Dubá, Liberec Region, Czech Republic

🇨🇿 Dubá (Dauba) is a town in Česká Lípa District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.

Administrative parts The villages and hamlets of Bukovec, Deštná, Dražejov, Dřevčice, Heřmánky, Horky, Horní Dubová Hora, Kluk, Korce, Křenov, Lhota, Nedamov, Nedvězí, Nový Berštejn, Panská Ves, Plešivec, Sušice, Zakšín and Zátyní are administrative parts of Dubá.

Geography Dubá is located about 15 km (9 mi) south of Česká Lípa and 48 km (30 mi) north of Prague. It lies in the Ralsko Uplands. The highest point is the hill Korecký vrch at 465 m (1,526 ft) above sea level. There are two ponds in the municipal territory, Černý and Rozprechtický. Černý is used for recreational purposes, Rozprechtický is used for fish farming. Most of the territory lies in the Kokořínsko – Máchův kraj Protected Landscape Area.

History According to archaeological finds, there was an old Slavic settlement, existing from the first half of the 11th century. The first written mention of Dubá and Lords of Dubá is from 1253. The Berka of Dubá family owned the town until 1622. After the Battle of White Mountain, their properties were confiscated and Dubá was acquired by Albrecht von Wallenstein. After that, the owners of Dubá often changed.

Because of large fires in 1692, 1711 and 1845, Dubá never became a big town.

Until 1918, the town was part of Austria-Hungary, head of the Dauba district, one of the 94 Bezirkshauptmannschaften in Bohemia. From 1938 to 1945, it was annexed by Nazi Germany and administered as a part of Reichsgau Sudetenland. After the World War II, the German population was expelled.

Transport The I/9 road (the section from Mělník to Česká Lípa) passes through the municipality.

Sights The main landmark of the Dubá is the Church of the Finding the Holy Cross. It was built in the late Baroque style in 1744–1760. The interior is equipped with rococo furniture.

Nový Berštejn Castle was built in 1553–1567. In 1945, it was confiscated by the state and adapted to a special boarding school. After falling into disrepair, it was to be demolished, but it was bought by a private owner in 1991 and repaired. Since 1997, the castle has been used as a hotel with a sports complex.