Turnov Live Cam

History

Turnov’s origins date back to the late 12th century, when a small settlement emerged at a strategic ford along the Jizera River. The name “Turnov” likely derives from the Old Czech word “turna,” meaning tower, referencing a wooden watchtower that guarded the trade route linking Prague to Silesia. As one of the oldest towns in the Liberec Region, Turnov quickly grew into a bustling market center renowned in medieval travel accounts for its weekly fairs, which attracted merchants selling Bohemian glass, woolen cloth, and precious gemstones.

During the 14th century, under the rule of King Charles IV, Turnov became an important node in the burgeoning network of Bohemian towns. Royal charters granted Turnov the right to hold markets and build defensive walls, catalyzing the construction of stone fortifications and a Gothic parish church dedicated to Saint Catherine. The medieval core of the town, with its arcaded merchants’ houses and narrow lanes, still bears witness to Turnov’s heyday as a vital stop on Prague to Kraków trade caravans.

The Renaissance era ushered in a golden age for Turnov tourism. The town leveraged its abundant local resources—sandstone from quarries in Hruboskalsko and garnet-bearing schists—to develop distinctive crafts. Stonecutters carved intricate figures for the castles of nearby nobles, and the first gem-cutting workshops appeared in the 16th century, marking the birth of what would become a legendary Turnov jewellery tradition. Skilled artisans gleaned from neighboring Saxony introduced advanced grinding and polishing techniques, propelling Turnov’s reputation as the “Gemstone Capital of Bohemia.”

Turnov’s strategic location also made it a crossroads of religious reform. In the tumultuous years of the Hussite Wars (1419–1434), the town briefly aligned with the Hussite movement, fortifying its walls and rallying local militia. Although Turnov avoided major sieges, its solidarity with reformist ideals influenced the local culture of tolerance and intellectual exchange. After the conflict, the town welcomed returning exiles and craftsmen who further enriched Turnov’s textile, glassmaking, and gem-cutting industries.

Under Habsburg rule in the 17th and 18th centuries, Turnov adapted to changing economic currents. While large-scale mining in the Bohemian Highlands slowed, the town’s gem cutters shifted to producing jewelry for the imperial court in Vienna. Concurrently, manuscript workshops flourished, copying religious texts and illuminating choral books for monasteries throughout Central Europe. Turnov’s Baroque churches and chapels, adorned with frescoes by local artists, testify to this era of cultural patronage and artisan excellence.

The arrival of the railway in 1874 transformed Turnov once again, integrating it into the emerging Czech Republic travel network. Steam trains brought holidaymakers from Prague eager to explore the scenic sandstone towers of the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj), a landscape of rocky gorges, castles, and dense forests. Pension houses and spa facilities sprung up to accommodate these early tourists, laying the groundwork for modern Turnov hotels and guesthouses.

During the 20th century, Turnov expanded its industrial base while preserving its heritage. Factories producing precision-cut garnets and Bohemian garnet jewelry employed generations of local families, while art schools trained apprentices in stone engraving and metalwork. After the Velvet Revolution of 1989, the town invested in restoring its historic center, pedestrianizing Masaryk Square and rehabilitating the Gothic-Tudor Turnov Castle into a museum dedicated to regional history, Turnov attractions, and gemology.

Climate

Turnov’s climate is classified as temperate oceanic (Cfb) transitioning to humid continental in higher elevations—a balance of mild summers and cold, snowy winters. Summer daytime highs in July and August average between 22 °C and 25 °C (72 °F–77 °F), making this period ideal for outdoor activities highlighted in “things to do in Turnov” guides, such as hiking in the Prachov Rocks or cycling along the Jizera River bike trails. Cool nights, often dropping to around 12 °C (54 °F), ensure that even peak season visitors can enjoy comfortable evenings strolling Turnov’s illuminated historic streets.

Winters bring reliable snowfall from December through February, with average lows dipping to −5 °C to −8 °C (23 °F–17 °F). This snowy blanket transforms Turnov into a winter wonderland, perfect for “Turnov skiing” enthusiasts who venture to nearby ski resorts like Skiareál Černá Říčka. Cross-country trails wind through frost-laden forests, while ice skating rinks in the town center draw families and winter sports clubs. The snowiest months—January and February—also align with local events such as the Garnet Festival, celebrating Turnov’s gemstone legacy amid frosty surroundings.

Spring in Turnov is marked by a swift thaw that rejuvenates the Bohemian Paradise landscape. By late March, the first wildflowers emerge along riverbanks and sandstone outcrops, beckoning botany aficionados and “Turnov nature tours” operators. April showers moderate the air and feed cascading streams in the Daliborka Gorge, while May boasts average highs of 18 °C (64 °F) and invites visitors to explore open-air terraces at local wineries and breweries specializing in regional craft beers.

Autumn offers arguably the most spectacular Turnov weather for photographers and “Turnov travel bloggers.” September temperatures linger around 19 °C (66 °F), and crisp mornings reveal a kaleidoscope of amber, crimson, and gold as beech and oak woodlands near the Hruboskalsko overlook shift to fall colors. The season also heralds the Red Stone Harvest, a farmers’ market in Masaryk Square showcasing local honey, artisanal cheeses, and garnet-inspired confections, drawing foodies and cultural tourists alike.

Geography

Turnov sits at the confluence of the Jizera and Kamenice rivers, at an elevation of approximately 270 m above sea level. Its position on the southern edge of the Bohemian Paradise UNESCO Geopark makes the town a gateway to one of Central Europe’s most geologically diverse landscapes. Spectacular sandstone formations—towering pillars, narrow gorges, and weathered arches—are interspersed with medieval castles perched atop rocky crags, creating a dramatic tableau that defines Turnov’s geography and drives “Bohemian Paradise tours.”

To the north, dense stands of Scots pine and Norway spruce blanket the foothills of the Jizera Mountains, whose ridges exceed 800 m. Scenic viewpoints such as Hrubá Skála and Rock Town (Prachovské skály) offer panoramic vistas over rolling valleys, and well-marked hiking trails connect rustic mountain huts serving local specialties like bryndza cheese and smoked trout. For geology enthusiasts, guided excursions delve into the region’s Mesozoic sandstone deposits, explaining the processes of sedimentation, erosion, and fossil preservation that yield Turnov’s characteristic rock panoramas.

South of Turnov, the lowlands give way to fertile alluvial meadows along the Jizera River. These riparian zones support biodiverse wetlands, where otters, kingfishers, and rare dragonflies thrive. Eco-conscious travelers can join “Turnov eco-tourism” packages that include canoeing expeditions and birdwatching safaris, highlighting efforts to preserve the floodplain’s delicate habitats while promoting sustainable recreation.

Eastward, the land rises gently toward the sandstone walls of Valdštejn Castle, one of the most photographed medieval ruins in the Czech Republic. Trails leading from Turnov pass through mixed woodlands of hornbeam, maple, and beech, offering shade in summer and vibrant color in autumn. At the castle’s weathered parapets, visitors gain insight into medieval fortification techniques and Turnov’s status as a border town defending Bohemian interests against Polish incursions during the 14th century.

West of the town center, the ancient Turnov Basin extends into agricultural lands dotted with traditional farms. Here, the soil’s mineral-rich composition, influenced by nearby metamorphic schist and sandstone deposits, contributes to the unique flavor profiles of locally grown berries and orchard fruits. Agritourism experiences allow guests to pick plums for slivovice (traditional plum brandy) or sample jams infused with garnet dust—a playful nod to Turnov’s gem-cutting heritage.

New Tip

Book an early-morning guided hot-air balloon ride over the Bohemian Paradise to witness Turnov’s sandstone towers and castles bathed in sunrise light—an unforgettable experience frequently recommended in “Turnov travel guide” itineraries.

Interesting Fact

Turnov is home to Europe’s oldest continuously operating gemstone cutting school, founded in 1884, where masters still teach traditional garnet cutting and stone engraving techniques passed down through more than a century of craft heritage.