Fuchsloch

Fuchsloch is a historic timber cottage in Bedřichov, the last surviving trace of the vanished glassworks settlement of Kristiánov tucked away in the forests of the Jizera Mountains. Sitting at roughly 800 metres above sea level, the building now works as a small museum telling the story of the glassmaking community that lived here through the 18th and 19th centuries.

Where does the name come from and what's the history?

The settlement of Kristiánov was founded by master glassmaker Johann Leopold Riedel on behalf of Count Christian Philipp Clam-Gallas. The first furnace was fired up on 6 January 1776, and a small village of glassworkers and their families quickly grew around it. The house known today as Fuchsloch belonged to one of the settlement's residents, a man named Fuchs — which is where the name comes from, literally translating to "fox hole," even though it has nothing to do with actual foxes. Glass production in Kristiánov declined through the 19th century, and the glassworks itself burned down in 1887. The whole settlement gradually disappeared from the landscape, leaving Fuchsloch as the only building to survive to the present day.

What can you see at Fuchsloch today?

Since 1963 the building has been cared for by the Museum of Glass and Jewellery in Jablonec nad Nisou. It's listed as a cultural monument in the Czech Republic's heritage register, and in 2016 it underwent a thorough reconstruction that won the prestigious Karel Hubáček Award the following year, recognizing it as one of the best building projects in the country. Inside, an exhibition covers the history of glassmaking in the Jizera Mountains, including a 3D model showing what the entire Kristiánov settlement once looked like. It's a rare chance to see how a glassworking community lived and worked, hidden deep in the mountain forests far from any major town.

How do you get to Fuchsloch?

The building stands in Bedřichov (house number 52), close to the village centre, surrounded by the dense forests of the Jizera Mountains. The easiest way to reach it is on foot or by bike — the whole Bedřichov area is known for its dense network of hiking trails and cycling routes. In winter, the same trails turn into some of the region's most popular cross-country skiing tracks. You can drive as far as Bedřichov itself, from where it's just a short walk along a forest path to Fuchsloch.

When's the best time to visit?

Fuchsloch operates seasonally, mainly during the summer months, when tourist traffic in the Jizera Mountains peaks. It's a good opportunity to pair a visit with a hike along the surrounding trails, which offer views of forests, reservoirs and other remnants of the region's old glassmaking industry. Plan your visit during daytime hours, since — like most small regional museums — it keeps limited opening hours.

Frequently asked questions

What is Fuchsloch? It's a historic timber house, the only surviving building from the former glassmaking settlement of Kristiánov, now serving as a small museum of glassmaking history.

Who founded the Kristiánov settlement? It was founded by master glassmaker Johann Leopold Riedel for Count Christian Philipp Clam-Gallas, with the first furnace lit on 6 January 1776.

Where does the name Fuchsloch come from? The house belonged to a settlement resident named Fuchs — the name has nothing to do with foxes, despite its literal translation as "fox hole."

Can you visit the inside? Yes, the building is open seasonally to visitors and features an exhibition with a 3D model of the vanished Kristiánov settlement.