Hojerův dům

Hojerův dům is the ruin of a once-isolated forest cottage in the Jizera Mountains, sitting on the Middle Jizera Ridge within the municipality of Kořenov, in the Jablonec nad Nisou district. Tucked away in the woods far from the nearest settlement, the site today draws mainly hikers and anyone curious about the borderland's history of timber cutting and cross-border smuggling.

Where exactly is it?

The ruins lie on the Middle Jizera Ridge, set apart from the main built-up area of the Jizerka settlement, in the direction of the Velká Jizera valley and the present-day border with Poland. The approximate coordinates are 50.837°N, 15.360°E. Administratively the site belongs to the municipality of Kořenov in the Liberec Region, and the land is currently owned by the Czech state forestry authority, Lesy České republiky.

How the house came to be

The cottage was built in 1699 by Christopher Schönwald as a simple forest hut. In 1763 the property passed to Michael Neumann, Schönwald's son-in-law, who partially rebuilt it. Ownership changed again in 1826, when Franz Hüyer bought the property, and by 1877 records list Josef Hoyer as the owner — it is from this family's name that the house takes its present designation.

An inn for smugglers and poachers

By the late 19th century the building had turned into an inn, and according to historical records it became a meeting place for smugglers and poachers. That was no coincidence: an old customs road once ran nearby, connecting Jizerka with the Velká Jizera valley — a route long used for moving goods illegally across the nearby border. The cottage's remote position, far from any oversight, made it well suited to that kind of trade.

The twentieth century

In the first half of the 20th century the building was rebuilt once more, with the ground floor given stone walls to make the structure more durable. During the Second World War a forest ranger named Junker lived there, looking after the surrounding woodland. After he left, the house fell out of use and gradually deteriorated into ruin.

What is left to see today

Only ruins remain of Hojerův dům today. The farm-building section has survived somewhat better than the rest, while the former residential part — most likely built of wood — has almost completely disappeared, leaving mainly foundation traces. The site is not a marked or developed tourist attraction, but it is a worthwhile stop for hikers exploring the Middle Jizera Ridge who have an interest in the settlement and smuggling history of the Jizera Mountains.

Good to know before visiting

Because of its remote location and lack of clear signage, reaching the ruins takes some orienteering skill, and it's worth checking a hiking map of the Jizerka area beforehand. The surrounding terrain is forested and without any facilities, so the site is best treated as part of a longer hiking route through the Jizera Mountains rather than a standalone, easily reached destination.

Frequently asked questions

When was Hojerův dům built? The cottage was built in 1699 by Christopher Schönwald, and the building was rebuilt and changed hands several times over the following centuries.

Where does the name Hojerův dům come from? It comes from the Hoyer/Hüyer family — Franz Hüyer bought the property in 1826, and Josef Hoyer is recorded as its owner in 1877.

What was the building used for in the late 19th century? It operated as an inn where smugglers and poachers gathered, taking advantage of an old customs road that ran nearby.

What condition is the site in today? The building is now completely ruined — mainly the farm-building section and some foundations survive, and the land belongs to the Czech state forestry authority.

Where exactly are the ruins located? On the Middle Jizera Ridge, within the municipality of Kořenov in the Jablonec nad Nisou district, away from the main part of the Jizerka settlement.