Origins – glass smelting and treasure hunting

The history of Szklarska Poreba is closely linked to the development of glassmaking, the search for precious stones and ores and, since the mid-19th century, tourism. At the end of the 13th century, the order of the Joannites from Cieplice bought the area to mine gold and precious stones. In the mid-14th century, the first glassworks were established, and later glassworks were founded by the Schaffgotsch family, owners of vast mountain areas. At that time, the Karkonosze were penetrated by the Walloons – treasure hunters from Western Europe. Their activities left traces in the form of adits, shafts and secret signs on the rocks.

“Wandering smelters” and the name of the city

The development of glassmaking required large amounts of timber, leading to intensive logging. Smelters moved deep into the mountains along the valleys of streams, and with them were established settlements of metallurgists, woodcutters and dustmen. This phenomenon influenced the name of the town – “Szklarska Poreba” refers to the shepherd settlements that gave rise to today’s town.
The current name of the town was officially approved in 1946. In subsequent years, new glassworks were established – on the Bohemian Stream in 1575, in the White Valley in 1617, in the Orle settlement in 1754, and in the valley of the Kamienna River in 1842, where the “Julia”, formerly “Josephine” glassworks operates. For hundreds of years, glassmaking was the basis of the region’s economy.

Czech emigrants and settlement development

In 1578, a group of Czech Protestants – religious emigrants – settled in the area of Szklarska Poreba. Count Schaffgotsch, known for his religious tolerance, allowed them to settle on the Silesian side of the mountains, which led to the establishment of the settlement of Marysin at the foot of Szrenica.
Among the Czech settlers a special role was played by laborers – specialists in natural medicine, who produced well-known herbal peculiarities. In the 17th and 18th centuries more settlements were established, and at the beginning of the 19th century Szklarska Poreba became one of the largest Sudetenland villages. At that time it consisted of 26 settlements and hamlets, had 336 houses, two churches, four schools, two glassworks, sixteen glass grinding plants, three mills and a sawmill.

Tourism and infrastructure development

From the mid-19th century, tourism began to develop in Szklarska Poreba. Beautiful landscapes and scenic trails attracted more and more visitors.
An important event was the construction of a road from Piechowice through the Szklarska Pass to Harrachov in 1847, followed by a railroad line from Jelenia Gora to Tanvald in 1902. Thanks to these investments, Szklarska Poreba established itself as a well-known center for tourism and winter sports. Another step in the development of tourism was the construction of the “Szrenica” cable car with a chairlift in 1962, which further increased the popularity of the town among winter sports enthusiasts.

Art colony and resort character

At the end of the 19th century, artists began arriving in Szklarska Poreba – writers, poets, painters and sculptors, creating a local art colony. Its traditions are continued by contemporary artists.
After 1945, Szklarska Poreba became one of the most popular holiday resorts in Poland. Most of the accommodation base was taken over for the Employee Holiday Fund, which contributed to the dynamic development of tourism in the region.

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