Štěpánka Lookout tower

The stone lookout tower is located on the Hvězda hill about 1 km from Příchovice to the east and about 20 km from Jablonec nad Nisou also to the east. It is located at an altitude of 958 meters and was first opened to the public on August 14, 1892.

The total height of the lookout tower is 24 meters. After a hike to the viewing platform, located at a height of 21 meters, a view of the Jizera and Lusatian Mountains, the Giant Mountains, Ještěd, Trosky, Bezděz, Kumburk and others will open up in front of you. A metal map located on the outer gallery will help you with orientation.

The easiest way from Kořenov leads to the lookout tower, where you turn off road no. 10 towards Příchovice. After about 1.5 km, turn left and you will reach the Hvězda cottage, where you can park your car. From here you have to walk along the blue tourist sign directly to the lookout tower.

Many people consider Štěpánka on the Hvězda hill to be the most beautiful lookout tower ever. It is located on the border between the Giant Mountains and the Jizera Mountains near Příchovice. It got its name from the provincial administrator and Archduke Stephen.

This man supervised the construction of the road between Trutnov and Liberec. One day he climbed the Hvězda hill and was completely enchanted by the view, which was noticed by Prince Kamil Rohan, the owner of the local estate. It was he who decided to build a lookout tower on the hill.

The foundation stone for the lookout tower was laid exactly one month after Štěpán's visit to Hvězda, on July 27, 1847. During the first days, the building grew rapidly, but was soon suspended, at the time when the Archduke left for the Viennese court. Related to this event is the legend of a gypsy who predicted death to anyone who completes the tower.

The mere torso of the lookout tower stood here for 41 years, but tourists still visited it. Unfortunately, the unfinished lookout tower was significantly damaged by vandals and weather conditions. In 1888, part of the falling masonry even killed one of the vandals, which set things in motion again. The unfinished lookout tower was bought by the municipality of Příchovice and continued to be managed by the Der Deutsche Gebirgsverein für das Jeschken- und Isergebirge. It was this that contributed to the collection of funds needed to complete the lookout tower. The construction was led by master Hájek from Rokytnice. The construction began on May 1, 1892 and was ceremoniously opened on August 14 of the same year. Shortly after opening, on September 13, 1892, Prince Rohan died.

The lookout tower was placed on the building in 1956. In 2007 a webcam was placed on top of the lookout tower and currently the Kořenov Municipal Office owns the tower and the tenant takes care of the operation of the lookout tower. The fact that this work is truly unique is also proved by the fact that the lookout tower was registered in the monument fund of the State Institute of Monument Care in 1963.

Author: Andrea Štyndlová