Jablunkov Pass

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Jablunkov Pass seen from the old fortifications

Jablunkov Pass seen from the southern slopes of Gírová (Girowa), looking NW

Jablunkov Pass (Czech: Jablunkovský průsmyk, Polish: Przełęcz Jabłonkowska) is a mountain pass in the Beskids, located in the elevation of 553 m above sea level, in the Czech Republic, near the border with Poland and Slovakia.

It separates the Moravian-Silesian Beskids and the Silesian Beskids. It is one of the most important transport routes in the Western Carpathians. Road from Žilina to Těšín runs here. Railway line is also located here. It was an important route from the Middle Ages, connecting Slovakia (then Hungary) with Silesia.

Archaeological researches suggest it was an important route long before the Middle Ages. Travelling caravans were frequently attacked by bandits, so some fortifications were built in the place of todays Mosty u Jablunkova. Archaeologists presume they were built in the 13th century. Importance of this trade route grew over time and in 1529 in the fear of Turkish attack, new fortifications (pl: szańce, cs: šance) were built. It played an important role during the Thirty Years' War. After war it was renovated and new larger one were built nearby by Elżbieta Lukrecja, Duchess of Cieszyn. It eventually became a station with permanent garrison. Fortifications were last time renovated in 1808. It dilapidated from that time and locals picked up its parts as a construction material. Remains of this fortifications are today a popular tourist spot.

Village of Mosty u Jablunkova lies in the pass.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Cicha, Irena; Kazimierz Jaworski, Bronisław Ondraszek, Barbara Stalmach and Jan Stalmach (2000). Olza od pramene po ujście. Český Těšín: Region Silesia. ISBN 80-238-6081-X.