Arnultovice: Glassmaking History and Borská skalka

Arnultovice can be explored through two themes: the development of the village in connection with glassmaking, and the history of glass finishing. There is also the Church of the Holy Spirit and Borská skalka, a basalt crag with climbing routes. If you are looking for a hotel in Arnultovice, these different highlights can help shape your choice of destination: you can focus on cultural history, a public church program, or climbing.

Glassmaking History: From an Early Settlement to Glass Finishing

Arnultovice was founded by hunters and charcoal burners in the 14th century. In the 18th century, as glassmaking flourished, the village began to grow together with Nový Bor. The chronology thus traces a path from a medieval founding to later development linked to glassmaking.

Glass finishing also shaped the history of the cadastral area: in the last third of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, there were at least around eighty glass-finishing businesses and small glassware merchants there. This approximate figure includes both finishing and trade, adding other historically established activities to the picture of glassmaking in the area.

Glass as a Material for Design

The work of the acclaimed Czech glass artist and designer Jitka Kamencová Skuhravá offers another perspective on the material’s design possibilities. She specializes in original studio glass pieces and monumental light sculptures for modern architecture. These two areas of work differ in scale: alongside original studio glass pieces are large-scale light sculptures created for modern architecture.

The Church of the Holy Spirit in the Cemetery Grounds

The Church of the Holy Spirit is located in the cemetery grounds of Nový Bor–Arnultovice. Its interior reflects the art of local glassmakers, so the connection to glassmaking history is also evident in the design of the church interior. A memorial to those who fell in the First World War stands in front of the church. Visitors interested in cultural history will find several different points of interest here.

The church hosts concerts, exhibitions, and church services that are open to the public. The program may change. If you would like to attend a specific event, check the latest schedule before your visit.

Borská skalka and Climbing Routes

Borská skalka is a basalt crag on a hill above the E442 road. The crag has five climbing routes and one variation; all are equipped with bolts or pitons for sport climbing. These details—the number of routes and their protection—provide specific information for planning a climb. Since the route inventory may change, it is worth checking the latest information before making specific climbing plans.

Skalka offers a different focus from the church: here, the basalt crag and climbing take center stage, while the church offers interior art, a memorial site, and public events. This contrast can help you choose the focus of your trip without reducing both places to the same experience.

Highlights for Your Trip

For a stay focused on cultural history, explore the area’s various connections to glass: from historic glass finishing and trade to the art of local glassmakers in the church interior and the areas of work described by glass artist Jitka Kamencová Skuhravá. The Church of the Holy Spirit adds its event program and the memorial in front of the building to this range of themes.

If you would rather include climbing, Borská skalka is the obvious destination: a basalt crag with five routes and one variation. This lets you choose a hotel in Arnultovice based on the interest that matters most to you—glassmaking history and culture, or a climbing destination.

Discover more destinations: Stružnice, Novy Bor, Mimoň, Kunratice U Cvikova, Zahrádky, Hamr Na Jezeře, Chlum U Dubé, Stvolínky.

For the broader travel overview: Česká Lípa District.