Novy Bor combines a local history closely linked with glass since the end of the 17th century with striking buildings and a starting point for the hike to Klíč. The town lies in the foothills of the Lusatian Mountains (Lužické hory); its location offers opportunities for summer and winter tourism. This gives you different priorities to consider when planning your trip: glass and architecture in town, and an excursion along a marked hiking trail. You can decide which to focus on based on the experiences you have planned.
Glass History Between Collections and Craftsmanship
The long-standing connection with glass gives Novy Bor a distinct cultural and historical focus. At the Novotný Glass Museum, visitors can watch master glassmakers at work. The collection includes more than 300 works of art, including the largest collection of glass by Bořek Šípek. This brings together two ways of engaging with the subject: viewing works of art and observing glassmaking as a craft. If you are interested in craftsmanship, the museum combines both in a single visit, with the town’s history providing a shared context.
The LASVIT – Skleněný Dům complex offers another perspective. It includes two historic wooden houses that were already used by glassmakers at the end of the 18th century. Here, the history of buildings associated with glassmakers’ work adds to the collection and craftsmanship. This perspective differs from the art collection at the museum and makes the history of glass tangible in the context of historic buildings, too.
Guided tours of LASVIT – Skleněný Dům are offered on Fridays at 9, 10, 13, and 14 o’clock; online reservations are available. If you want to include a tour as a fixed part of your day’s plans, check online in advance to see whether your chosen time is available.
Buildings on náměstí Míru
Two distinct aspects of the local architectural heritage come together on náměstí Míru. The square is home to the late Baroque Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, with its rare Rococo organs. The town hall is the square’s main landmark and is listed as a cultural monument in the Central Register of Immovable Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic. At the church, late Baroque architecture and distinctive organs come together; the town hall’s role on the square and its monument status shape how the building is seen. Together, these two landmarks give the town center its own cultural and historical perspective.
Hiking, the Seasons, and Getting Here
For an outdoor excursion, consider hiking to Klíč. The route starts in Novy Bor and follows the red-marked trail. The starting point and trail markings give the hike a clear connection to the town. This provides a specific hiking option alongside the cultural attractions, which you can take into account when planning your stay. The foothills of the Lusatian Mountains offer opportunities for summer as well as winter tourism, so the season can be another factor in planning your trip.
For travel planning, the Novy Bor Tourist Information Center provides information about bus and train connections. Check the services for your travel date if you are planning your arrival or onward journey around them. This way, you can tailor your search to the experiences that matter to you on your trip.
Discover more destinations: Doksy, Žandov, Prysk, Arnultovice, Česká Lípa, Nový Oldřichov, Polevsko, Bezděz.
See the regional travel overview: Česká Lípa District.
