Libštát

Libštát (Liebstadtl) is a market town in Semily District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 900 inhabitants.

Etymology
The name was derived from the Middle High German words liube stat, meaning 'nice place'.

Geography
Libštát is located about 32 km southeast of Liberec. It lies in the Giant Mountains Foothills. The highest point is the hill U Jeřábu at 517 m above sea level. The Oleška River flows through the market town.

History
The first written mention of Libštát is from 1322, when it was a property of Hynek of Waldstein. The village was probably founded in the 13th century by German immigrants. The Waldstein family owned Libštát until 1391. After that, less important noble families took turns in ownership. From 1525, the village was referred to as a market town.

Transport
Libštát is located on the railway line Liberec–Jaroměř.

Sights
A cultural monument is the former Evangelical prayer house. It was built in 1839–1842 and is a unique proof of renewal of the Evangelical community in the Czech lands. Next to the prayer house is a separate wooden bell tower.

A valuable three-arched stone bridge from 1822 spans the river Oleška. It is decorated with statues of St. Wenceslaus and St. John of Nepomuk, dating from 1851.