Bezděz (Česká Lípa District)

Bezděz (Schloßbösig) is a municipality and village in Česká Lípa District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 300 inhabitants. It is known for the Bezděz Castle.

Etymology
The name Bezděz is derived from the personal name Bezděd (Besdeth), meaning "Bezděd's (property)".

Geography
Bezděz is located about 21 km southeast of Česká Lípa and 33 km southwest of Liberec. It lies mostly in the Ralsko Uplands, only the southeastern part of the municipal territory extends into the Jizera Table. The highest point is the hill Bezděz at 606 m above sea level. Most of the territory lies within the Kokořínsko – Máchův kraj Protected Landscape Area.

History
The first written mention of Bezděz is from 1264. In 1291 or 1293, the village was promoted to a town, but it lost its town privileges after Bělá pod Bezdězem was founded in 1304. In 1898, the village was severely damaged by fire.

Economy
There are almost no job opportunities in the municipality, most residents commute to work in nearby towns.

Transport
The I/38 road (the section which connects Mladá Boleslav with Česká Lípa) passes through the municipality.

The railway line Kolín–Rumburk briefly crosses the municipal territory. The train station Bezděz is located just outside the municipality.

Sights
Bezděz is known for the Bezděz Castle. The well-preserved ruin of the Gothic castle is one of the most important monuments of the whole region, protected as a national cultural monument.

The Church of Saint Giles dates from the end of the 13th century at the latest and has a Romanesque core. It was baroque rebuilt in 1764–1769, when the tower was added. The interior is equipped with valuable late Baroque and Rococo furniture.