Raspenava

Sister cities

• Bischofswerda

History

The first written mention of Raspenava is from 1343. The village was located on the left bank of the Smědá River, and there were several small hamlets on the right bank. Raspenava was originally an agricultural village, but its character began to change in the 16th century. In 1512, a hammer mill was built here, and later an ironworks and a lime factory were established. In 1962, the settlements were merged into the town of Raspenava.

Geography

Raspenava is located about north of Liberec, in the salient region of Frýdlant Hook. It lies mostly in the Jizera Foothills. The southern part of the municipal territory extends into the Jizera Mountains and includes the highest point of Raspenava, located below the top of the mountain Poledník at above sea level. The Smědá River flows through the town. Two thirds of the territory are situated in the Jizerské hory Protected Landscape Area. Half of the Czech part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site named Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe is situated in the southernmost part of the territory of Raspenava.