Discover Jilemnice: City History, Culture and Routes

Get to know Jilemnice through its city history, the Krkonoše Museum and routes through the town and surrounding area. When planning your trip, consider whether you’d like to focus mainly on architecture and exhibitions or include one of the routes described here. If you’re looking for a hotel in Jilemnice, this focus provides a practical guide to choosing your destinations.

Square, Church and Castle

Masaryk Square retains its medieval layout and has been the heart of the town for centuries. The fountain in the square is also one of its landmarks and a valuable technical monument. Here, the historic town layout and a unique technical monument stand side by side.

The Baroque Church of St. Lawrence was built between 1729 and 1736. Its interior furnishings have retained their consistent Baroque style to this day. Zvědavá ulička offers a different historical perspective: it is a unique example of old suburban architecture and was built largely after the town fire of 1788.

Jilemnice Castle was built in the second half of the 16th century on the site of an older Wallenstein fortress. Its Renaissance core has survived to this day. The castle thus combines its origins with a Renaissance architectural core; since 1953, the listed building has housed exhibitions of the Krkonoše Museum.

History at the Krkonoše Museum

The museum presents the history of the western Krkonoše Mountains from the great colonisation of the 13th century through to the 20th century. In this context, it highlights Jilemnice as a natural centre of trade and crafts. The “White Track” exhibition focuses on a narrower period, showing the development of skiing in the Czech lands up to 1938.

Another exhibit brings the Christmas story to life: Jáchym Metelka’s nativity scene dates from 1883 to 1913. Its original mechanism sets 142 figures in motion through 350 different movements and adds sound effects to the scene. Among the museum’s themes, the regional history spans the 13th to the 20th century, while “White Track” traces the development of skiing up to 1938. The nativity scene, in turn, is a specific example of a mechanically animated exhibit.

Educational Trail and Cycling Loop

The “Jilemnice známá neznámá” educational trail is 7.5 kilometres long and runs through Jilemnice and the surrounding area. One of its destinations is the Chapel of St. Isidore. Masaryk Square is considered the trail’s starting point. The route therefore connects the square in the town centre with a destination beyond the town’s architectural sights.

The marked “Jilemnickem křížem krážem” cycling loop offers a different route. It is 24 kilometres long, passes through Kozinec, Mříčná, Martinice, Horní Branná and Hrabačov, and returns to the centre of Jilemnice. The two routes can be distinguished by distance and activity: the 7.5-kilometre educational trail runs through the town and surrounding area, while the 24-kilometre loop is designed for cycling.

Cross-Country Skiing and the Castle Park

The Hraběnka area has cross-country ski trails with a total length of almost 20 kilometres, as well as the “Buď fit” recreational cross-country route. Winter use depends on snow conditions and trail grooming. If you’re planning to go cross-country skiing, check these conditions before your visit.

The castle park offers another facet of the town. It covers about four hectares and contains numerous valuable trees and shrubs. Together with the historic buildings, museum themes and routes of varying lengths, it gives you several concrete starting points for deciding what to focus on during your stay in Jilemnice.

Discover more destinations: Mirova Pod Kozakovem, Klokočí U Turnova, Hruba Skala, Bělá U Staré Paky, Pelešany, Bystrá Nad Jizerou, Syřenov, Jesenný.

Go to the broader travel overview: Okres Semily.