The town of Benátky nad Jizerou, the centre of the region along the Jizera's lower course, has been lying on the crossing of ancient merchant's trails since the early Middle Ages. First written record of Odboř, now part of the town, dates back to 1052. Benátky itself appeared some time before 1346 when the owner Jan of Dražice received the consent to found a town and monastery above the Jizera river, to be completed along with the Virgin Mary Assumption Church in 1349. The monastery ceased to exist during the Hussite Wars. The family of Lords of Dražice died out in 1385 and Benátky changed many temporary owners. Around 1526, Friedrich of Dražice, burgrave of Donín moved his seat to New Benátky and started a Renaissance château in place of the monasterial ruins. In 1599, the castle, domain and château were purchased by the Emperor Rudolf II and lent by him to the Danish astronomer Tycho de Brahe to build an observatory. It was here, that Brahe first met his colleague Johannes Kepler in 1600. Following the 30-Year War, Ferdinand III granted the château and domain to cavalry general John of Werth who added the northern wing. The 1702 completion of the low eastern wing and church tower gave the château the present looks. The park and courtyard later received sculptural decoration by Matthias Brown's and František Adámek's pupils. In the period of 1844-1847 young Fridrich Smetana worked here as a music teacher in the family of earl Leopold Felix ThunHohenstein. The last aristocratic owner was R. Kinský who sold out the furniture and the château was purchased by the town in 1920. Today's Benátky nad Jizerou unite Old and New Benátky, plus Odboř, Kbel and Dražice Nad Jizerou.