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V BEZOVÉM ŮDOLÍ
This place is so fascinating, so connected to the surrounding nature and interwoven with a rich history, that it's hard to know where to begin to tell its story. Is it possible to summarise the eventful fate of a building whose roots date back to before 1600 in just a few paragraphs? Is it even possible to describe the enchanting beauty of the Christophertal landscape and faithfully capture the genius loci of this place? And which of the numerous conversions and remodelling that this house has undergone over the centuries should we pay particular attention to? Join us in lifting the veil of mystery that has surrounded this unique place for several hundred years and discover its eventful history, its uniqueness and its recent transformation into an authentic hotel resort, where you will wake up in the morning to the sounds of nature, the soft light of the forest and the smell of freshly baked bread.
Picturesque location
The building is located in Kryštofovo Údolí, which lies in the valley of the Rokytka River on the northern side of the Ještěd ridge. The original name of the farmstead ‘Holundergrunt’ (Elderberry Valley) was the inspiration for the name of today's spa town. A smugglers' trail used to run through the valley. The place became the inspiration for the ‘Smuggler's March’ in Bedřich Smetana's opera Hubička. Today, the town is dominated by one of the most photogenic railway viaducts in the Czech Republic. The surrounding area offers countless opportunities for hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing. The Jizera Mountains and the Giant Mountains are within easy reach.
The exciting history of the house
The half-timbered house is a unique example of 17th century village folk architecture, but the oldest part of the house was built in the 16th century! Some of the original beams and one of the stone walls from this period can still be seen. At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, the house underwent a major remodelling. It was completed in 1818, as the carpenter's date on the oak portal of the main door still shows today. As part of this remodelling, two half-timbered wings were added to the original rectangular floor plan of the house, forming a cross floor plan. Today, the house is one of only eight preserved cross-shaped houses (i.e. houses with a cross-shaped floor plan) in the Czech Republic.
The result of a thorough reconstruction: an oasis of peace in turbulent times
The visionary approach, inexhaustible elan and personal commitment of the Hoškas have borne fruit. The historic cottage now uniquely combines a cultural monument with a minimalist approach to interior design. The boutique hotel V Bezovém Údolí offers accommodation in five suites with private bathrooms and a fully equipped apartment for up to 10 people in the adjacent renovated barn.
The experiential restaurant offers modern Czech cuisine made from the highest quality local ingredients. Guests of the resort are served a rich breakfast, lunch is served from pots on traditional plastered stoves and dinner is offered as an a la carte menu. An integral part of the restaurant is the in-house bakery, which offers daily sourdough bread and other pastries not only for restaurant use but also for free sale.
"You can find the two of us at Elderberry Valley every day. Come in, have a look around, don't be afraid to ask us anything. We look forward to seeing you. And we are here for you," concludes Michal Hošek.
Photographer BoysPlayNice