Josefův Důl (Jablonec nad Nisou District)

Villages of Antonínov, Dolní Maxov and Karlov are administrative parts of Josefův Důl.

Josefův Důl lies 8 kilometres (5 mi) south-west from the city of Jablonec nad Nisou. It is located at 625 metres (2,051 ft) above sea level in the valley of the Kamenice river in the southeastern part of the Jizera Mountains. The highest point of the municipality is 956 metres (3,136 ft) above sea level.

The main watercourse of the area is the Kamenice river, which is a tributary of the Jizera. The Kamenice is collected by the Josefův Důl dam, which also lies in the municipal area.[2] Other watercourses in the municipality include the Jedlová, which flows through the Jedlový důl nature reserve, or the streams Červený, Jelení, Pekelný and Hluboký. Due to the rugged terrain there are multiple waterfalls in the area.

At the beginning of 1690, Maximilian II Emanuel populated the area with German immigrants. In 1701, the village of Karlov was founded by the Desfours family, who were known for the estates of Groß Rohosetz and Morchenstern. The new village was known for producing glass and crystal products.[2] Karlov was divided into Horní Maxov, Karlov and Josefův Důl in 1827. Fifty years later Antonínov and Dolní Maxov were incorporated.

The Munich Agreement permitted Nazi Germany's Adolf Hitler to annex the area in 1938 into what he called the Sudetenland. Shortly thereafter Karlov was dissolved becoming Horní Maxov and Antonínov. Josefův Důl and Dolní Maxov formed a new municipality named Josefodol. Following World War II, in 1945, the municipality was returned to Czechoslovakia and the German inhabitants were expelled under the terms of Beneš decrees.

Josefův Důl railway station

There is a railway station in Josefův Důl. The Josefův Důl–Smržovka local railway starts here.

Known as "the gateway to Jizera Mountains", Josefův Důl is a popular destination for skiers, hikers and cyclists.[2]

Church of the Transfiguration of Christ

The Church of the Transfiguration of Christ was built between 1862 and 1865 in the neo-gothic style. Its construction was partially funded by a lottery and 4,000 gold pieces were collected. The ceremonial laying of the foundation stone was held in September 1862. The church tower is 45 metres (148 ft) high, the interior fittings house three valuable altar paintings by Wilhelm Kandler.[3]

Other sights include:

• Chapel of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Karlov
• Castle, seat of the royal family of the Des Fours-Walderode
• Multiple waterfalls

• Gustav Leutelt (1860–1947), poet and writer
• Fidelio F. Finke (1891–1968), composer

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Josefův Důl (Jablonec nad Nisou District).

• Official website
• Tourist portal