A Late Gothic Madonna on the main altar, a historic church complex and a cycling route that reaches Dubnice: the town offers several specific points of interest for a stay. The pilgrimage Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is at the heart of its religious buildings. There are also smaller chapels, monuments and the Stříbrník natural monument east of the town.

Pilgrimage Church and Historic Complex

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was built between 1699 and 1702 and has been protected as a cultural monument since 1965. It is also a Marian pilgrimage site. A Late Gothic wooden sculpture of the Madonna from the 15th century stands on the main altar. Different periods therefore come together in one building: the church was built at the turn of the 18th century, while the much older work of art shapes the town’s connection to the Virgin Mary.

The church complex includes the cemetery, a perimeter wall with gates, a mortuary, a former fire station and a stone cross. The churchyard also has several distinct features: a chapel and 13 Stations of the Cross. Those interested in religious art and the history of sacred sites will find not just a single building here, but an ensemble of different elements.

The sculptural group of Saint John of Nepomuk also stands at the cemetery entrance. It is a separately protected monument. To understand the townscape, it helps to distinguish it from the church complex as a whole: the sculptural group has its own protected status, while the church and its associated features form a separate historic ensemble.

Chapels and Stone Monuments

The stone Niesig Chapel stands in the lower part of Dubnice. A parish inventory from 1895 describes it as the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows and gives 1738 as the year it was built. A second stone chapel, Panny Marie Sněžné, is also mentioned in a parish inventory from 1895. It was somewhat damaged and was renovated in 1792. The two chapels offer different historical points of reference and complement a visit to the large church complex with other religious buildings in the town.

Another stone cross stands by the church. It dates from 1795, was restored and was re-erected in 2002 below the church, next to the war memorial. Along with the chapels and the sculptural group, it shows that Dubnice’s religious and commemorative monuments are not limited to the church building.

Cycling Route and Landscape

The official CV12 Hamr na Jezeře – Northern Circuit cycling route runs from Žibřidice to Dubnice. From here, the return ride to Hamr na Jezeře can be shortened. If you want to use the route in your own plans, check its current status in advance, as conditions can change. The town’s history also offers a historical connection to the nearby resort: after the First World War, Dubnice developed a tourism focus in connection with Hamr na Jezeře. At the time, summer visitors made use of the milk cures and services offered by the resort.

As a contrast to the buildings, the Stříbrník natural monument lies east of Dubnice. It is a basalt hill with columnar jointing, about 2.5 kilometres from the town. This geological feature offers a different focus from the churches and chapels: here the interest lies in the form of the basalt, while there it is in sacred architecture, art and monuments.

Tailor Your Stay to Your Interests

When looking for a holiday apartment in Dubnice Pod Ralskem, you can first consider what you want to focus on during your trip. For cultural history, you might explore the pilgrimage church, its complex and the other religious monuments. If you would like to include a cycling route, you can consider the CV12 as an option; Stříbrník adds a geological theme to a visit to the town. This lets you weigh up different interests for your stay without having to follow a fixed itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Nový Oldřichov, Chlum U Dubé, Doksy, Luka, Cvikov, Kozly U České Lípy, Bohatice U Zákup, Sloup V Čechách.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Česká Lípa.