Last modified: 2002-07-05 by jarig bakker
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The town was founded in the mid-13th century by Jaroslav and Havel of
the Markvartice family on a headland above the Jizera river. Subsequently,
the town was owned by the eminent Czech aristocratic families of Vartenberk
and Smiřičtí.
Turnov often suffered from incursions from foreign troops. Lusatian
Knights of the Cross burned it down in 1468 and Swedes in 1643. A great
fire also threatened it in 1707.
In spite of all calamities, crafts developed quickly there. The first
glassworks for the production of "baked glass composites", i.e. artificial
precious stones made of glass, were set up as early as in the 17th century.
In the 16th century, various cutting workshops had already existed, adapting
and cutting precious stones either local or imported. Trading in these
precious stones flourished especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, when
they were exported worldwide. The tradition of the production of jewels
continues at Turnov. A local school of applied arts was already established
in 1884 as the first of its kind in Europe,
focuses on the treatment of stone and metals and the production of
jewels.
At present, Turnov is the tourist centre of the northern part of the
Bohemian Paradise and the ideal starting point for trips throughout the
areas of Hrubá Skála, Malá Skála and Klokočské skály. The town is also
the seat of the administration of the Protected Landscape Area of the Bohemian
Paradise.
Blas Delgado Ortiz, 15 May 2001
Some interesting fact about Czech municipal Flags - there are also flags
with different reverse side there, just like in former USSR. It was in
Turnow town, where red field on the backside of flag on City Hall has no
picture at all. It has only white and red vertical stripes.
Aleš Křížan, 29 Jun 2002
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