Libštát

Libštát (German: Liebstadtl) is a market town in Semily District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 900 inhabitants.

Libštát
Market town
Centre of Libštát
Flag Coat of arms
Libštát Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°33′34″N 15°24′58″E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Liberec
District	Semily
First mentioned	1322
Area
• Total	10.13 km2 (3.91 sq mi)
Elevation	364 m (1,194 ft)
Population  (2025-01-01)[1]
• Total	912
• Density	90/km2 (230/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	512 03
Website	www.libstat.e-obec.cz

Etymology

The name was derived from the Middle High German words liube stat, meaning 'nice place'.^[2]

Geography

Libštát is located about 32 kilometres (20 mi) southeast of Liberec. It lies in the Giant Mountains Foothills. The highest point is the hill U Jeřábu at 517 m (1,696 ft) above sea level. The Oleška River flows through the market town.

History

The first written mention of Libštát is from 1322, when it was a property of Hynek of Waldstein. The village was probably founded in the 13th century by German immigrants. The Waldstein family owned Libštát until 1391. After that, less important noble families took turns in ownership. From 1525, the village was referred to as a market town.^[3]

Demographics

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1869 1,219 —     1880 1,351 +10.8% 1890 1,373 +1.6% 1900 1,573 +14.6% 1910 1,760 +11.9%	Year Pop. ±% 1921 1,550 −11.9% 1930 1,447 −6.6% 1950 1,089 −24.7% 1961 1,038 −4.7% 1970 984 −5.2%	Year Pop. ±% 1980 924 −6.1% 1991 971 +5.1% 2001 981 +1.0% 2011 952 −3.0% 2021 918 −3.6%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Transport

Libštát is located on the railway line Liberec–Jaroměř.

Sights

Stone bridge

A cultural monument is the former Evangelical prayer house. It was built in 1839–1842 and is a unique proof of renewal of the Evangelical community in the Czech lands. Next to the prayer house is a separate wooden bell tower.^[6]

A valuable three-arched stone bridge from 1822 spans the river Oleška. It is decorated with statues of St. Wenceslaus and St. John of Nepomuk, dating from 1851.^[7]