Riedlova vila Villa

Welcome to Desná, in the picturesque corner of the Jizera Mountains, where history combines itself with the wild beauty of nature. Right now, you're facing one of the most important structures in this region. In front of you is Riedlova vila, a house that carries stories of ancient times, the wealth of glass masters and transformations brought by the stormy twentieth century. Before we go on a journey together in the past, stop for a moment and just watch. Feel the nobility and serenity radiating from this building. The villa is settled in a vast garden that surrounds it like a green cloak and separates it from the outside world. This space was not chosen by chance. Every stone and every tree here has its place and its meaning.

Let us now move back in time, until the country began to change under the hands of hardworking people. The year is a thousand eight hundred and ninety-five. That's the year this building saw the light of day. But before this magnificent villa grew up here, this place looked completely different. Where you now see the foundations of this house, there used to be a water bath. You were founded by Dr. Josef Schindler, a man who believed in the healing power of pure mountain water. Imagine the atmosphere of the late nineteenth century when people came from far away to draw power in cold springs and calm forests. Dr. Schindler was a pioneer and his spa was announced. But times have changed, and with them the needs of the region.

Instead of the spa, he decided to build his mansion a man whose name was at that time not only in the Jizera Mountains, but in the whole glass world. It was Josef Riedel mladší. The Riedles family was a real dynasty. They often were called glass kings of the Jizera Mountains. Josef Riedel mladší wanted to build a house that corresponded to its position, success and wealth, which his family gained thanks to hard work and skill in glass production. He chose an architect named Arwed Thamerus to realize his intention. Together they created a work that we admire today.

Now pay attention to the construction itself and its appearance. Look carefully at the front of the villa. What do you see? It's a masterful combination of different influences. The whole building is built in an Art Nouveau style that was at the height of its glory at that time. The Art Nouveau brought new shapes, decorating and trying to match nature into architecture. But notice something else. Architect Thamerus added elements that are typical of the northern part of Italy. This combination gives the villa an unrepeatable character. It's like you've brought a piece of the sunny south into the rough but beautiful environment of our mountains. Look at the shape of the windows, the layout of the facade and the overall balance of the construction. Every detail has been carefully thought out so that the villa is proud but naturally fits into the surrounding garden.

The villa was not just a building, it was a symbol of the power and influence of the Riedles family. Josef Riedel mladší lived here with his family and from there he managed his extensive business. His father, Josef Riedel starší, was the one who laid the foundations for this wealth, but it was his son who had this mansion built as a monument to their success. Imagine the nights when the lights were on in the windows, and inside, the elite of the company was meeting. We discussed trade, new technologies in glass, but also politics and culture. The villa was the heart of social life in Desná.

But history can be fickle. One thousand nine hundred forty-five marked a major turning point for the villa and the Riedl family. After the end of World War II, there were great social changes. Based on the events at the time, the Riedles' villa was confiscated. The property they have built for generations has gone into the hands of the state and then into the property of the city of Desná. The family who gave this country work and fame had to leave their mansion. It's a sad chapter in the history of this house that reminds us how quickly the fate of humans and buildings can change under the pressure of history.

Maybe you're wondering what happened next with the villa. Unlike many other historical objects that were lost after the war, Riedlova vila was lucky. The city of Desná realized the value of this monument and tried to find meaningful use for it. The family estate has become a place open to the public. Today there is a cultural and information centre. Today, exhibitions, concerts and meetings of citizens are held where glass magnates once made deals. The villa became the real heart of the village, a place where people meet and culture still flourishes.

An interesting thing you should not overlook is the connection to Dr. Schindler's water-treatment spa. It's fascinating to realize that under the foundation of this Art Nouveau pearl, we still have the legacy of the old baths. The water that once treated the sick may still flow deep into the ground beneath your feet. This change of location from a medical institution to a luxury residence and finally to a cultural stand is proof of the continuous cycle of life. The villa has layers of time in it that we can uncover as pages in the book.

Before you take another tour or walk through a large garden, look at the total silhouette of the villa against the sky. Feel her shape changing by the way the light hits them. It's a building that has a soul. It is a monument to the time when great things were born in the Jizera Mountains, when glass from this region was conquering the world and people had the courage to build houses that would survive them for many decades.

Now let's move on slowly. You can walk along the paths in the garden, which belongs to the villa inseparably. Feel the calm of this place and let the atmosphere of the old times take on you. Riedlova vila stands here as a silent witness to the past, but also as a living part of the presence of the city of Desná. It's a place that deserves our respect and admiration.

Thank you for listening to this story. I hope that this information has helped you to better understand the importance and beauty of the place you are currently at. Don't forget to look into the inner spaces as long as they are currently accessible, and soak up the atmosphere that has been kept inside. I wish you a pleasant rest of your visit to Desná and many other beautiful experiences while exploring the history of our region. Goodbye.