Libouchec

Libouchec (German: Königswald) is a municipality and village in Ústí nad Labem District in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,900 inhabitants.

Libouchec
Municipality
Libouchec Castle
Flag Coat of arms
Libouchec Location in the Czech Republic
Coordinates: 50°45′31″N 14°2′27″E
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Ústí nad Labem
District	Ústí nad Labem
First mentioned	1169
Area
• Total	28.02 km2 (10.82 sq mi)
Elevation	336 m (1,102 ft)
Population  (2025-01-01)[1]
• Total	1,907
• Density	68/km2 (180/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal codes	400 02, 403 35
Website	www.libouchec.cz

Administrative division

Libouchec consists of four municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):^[2]

• Libouchec (1,655)
• Čermná (93)
• Knínice (56)
• Žďárek (30)

Geography

Libouchec is located about 9 kilometres (6 mi) north of Ústí nad Labem. The municipal territory is very diverse and lies in fourth nature regions. The built-up area is situated in the valley of the brook Jílovský potok, which is part of the Most Basin lowland. The valley separates the Central Bohemian Uplands and the eastern tip of the Ore Mountains. The northeastern part of the municipality extends into the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and includes the highest point of the municipality, Nad Stěnami at 623 m (2,044 ft) above sea level.

History

The first settlers of the area were Celts and Germanic peoples, and from the 5th century Slavs. The first written mention of a fortress in the area is from 1169. In the 13th century, a settlement called Regis Silva ("King's forest" in Latin) was founded around the fortress. The first written mention of the settlement is from 1352. Libouchec gained its Czech name after the local stream and the name was first documented in 1543.^[3]

An important salt trail was running through Libouchec. Salt was carried from here to Děčín where it was embarked and sent to inland. There started an important production in manufacture in the end of feudalism (buttons, textile, primitive machines). In the 16th century, the nobility from Bynov began with logging and mining of ore and silver. In the 19th century, its surroundings were an industrial region. There began the production of velvet, liqueurs, mustard and agricultural machines.^[3]

Important was the railway which led from Duchcov to Děčín. It was built in 1869 and was the most expensive railway in the country being built at that time.^[3] The operation of this railway was abolished in 2008.

Demographics

Historical population

Year Pop. ±% 1869 2,226 —     1880 2,432 +9.3% 1890 2,479 +1.9% 1900 2,443 −1.5% 1910 2,609 +6.8%	Year Pop. ±% 1921 2,433 −6.7% 1930 2,770 +13.9% 1950 1,755 −36.6% 1961 1,824 +3.9% 1970 1,824 +0.0%	Year Pop. ±% 1980 1,811 −0.7% 1991 1,671 −7.7% 2001 1,683 +0.7% 2011 1,753 +4.2% 2021 1,834 +4.6%
Source: Censuses[4][5]

Transport

During the tourist season, on weekends and holidays, a train on the Děčín–Telnice line runs through Libouchec. The ČSD Class M 152.0 retro train drives there.^[6]

Sights

Church of Three Wise Men

The most significant buildings are the Church of Three Wise Men and the castle. The church was built in 1357; after burning out it was repaired in the 16th century and from that time it was rebuilt many times.^[3]

The Libouchec Castle, originally named Schönstein, was established by Günter of Bünau in the 16th century. Due to the Thirty Years' War and fires, the castle gradually fell into disrepair and it has been in the emergency conditions. In 2003, the castle was sold and has since been repaired.^[3][7]