Varnsdorf lies at the foot of the Lusatian Mountains in the picturesque Mandava Valley and is bordered by Germany on three sides. Churches and historic buildings, a viewpoint and seasonal leisure activities give the town a range of different aspects. When planning, it is worth considering not only the places themselves but also access, dates and the conditions of each season.
Churches and Architectural History
The Church of St. Peter and Paul is Varnsdorf’s oldest church. It was completed between 1774 and 1776, with its late Baroque interior finished in 1777. In 1830, Beethoven’s Missa solemnis was performed here in its entirety for the first time as a liturgical work. Architectural and musical history therefore come together in one place.
St. Charles Borromeo is known as the “church without a tower” because of the distinctive design of its tower’s top. Visits to the interior can be arranged through the Dean’s Office at Náměstí E. Beneše 471; please arrange your visit in advance. The Red Church is a protected cultural monument and one of the few surviving North Bohemian churches built of glazed bricks. Its foundation stone was laid in 1904, and it was consecrated the following year. Access may vary, so it is advisable to check before visiting.
The architectural heritage extends beyond the churches: Varnsdorf has Art Nouveau, Neo-Renaissance, Classical Empire-style and historicist buildings. Examples include the buildings along Legií Street, the former bank on T. G. Masaryk Street, the school on Střelecká Street, the post office building, House No. 512 on Národní Street, and villas on Seifertova and Tyršova streets. Half-timbered houses with distinctive stone portals have also been preserved. The Varnsdorf area also includes Studánka, with its Pseudo-Romanesque Church of St. Francis of Assisi, built in 1872.
Viewpoint and Hiking Destination
Hrádek was built in 1904 as a lookout restaurant. The observation tower offers panoramic views of Varnsdorf and the surrounding area, including the Lusatian Mountains and the Zittau Mountains; on a clear day, the view also extends to the Jizera Mountains and the Giant Mountains. A permanent exhibition fills the entire interior of the Hrádek tower. It includes maps, photographs and other exhibits about Hrádek and its wider surroundings. Check access to the observation tower and the exhibition’s current presentation before visiting.
Špičák is a destination for hikers. An easy forest path leads to a newly built wooden rest pavilion. As the path and pavilion may be affected by maintenance work, it is worth checking their current condition before setting out.
Relaxation at Mašíňák
The Mašíňák recreational area is used for individual recreation and swimming; during the season, it is mainly used by anglers as a sport fishing lake. When winter conditions are suitable, it is used as a natural ice rink. Sports and cultural events are also traditionally held there, with dates that vary. Use therefore depends in part on the season and conditions: check the current water and swimming conditions before visiting, and confirm specific dates if you are interested in an event.
Cultural Events and a Brewery Visit
Městské divadlo Varnsdorf and the adjoining Galerie D host numerous exhibitions, concerts and other events each month. The theater also hosts plays and music concerts. Mandava Jazz is an annual event held in Varnsdorf in the autumn; its program and dates vary. If a particular performance, exhibition or the jazz festival is important to your stay, check the current events calendar.
Pivovar Kocour offers brewery tours, where visitors can learn about beer production and sample some beers. Ask in advance about dates and availability. The brewery also has its own railway stop; check the timetable for your specific journey. The brewery zoo is home to numerous animal species that visitors can see; the animals available may change.
Muzeum Varnsdorf offers educational materials in a playful format about notable and interesting people from Varnsdorf, as well as the town’s history. Its current location is temporarily in the former children’s and music departments of the Varnsdorf City Library. Check the location before visiting.
Decide what you would most like to focus on, and check the relevant dates and access conditions before planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Dolní Habartice, Jiřetín Pod Jedlovou, Labská Stráň, Malá Veleň, Krásná Lípa, Janská, Františkov Nad Ploučnicí, Kytlice
For the broader travel overview: Okres Děčín.
