Tanvald

Tanvald
Town
Town hall
Town hall
Flag of Tanvald
Flag
Coat of arms of Tanvald
Coat of arms
Tanvald is located in Czech Republic
Tanvald
Tanvald
Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°44′15″N 15°18′21″E / 50.73750°N 15.30583°E / 50.73750; 15.30583
Country Czech Republic
RegionLiberec
DistrictJablonec nad Nisou
First mentioned1586
Government
 • MayorJan Prašivka
Area
 • Total
12.45 km2 (4.81 sq mi)
Elevation
455 m (1,493 ft)
Population
 (2026-01-01)
 • Total
5,941
 • Density477.2/km2 (1,236/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
468 41
Websitewww.tanvald.cz

Tanvald (Czech pronunciation: [ˈtanvalt]; German: Tannwald) is a town in Jablonec nad Nisou District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 5,900 inhabitants. The town is located in the Jizera Mountains, at the confluence of the rivers Kamenice and Desná.

Tanvald was founded as a lumberjack settlement in the 16th century and became a town in 1925.

Administrative division

Tanvald consists of three municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):

Etymology

The original German name Tannwald literally means 'fir forest'. The Czech name was created by transcription of the German name.

Geography

Tanvald is located about 9 km (6 mi) east of Jablonec nad Nisou. It lies in the Jizera Mountains. The highest point is the mountain Špičák at 810 m (2,660 ft) above sea level. The town is situated at the confluence of the rivers Kamenice, which flows along the southern municipal border, and Desná, which flows across the eastern part of the municipal territory.

History

The first written mention of Tanvald is from 1586, when it was described as a lumberjack settlement. In 1895, the village was promoted to a market town and in 1905 to a town. In 1848, Žďár was joined to Tanvald.

The first written mention of Šumburk nad Desnou is from the 17th century, it was probably founded between 1565 and 1581. In 1906, it was promoted to a market town and in 1925 to a town. In 1942, Tanvald and Šumburk nad Desnou were merged into one municipality.

From 1938 to 1945, Tanvald was annexed by Nazi Germany and administered as part of the Reichsgau Sudetenland. The majority German population was expelled in 1945. The town was then resettled with Czechs.

Demographics

Transport

Tanvald is located on the railway lines Prague–Tanvald and Liberec–Szklarska Poręba. Historic trains also run on the Tanvald–Harrachov cog railway.

Sport

On the mountain Špičák is a ski resort.

Sights

Church of Saint Francis of Assisi

The main landmark of the town is the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi. It was built in the neo-Gothic style in 1899–1901.

The mountain Špičák is known for the Tanvaldský Špičák observation tower. This stone tower was built in 1909 and is 18 m (59 ft) high.

Notable people

Twin towns – sister cities

Tanvald is twinned with:

References

  1. ↑ "Population in municipalities as at 1. 1". DataStat. Czech Statistical Office. 2026-05-18.
  2. ↑ "Public Census 2021 – basic data". Public Database (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2022.
  3. ↑ "Tip na výlet: Tanvald a okolí" (in Czech). Czech Radio. 2014-05-06. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  4. 1 2 3 "Historie města v datech" (in Czech). Město Tanvald. Retrieved 2026-06-16.
  5. 1 2 "Historie města a okolí" (in Czech). Město Tanvald. Retrieved 2026-06-16.
  6. ↑ "Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 2015-12-21.
  7. ↑ "Population Census 2021: Population by sex". Public Database. Czech Statistical Office. 2021-03-27.
  8. ↑ "Station details Tanvald". České dráhy. Retrieved 2026-06-16.
  9. ↑ "Skiarea Tanvaldský Špičák". SkiAréna Jizerky. Retrieved 2022-11-06.
  10. ↑ "Kostel sv. Františka z Assisi" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2022-11-06.
  11. ↑ "Rozhledna Tanvaldský Špičák" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2022-11-06.
  12. ↑ "Partnerská města" (in Czech). Město Tanvald. Retrieved 2026-06-16.