KČT Česká Lípa

KČT Česká Lípa (Klub českých turistů Česká Lípa) is a local hiking and tourism club based in the town of Česká Lípa in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It operates as a registered branch (odbor) of the national Klub českých turistů (KČT), the Czech Hiking Club, and carries the national registration number 107 003. The branch has roughly two hundred members and belongs to the Liberecká oblast (Liberec Area), one of the fourteen regional areas of the KČT established after a reorganization effective 1 January 2003. The club traces its origins to 1928, when Bohumil Kinský founded a local branch of the Klub československých turistů in the then largely German-speaking town. Over the decades it was affiliated with various umbrella bodies and sports organizations, including TJ Nářadí Česká Lípa from 1957 and TJ Lokomotiva Česká Lípa from 1973, before becoming independent again under the renewed national Klub českých turistů in 1993. Today the branch organizes a yearly calendar of 50 to 200 events, including one-day and multi-day hikes in the Czech Republic and abroad, activities for different types of tourism (walking, skiing, cycling, motorcycle touring), and social events such as lectures, meetings and training sessions. Participation is open to the general public, not only to members. Some major events, such as the hike "S Adélou Českolipskem," are listed in both the regional and national KČT calendars of tourist events. The club also cooperates with other branches and national gatherings. The club maintains two bases: the Turistická ubytovna Adéla at Děčínská 1414 in Česká Lípa, which serves as its headquarters and a year-round tourist hostel, and the Turistická ubytovna Českolipská chata in Vlčí Hora near Krásná Lípa in the Děčín District. Organized tourists receive discounts at both facilities through the KČT Eurobeds discount card. The club also maintains three display cases in the town and operates its own website. KČT Česká Lípa has received several awards from the national KČT leadership, including a Diploma with Medal for former chairwoman Anna Machová in 2000 and an Honorable Recognition for organizing the 2005 national event "Za posledním puchýřem" (For the Last Blister). In 2014 the branch leadership received the prestigious "Poděkování starostky 2014" (Mayor's Thanks 2014). The club remains an active part of the Czech hiking community, organizing events and maintaining facilities for tourists in the Česká Lípa region.

The history of organized tourism in Česká Lípa begins in the predominantly German-speaking town with the German Excursions Club, founded in 1878, which later also engaged in museum work and local history in northern Bohemia. Around the same time, mountain and alpine associations emerged in the Lusatian Mountains, especially in the neighboring Děčín and Nový Bor areas, and their network under the DÖAV gradually spread inland. The Czech chapter of the story starts in 1928, when Bohumil Kinský founded a branch of the Klub československých turistů (KČST) in Česká Lípa. In the same year he also founded the small Czech Museum Society in the town; both organizations relied on the activities of the National Unity of North Bohemia (Národní jednota severočeská). From 1933, a Lusatian-Jizera County (Lužicko-jizerská župa) of the KČST existed in northern Bohemia. After World War II, the club continued under changing umbrella structures. In 1957 the branch was incorporated into TJ Nářadí Česká Lípa, and in 1973 it was transferred under TJ Lokomotiva Česká Lípa. It regained independence under the renewed national Klub českých turistů in 1993. The branch has been led by a series of chairmen: Bohumil Kinský (1928–1938, 1945–1956), Jaroslav Venuš (1956–1967), Karel Prouza (1967–1971), Jan Mečíř (1973–1991), Anna Machová (1991–2006), and Čestmír Povolný (since 2006). In terms of activities, the branch compiles an annual calendar of events, typically containing 50 to 200 items. These include one-day and multi-day hiking trips in the Czech Republic and abroad, events for various types of tourism (walking, skiing, cycling, motorcycle touring), and social events such as lectures with screenings, meetings and training sessions. Participation is open to the general public. Some important events, such as the hike "S Adélou Českolipskem," are published in both the regional and national KČT calendars. The branch also organizes participation in events of other branches and national gatherings. In 1998 the branch had badges made and published a booklet – a record book for the Regional Tourist Badge of Českolipsko (Oblastní turistický odznak Českolipsko), containing tips for 72 places suitable for tourists to visit and the rules for earning the badge. On 17–18 November 2005, the Česká Lípa tourists organized the 34th annual national event "Za posledním puchýřem" (For the Last Blister). The club maintains two bases. In Česká Lípa at Děčínská 1414 it owns the Turistická ubytovna Adéla, where the club meets and has its base, and which also serves year-round as a tourist hostel. The second base is the Turistická ubytovna Českolipská chata in Vlčí Hora near Krásná Lípa in the Děčín District. Both facilities offer discounts to organized tourists (see the KČT Eurobeds discount card). For promotion, the club maintains three display cases in the town: at the entrance in front of Villa Adéla, at the main railway station in Bulharská Street (called Nádražní until 1948), and at the Česká Lípa – Střelnice railway station. It also has its own website. In 2013 the club organized an exhibition called "Turistický kaleidoskop" (Tourist Kaleidoscope) in the premises of Lipý Castle, mapping the development of tourism in the entire district on dozens of panels; the exhibition lasted throughout the summer. KČT Česká Lípa is part of the Liberecká oblast KČT (one of 14 regional areas in the Czech Republic), which was created after reorganization effective 1 January 2003. It has representation on the area's executive committee and sections. Before the creation of the Liberec Area (formerly called Ještědská), it belonged to the now-defunct Labsko–Lužická oblast KČT. The club has received several awards. In February 2000, the Program Council of the KČT Central Committee approved the granting of public recognition of the 2nd degree – a Diploma with Medal – to the then chairwoman Anna Machová. Six years later, for the event "Za posledním puchýřem" in Česká Lípa 2005, the branch received a higher award – an Honorable Recognition (Čestné uznání). In April 2008, the KČT headquarters awarded diplomas with medals to other tourists: Milan Zavadil, Pavel Vejtruba, Karel Kutík, Antonín Kaprál, Jaroslava Švehlová, Karel Chocholouš, the Hašek couple, the Dobrovolný couple, and Karla Blažková. At the same time, it awarded an Honorable Recognition to Mrs. Hana Polesná. In June 2014, the branch leadership received the prestigious award "Poděkování starostky 2014" (Mayor's Thanks 2014). Other tourist associations in the town include three youth hiking groups linked to both KČT and the TOM Association: TOM Chippewa, TOM Dakoti and TOM Děti lesů. There is also registered KČT club 107 031 Ovýt Česká Lípa. Several clubs and TOM groups operate in other towns of the Česká Lípa district – Nový Bor, Stráž pod Ralskem and Kamenický Šenov. The number of hiking groups and clubs in the district has been declining since 1990.

• 2014

  Branch leadership receives the 'Poděkování starostky 2014' (Mayor's Thanks 2014) award.

• 2013

  Branch organizes the 'Turistický kaleidoskop' exhibition at Lipý Castle, mapping tourism development in the district.

• 2008

  KČT headquarters awards diplomas with medals to several branch members and an Honorable Recognition to Hana Polesná.

• 2006

  Branch receives Honorable Recognition for organizing the 2005 national event; Čestmír Povolný becomes chairman.

• 2005

  Branch organizes the 34th annual national event 'Za posledním puchýřem' on 17–18 November.

• 2003

  Liberecká oblast KČT created after reorganization effective 1 January; branch becomes part of it.

• 2000

  Program Council of KČT Central Committee approves a Diploma with Medal for chairwoman Anna Machová.

• 1998

  Branch issues badges and publishes a booklet for the Regional Tourist Badge of Českolipsko with tips for 72 places.

• 1993

  Branch becomes independent under the renewed national Klub českých turistů.

• 1973

  Branch transferred under TJ Lokomotiva Česká Lípa.

• 1957

  Branch incorporated into TJ Nářadí Česká Lípa.

• 1933

  Lužicko-jizerská župa KČST established in northern Bohemia.

• 1928

  Bohumil Kinský founds a branch of the Klub československých turistů (KČST) in Česká Lípa.

• 1878

  German Excursions Club founded in Česká Lípa, the earliest tourism association in the town.

A local branch of the national Czech Hiking Club (KČT) providing organized hiking, tourism and social activities for members and the public in the Česká Lípa region.

• S Adélou Českolipskem

  A major hike organized by the branch, listed in both regional and national KČT calendars.

• Za posledním puchýřem

  National event organized by the branch in 2005 (34th annual edition).

• Oblastní turistický odznak Českolipsko

  Badge and record booklet with tips for 72 places, issued in 1998.

• Turistická ubytovna Adéla

  Club base and year-round tourist hostel at Děčínská 1414, Česká Lípa.

• Turistická ubytovna Českolipská chata

  Second club base in Vlčí Hora near Krásná Lípa, Děčín District.

• Turistický kaleidoskop

1. 1KČT Česká Lípa – Klub českých turistů, odbor Česká Lípa.kct-ceskalipa.cz
2. 2KČT Česká Lípawikidata.org
3. 3KČT Česká Lípacs.wikipedia.org