# Liberec
### 1. Basic facts

- **Liberec** (German: *Reichenberg*) – city in **northern Bohemia**, Czech Republic.
- **Population:** ~104,000 – the **5th largest city** in the Czech Republic.
- Capital of the **Liberec Region** (Liberecký kraj).
- Located in the **Nisa River basin**, between **Ještěd Ridge** (west) and **Jizera Mountains** (east).
- Close to the German and Polish borders → part of the **Euroregion Nisa**.

### 2. History

- First mentioned in the **14th century** as a small textile village.
- **18th–19th century:** booming **textile industry** – called *"Manchester of Bohemia"*.
- **German-speaking majority** until 1945, then expulsion of Germans after WWII.
- After 1989, modern services and tourism replaced heavy industry.

### 3. Landmarks

- **Ještěd Tower (1,012 m)** – iconic hyperboloid TV tower & hotel by architect **Karel Hubáček**, finished 1973. Won the **Auguste Perret Prize**. Symbol of the city, reachable by **cable car**.
- **Liberec Town Hall (Radnice)** – neo-Renaissance, 1893, modelled on the Vienna City Hall.
- **House of Culture (Lidové sady)** and **F. X. Šalda Theatre**.
- **Liberec Castle** – Wallenstein’s former residence, in the city centre.
- **Babylon Centre** – large entertainment complex with waterpark, lasergame, hotel.
- **iQLANDIA** – science museum / interactive centre for kids and students.
- **Severočeské muzeum** – regional museum (oldest in CZ outside Prague).
- **Oblastní galerie Liberec (Lázně)** – art gallery in former bath house.
- **ZOO Liberec** – the **oldest zoo in CZ**, famous for **white Bengal tigers**.
- **Botanická zahrada** – botanical garden right next to the zoo.

### 4. Sport

- **Bílí Tygři Liberec** – top ice hockey team (Czech Extraliga), 1× Czech champions (2016).
- **FC Slovan Liberec** – football team, multiple-time Czech champion.
- **Home Credit Arena** – multifunctional arena, 7,500 seats, hosts hockey and concerts.
- Winter sports nearby: **Ještěd ski resort, Bedřichov, Tanvaldský Špičák**.
- 2009 **FIS Nordic World Ski Championships** were held in Liberec.

### 5. Nature around Liberec

- **Ještěd Ridge** – hiking, cycling, skiing, cable car to the top.
- **Jizera Mountains (Jizerské hory)** – cross-country skiing paradise (Bedřichov), Bukovec peak.
- **Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj)** – rock formations, hiking, just south.
- **Jablonné v Podještědí, Lemberk Castle, Sychrov Chateau** nearby.

### 6. Industry and economy

- **Škoda Auto** has a plant nearby (Mladá Boleslav is the main one).
- **Magna, Denso** – automotive suppliers.
- **Preciosa** – world-famous **glass and crystal** manufacturer based here.
- **Technical University of Liberec (TUL)** – major employer and education centre.

### 7. Education

- **Technical University of Liberec (TUL)** – 6 faculties (Mechanical, Textile, Economics, Education, Arts, etc.).
- Several **secondary technical schools**, including the *Střední průmyslová škola Liberec* ("Průmyslovka") – producing this very maturita exam :).

### 8. Transport

- **Tram network** (one of the oldest in CZ) – including the tramway to Jablonec nad Nisou (line 11), the longest tram line in CZ.
- **Train station** (Liberec hlavní nádraží) – connections to Prague, Decín, Pardubice.
- **D10 motorway** connects Liberec to Prague.
- **Bus station** (terminál MHD) right next to the train station.

### 9. Shopping & entertainment

- **OC Forum** and **OC Plaza** – modern shopping malls.
- **Nisa Centre** – another large mall.
- **Babylon** – aquapark, laser games, hotel.
- Cinemas: **CineStar (Forum)**, **Kino Varšava** (alternative).
- Many cafés, pubs and clubs in the city centre.

### 10. Speaking strategy

Start with location (north Bohemia, between Ještěd and the Jizera Mountains). Say it’s the 5th largest city in CZ. Mention **Ještěd Tower** (icon) and **Liberec ZOO** (oldest in CZ). Add what you do in your free time here (sport on Ještěd, shopping in Forum). Finish with the university and your own school.