Velké Hamry

Velké Hamry (Großhammer, Groß Hammer) is a town in Jablonec nad Nisou District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 2,700 inhabitants.

Administrative parts
The village of Bohdalovice is an administrative part of Velké Hamry.

Etymology
The town's name literally means "big hammer mills" and refers to hammer mills, which stood here probably in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Geography
Velké Hamry is located about 10 km east of Jablonec nad Nisou. It lies in the Jizera Mountains. The highest point is the mountain Pustina at 831 m above sea level. The Kamenice River flows through the town.

History
In the area there were two hamlets called Dolení ("Lower") and Hoření ("Upper") Hamr. In 1914, the two hamlets were merged and created a new municipality named Velké Hamry. In 1926, it was promoted to a market town. In 1926, Bohdalovice and Svárov joined Velké Hamry. In 1968, Velké Hamry became a town.

Transport
The I/10 road from Turnov to the Czech-Polish border in Harrachov passes through the town.

Velké Hamry is located on the railway line Železný Brod–Tanvald.

Sights
The main landmark of Velké Hamry is the Church of Saint Wenceslaus. It was built in the neo-Gothic style in 1915–1925.