The town of Smetana's opera The Secret and gate to Mácha's countrythese features are attributed to Bělá pod Bezdězem, a township abounding with green, embraced by deep forests and liked for its swimmingpool. It is the forests, clean air and fresh water gurgling out of several natural springs what made the place a sought for summer holiday destination. But there is also a lot to report on Bělá's history. The municipality on the banks of the Bělá brook inherited freedoms of a city from another town which, lying on the foot of the Bezděz hill, suffered from a desolating water shortage. The transfer took place with the royal consent of His Majesty King Wenceslas II in 1304. As soon as the build-up was completed, town walls included, in 1337, the privileges were confirmed by a deed of the bailee Hynek Berka of Dubá and Lipá which, preserved till date, gave the place the name of Nový (or, New) Bezděz. The new Augustinian Monastery of 1345 predestined the place to become a centre of culture, too. But the promising development of crafts and trade came to a sudden stop under King Wenceslas IV. Bělá was then acquired by the Lords of Michalovice from the Crown. During the Hussite wars, Bělá was twice severely besieged and belonged alternately to one or the other warring party-King Sigismund's loyals and to the Prague Hussites (Sirotci). Other important owners were the Berkas of Dubá. The confiscated property of Bohuchval Berka was purchased by Albrecht of Wallenstein in 1622. He imposed a considerable tax burden on the town. After Wallenstein's assassination, margrave Caretto-Millesimo became new owner to pass Bělá on Arnošt of Wallenstein in 1678. The Wallensteins then held Bělá until 1848. Bělá suffered heavily from Swedish attacks and plague during the 30-Year War and was almost consumed by the 1635 fire. But the Wallenstein rule of the l8th century brought some restoration to the crafts, especially to weavers and drapers. A manufactory was founded in the château of Bělá in 1765 where mainly children were employed, the 1696 founded paper mill flourished and a new textile manufactory was established. Besides, Bělá became the seat of the Assembly of the County and the District Court in 1855 and a school of forestry was founded, but transferred to Zákup later (1904.) Larger districts were formed after World War I and the crisis of the 1930s killed the textile factory. When Bohemian frontiers were annexed by Germany in 1938, Bělá found itself suddenly on the periphery of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. Happy times were over for the time being. Today's Bělá pod Bezdězem is a town with agro-industrial economy-with a paper production and the tar- paper, metal-working and wood-working industries, a ready-made clothes factory and a glass work producing cut glass products. Private businesses are in bloom once again. Bělá is also an important holiday centre with many historic architectural sights to admire. You can see what remained of the town walls with the Bohemian Gate, the château and the regional museum in it; the Elevation of the Rood Church and the St Wenceslas's Church and monastery; a square with unique park; the "Guard!" Memorial by Mařatka; and the memorial of poet Karel Hynek Mácha on the nearby hill of Horka. The history of Smetana's opera The Secret as well as the lives of some outstanding celebrities are linked with the town-Emanuel Purkyně, the founder of meteorology; poet Vladimír Holan spent his young years in Bělá; Miloslav Disman and actor Václav Trégl were born here. Bělá pod Bezdězem and the countryside around are one of Czechia's lovely corners.

The square park where open-air concerts are held

The château which harbours the regional museum

The 'Guard!' Memorial in the square park

The Town Hall - traditional seat of the Magistrate throughout centuries