Jested (Ještěd in czech language), one of the most famous peaks in Czech Republic, provides great panoramic view to the whole region. It's located very near to Liberec and its favorite tourist spot for weekends and holidays. There are number of tourist trails, biking roads and during winter it's great for x-country skiing and ski and snowboards.
The tower on the top of the hill is unique from architecture perspective. It was built in 1963-1966 and its architect Karel Hubacek received Perret's Prize of the International Union of Architects for it. The building combines the radio-communication tower together with hotel and restaurant. The interior of the hotel was renovated recently, but it remained in the original design. The building was designed to extend the shape of the hill in an aerodynamic arrow which makes the hill easily recognizable from the whole region.
According to records, in 1737 a stone made cross was build up on the top of the rocks of Jested. From that time several new wooden crosses were build there. Another historical artifact you can find on the top of the hill is Rohan's memorial oblique which was rise in honor of visit of the prince of Rohan in 1828.
Another attraction is a cable car which is technically interesting as well as being an attractive vehicle enabling tourists a quick and comfortable journey to the top of the mountain. After the First World War, the Mountain Club design the plans for cable car to Jested, however the construction was not realized due to land reform and the high expense. At the beginning of the 1930s, the plan was taken over by the Czechoslovakian Railway Company. The construction was started in 1932 and in June 1933 the cable car was opened to the public. The whole project was a matter of prestige for the company. The original technical solution meant basically that two stations would be built, between which two cars would move suspended on cables. The cables were supported in two places by riveted posts. Its total length was 1,183m and it surpassed 400m in height. This cable car worked by the pendulum system and it was able to transport 330 people an hour. In 1970s it was renovated, the line was lengthened to 1,188m and height 402m. The original two posts were replaced by one supporting post 30m high. The new cable car is able to transport up to 525 people per hour.
View excellent panoramic photos from Jested. View gallery >
