

Trails, Landscape and Sport

You can compare two different route options when planning your walks. The “Údolím řeky Jizery k romantické zřícenině” route runs from Mladá Boleslav via Debř and Josefův Důl to Láskov, then returns to Mladá Boleslav via Debř. The 25 km Zlatá stezka Českého ráje runs from Mladá Boleslav via Michalovice, Josefův Důl, Bakov nad Jizerou, Klokočka and Klášter Hradiště nad Jizerou to Mnichovo Hradiště. The first route describes a return to its starting point; the second specifies a distance of 25 km and Mnichovo Hradiště as its destination.

If you are planning to cross at the small hydroelectric power station, bear in mind the history of the bridge: the reinforced-concrete bridge over the weir to the machine halls was closed to the public for safety reasons around 2006. If you plan to cross there, check access on site.

The SK Josefův Důl sports facility offers football, tennis, foot tennis, volleyball, basketball and a children’s playground. This means you can take a specific range of sports facilities into account when choosing a destination, alongside historic buildings and trails.

Discover more destinations: Bradlec, Střehom, Přepeře, Strenice, Tuřice, Jizerní Vtelno, Kolomuty, Kobylnice.

For the overview of the wider area: Okres Mladá Boleslav.