Šámalova chata

Šámalova chata is a historic mountain hut located on the Nová Louka mountain meadow in the Jizera Mountains, close to Bedřichov in the Jablonec nad Nisou District of northern Czech Republic. Situated roughly 130 kilometres from Prague and near the borders with Germany and Poland, the property serves visitors to the surrounding mountain landscape, including hikers, cyclists, skiers and other tourists. It also operates as accommodation and is known as a venue for social events, particularly wedding banquets. The site originated in 1756, when Mr. Riedel built a timber residential house alongside a glassworks. The glassworks remained in operation until 1817, after which it was demolished two decades later. In 1844, the residential building was sold to the Clam-Gallas family, local nobility who reconstructed it as a timber hunting lodge. The building eventually acquired the name Šámalova chata in connection with its frequent use by the Czech politician Přemysl Šámal. During the interwar period, Šámalova chata became associated with the Czechoslovak state. In 1929 it entered state ownership and was used as the local forest office for Bedřichov. It also served as a government recreational property during the periods surrounding the First and Second World Wars. The hut was renovated between the First and Second World Wars, with many rooms lined in larch wood. Its largest room was furnished in a style resembling the room and bath used by Jan Masaryk at Černín Palace in Prague. The property was also connected with President Edvard Beneš. In preparation for one of his visits, a water turbine was installed at nearby Blatný rybník, approximately 800 metres from the hut, allowing the building to be electrified. The hut's historical associations, mountain setting and traditional hospitality have helped it become a recognizable destination in the Jizera Mountains. Its hospitality identity is built around a rustic mountain-lodge experience rather than a mass-market consumer brand. The hut has been particularly noted for straightforward but well-regarded cuisine, including game dishes. In addition to food service and lodging, it provides a setting for weddings and other gatherings. Following the political changes after 1989, the surrounding location was also used for film and television production, including the 1994 television series Prima sezóna and the 2016 drama film Tenkrát v ráji. A plaque on the meadow commemorates Přemysl Šámal, whose wartime resistance activities and death in Nazi custody are central to the site's modern name and historical memory.

Šámalova chata began as a timber residential building constructed in 1756 by Mr. Riedel beside a glassworks at Nová Louka in the Jizera Mountains. The glassworks operated until 1817 and was demolished approximately twenty years later. In 1844, the residential property was sold to the Clam-Gallas family, local nobility who converted or reconstructed it as a timber hunting lodge. The building later became associated with Přemysl Šámal, a Czech politician who served as head of the Office of the President of Czechoslovakia during the First Czechoslovak Republic. Šámal also used the hut frequently. His later involvement in the anti-Nazi Politické ústředí resistance movement, followed by his torture and death in Berlin's Moabit prison on 9 March 1941, gave the property an important commemorative dimension. A plaque was placed beside the meadow in his memory, and the hut came to be known as Šámalova chata, or Šámal hut. In 1929, the property became owned by the Czechoslovak state. It was used as the forest office for Bedřichov and also as a recreational hut connected with the Czechoslovak government during the periods of the First and Second World Wars. During the interwar years, the hut underwent renovation. Many rooms were lined with larch wood, and the largest room was arranged in a style modeled on the room and bathroom of Jan Masaryk at Černín Palace in Prague. The hut's infrastructure was improved in connection with a visit by Edvard Beneš, who was president of Czechoslovakia during 1935–1938 and again from 1945–1948. A water turbine was installed at Blatný rybník, around 800 metres from the building, and the hut was electrified as part of the preparations associated with the visit. In its modern role, Šámalova chata functions as a mountain destination for cyclists, skiers and tourists. It is also used as a hotel and restaurant. Its reputation has been linked to simple but well-prepared food, especially game dishes, while its lodge setting makes it suitable for weddings and other banquets. After 1989, the wider location gained an additional connection with Czech screen culture through its use in film and television productions, including Prima sezóna in 1994 and Tenkrát v ráji in 2016.

• 2016

  Appearance in Tenkrát v ráji

  [2]Death of Přemysl Šámalen.wikipedia.org

  The area was used in the drama film Tenkrát v ráji.

• 1994

  Use as a filming location

  [2]Death of Přemysl Šámalen.wikipedia.org

  The surrounding area was used for the television series Prima sezóna.

• 1941

  Death of Přemysl Šámal

  [2]Death of Přemysl Šámalen.wikipedia.org

  Přemysl Šámal died in Nazi custody in Moabit, Berlin, and was later commemorated by a plaque near the hut.

• 1935

  Association with Edvard Beneš's presidency

  [1]Šámalova chataen.wikipedia.org

  The hut was connected with the period in which Edvard Beneš served as president; infrastructure improvements included electrification linked to a planned visit.

• 1929

  Transfer to Czechoslovak state ownership

  [1]Šámalova chataen.wikipedia.org

  The hut became state property and was used as the Bedřichov forest office as well as a government recreational property.

• 1844

  Conversion into a hunting lodge

  [1]Šámalova chataen.wikipedia.org

  The property was sold to the Clam-Gallas family, who reconstructed it as a timber hunting hut.

• 1817

  Glassworks ceases operation

  [1]Šámalova chataen.wikipedia.org

  The glassworks associated with the original settlement remained operational until 1817.

• 1756

  Construction of the original residence

  [1]Šámalova chataen.wikipedia.org

  Mr. Riedel built a timber residential house at Nová Louka together with a glassworks.

A historic, rustic mountain hospitality destination combining accommodation, traditional cuisine and cultural heritage in the Jizera Mountains.

• Hospitality

  Mountain accommodation

  Šámalova chata provides lodging in a historic mountain-hut setting at Nová Louka. Its accommodation offer is oriented toward visitors exploring the Jizera Mountains, including hikers, cyclists, skiers and other tourists.

• Food service

  Traditional restaurant cuisine

  The hut has been associated with simple, well-regarded cooking, with game dishes specifically noted as a culinary specialty. The offer reflects the property's rustic mountain-lodge identity rather than a standardized chain-restaurant format.

• Events and banqueting

  Wedding banquets and private events

  The property is used for wedding banquets and other gatherings, taking advantage of its historic interiors and secluded mountain setting.

• 1929

  Adoption for state and government useStrategy

  Background

  The hut entered Czechoslovak state ownership during the interwar period.

  Action taken

  It was used as the Bedřichov forest office and as a recreational hut for the Czechoslovak government.

  Aftermath

  The property gained a formal public-administration and state-recreation role in addition to its earlier aristocratic use.

  Source

• 1844

  Reconstruction as a hunting lodgeStrategy

  Background

  After acquiring the former residential property, the Clam-Gallas family reshaped the building for use as a timber hunting hut.

  Action taken

  The building was reconstructed and its function shifted from an earlier residential and industrial setting toward an aristocratic hunting retreat.

  Aftermath

  This reconstruction established the architectural and historical character that later became associated with Šámalova chata.

  Source

• Development as a visitor-oriented hospitality venueOther

  Background

  The historic hut became a destination for visitors to the Jizera Mountains.

  Action taken

  It developed into a mountain hotel and restaurant serving tourists and hosting wedding banquets.

  Aftermath

  The site now combines heritage value with accommodation, dining and event services.

  Source

1. 1Šámalova chataen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Death of Přemysl Šámalen.wikipedia.org