History of the Kopanina Lookout Tower

Amazing view of the Ještěd Ridge, Bohemian Paradise, Krkonoše and Jizera Mountains

The observation tower on the 667-meter-high Kopanina hill, on the border of the Bohemian Paradise and the Jizera Mountains, was built in 1894. The construction was carried out by the Czech Tourist Club according to the project of Ing. František Duba from Turnov. Already in 1892, the Turnov branch of the CTC acquired the necessary land and collected over three thousand gold coins for its construction. The construction was led by Mr. Knop from Turnov, and the foundation stone was laid on October 29, 1893. The observation tower was completed in the spring of 1894 and ceremoniously opened on June 3, 1894. The original tower measured 18 meters and had an uncovered battlement at its top.

The stone tower offered amazing views in all directions. On the almost treeless hill, it was possible to see the Ještěd Ridge, Bohemian Paradise with the dominant Trosky Castle, Kozákov Hill, and the Maloskalsko area, Krkonoše, and the Jizera Mountains, including Černá studnice. The structure also had significance as a guard post between the then northern, predominantly German-speaking border area, and the southern Czech territory around the Jizera River.

Several hundred visitors and guests from the surrounding area and Prague, from where a special train with CTC delegates arrived, attended the ceremonial opening. On the first day, more than 400 people climbed the tower, and the revenue reached 20 gold coins.

For several years, the tower was called "Pacltova" after Čeněk Paclt, a significant promoter of tourism in Turnov, but eventually, the name after the Kopanina hill prevailed.

In 1936, the tower was extended by several meters and supplemented with a glass extension and roofing, which has been preserved to this day. The current height of the tower is 21 meters. After World War II, the management was taken over by TJ Sokol Frýdštejn, and since 1956, the tower has been under the care of the municipal office (MNV Frýdštejn). In the last twenty years, regular maintenance and partial reconstructions have been carried out.

The Kopanina Lookout Tower remains a popular and carefully maintained destination for tourists from Maloskalsko, Bohemian Paradise, and the Jizera Mountains, who can enjoy the beautiful views of the landscape here.

Source:

http://www.wikirozhledny.cz/rozhledna/kopanina
http://www.hrady.cz/index.php?OID=1262
http://rozhledny2.webzdarma.cz/kopanina.htm
http://cs.wikipedia.org