Tanvald

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

• Tanvald (3,982)
• Šumburk nad Desnou (1,592)
• Žďár (251)

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

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.

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.

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

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.

• Libor Němeček (born 1968), tennis player and coach

Tanvald is twinned with:

• Burbach, Germany
• Lubomierz, Poland
• Marcinowice, Poland
• Wittichenau, Germany