Železná Ruda

Železná Ruda (, german: Markt Eisenstein) is a town in Klatovy District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,600 inhabitants. It is located in the Bohemian Forest, close to the border with Bavaria and the German town Bayerisch Eisenstein. It is one of the important sports and tourism centres of the Bohemian Forest.

Administrative parts

Villages of Alžbětín, Debrník, Hojsova Stráž, Pancíř and Špičák are administrative parts of Železná Ruda.

Etymology

The town's name literally means "iron ore". It refers to rich deposits of iron ore that were found and mined here. The German name of the town comes from the Middle Ages, when it was a market town.

Geography

Železná Ruda lies in a wild mountainous terrain. The town is surrounded with thick coniferous woods. The highest peak in the municipal territory is Jezerní hora with an elevation of . Černé jezero , the largest natural lake in the country and Čertovo jezero, the third largest lake, are located in the area of Železný Brod.

Climate

The climate is cool and wet humid continental hemiboreal (Dfb) with moderately cold, long winters and cool summers. Average July temperature is and average January temperature is . Yearly average is and there is some 967 mm of precipitation.

History

Železná Ruda was founded at the beginning of the 16th century as a mining town. After around 150 years, the iron ore stocks were extracted and iron production ended. Because quartz and limestone deposits were also located here, the town's industry reoriented to the glass industry. The first factory was built in 1624. The Alžbětín Glassworks was later one of the largest glassworks in Bohemian Forest. In the second half of the 19th century it was known mainly for plate glass.

Between 1847 and 1877, the railroad was built.

Its German population was expelled after 1945.

Economy

The local economy is very dependent on tourism because Železná Ruda is one of the most popular skiing centres of Šumava, as well as a starting point for many hiking trips on both sides of the border. The town has also gained a reputation as a hotspot for prostitution shortly after the Velvet Revolution.

Transport

The town is located on a train line leading from Plzeň and Klatovy to the border station at Železná Ruda-Alžbětín/Bayerisch Eisenstein. This station building is divided by the national border between the Czech Republic and Germany.

Sights

There are many nature sights, such as lakes Černé jezero and Čertovo jezero, and the Špičák mountain with above sea level. A railway tunnel goes under Špičák. The tunnel is long and it was the longest railway tunnel in the Czech Republic until 2007.

The most valuable historical monument is the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help of the Star. It was built in the Baroque style in 1729–1732. Its peculiarity is the floor plan of the six-pointed star and two cupolas with a star. Other historical sights include the Chapel of Saints Anthony of Padua and Barbara, and the Stations of the Cross.

The local museum and information centre are located in a house from 1877, which was the home to a well-known family of glassmakers in the past. There is an exhibition of traditional glass, documents and photographs concerning history available all year round.

Twin towns – sister cities

Železná Ruda is twinned with:
* Aldeno, Italy
* Bayerisch Eisenstein, Germany
* Zernez, Switzerland

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zelezna Ruda
Cities and towns in the Czech Republic
Ski areas and resorts in the Czech Republic
Populated places in Klatovy District
Czech Republic–Germany border crossings
Bohemian Forest