In May 2023, we spend a week in the castle Staniszów near Jelenia Góra and go for excursions.

 

The Zackenbahn

Now we take the Zackenbahn. Reopened in 2010, the Zackenbahn crosses the Riesengebirge (Karkonosze) connecting Poland (Jelenia Góra) with the Czech Republic (Kořenov and farther). 

Up to the highest point Jakuszycke, the train follows the river Kamiena. In German times, the Kamiena was called “Zacke”. Hence the name “Zackenbahn”.

At the train station of Jelenia Góra (Hirschberg, “Deer Mountain”), this cheerful animal wishes us a good ride on the Zackenbahn. 

 

At Kořenov 

After having crossed the Riesengebirge, this somewhat lonely train station welcomes us at Kořenov …

… with charming children’s drawings.

We find a small restaurant, where we have a drink.

 

Back to Poland and Szklarska Poręba Górni

After having recovered in the restaurant of Kořenov , we take the modern Regio Spider… 

… to return to Poland….

… reaching the highest point of 882m at Jakuszyce (Jakobstal). From the Schienenradler, I learn that this is a popular area for cross country skiing.

At Szklarska Poręba Górni (Oberschreiberhau), we have to change trains. From the Czech “Regio Spider” to the Silesian Polish train ” Koleje Dolnośląskie” . 

 

The old train station of Szklarska Poręba Górni has been beautifully renovated (2021).

 

The history of the Zackenbahn – from connecting Germany with Austria to connecting the Czech Republic with Poland

Photos at the train station of Szklarska Poręba Górni tell us about the history of the Zackenbahn.

The Zackenbahn was inaugurated in 1902. At that time, it connected German Prussia (Schlesien, Hirschberg) with Austria (Böhmen, Bad Wurzelsdorf, and farther).

The construction was an engineering achievement, requiring tunnels and trenches. The signal post in the Moltkefels Einschnitt (cut) controlled the entrance to Niederschreiberhau (Szklarska Poręba Dolna). It was the highest signal post of Germany.

In 1927, the Zackenbahn celebrated its 25th anniversary. At that time, it connected Czechoslovakia with Germany (Prussia, Silesia). The train had been electrified. 

It was in the 1920’a that my grandfather spent his vacation at Niederschreiberhau and painted the “Kirchberg mit dem Reifträger” (my blog tells about that). 

At the train station of Oberschreiberhau, there was even a cinema. It has been reopened now.

After 1945, Silesia no longer belonged to Germany. It was integrated to Poland. The train connection at the border of Czechoslovakia and Poland was eliminated and remained closed until 2010. 

In 2010, the connection across the border was reopened, now connecting Poland (Jelenia Góra) and the Czech Republic (Kořenov; this relates to the German name “Wurzeldorf”, kořen=Wurzel).  The train is now popular, “our” train was fully occupied. 

In 2022, the Zackenbahn celebrated 120 lat – or 120 years, as the photos at the station of Szklarska Poręba Górni tell us.

 

Back to Jelenia Góra

We wait at the carefully restored station of Szklarska Poręba Górni to take the train along the Zacke back to Jelenia Góra. 

Shortly before reaching the train station of Jelenia Góra, we cross the river Bober (Bobra) (seen from below).

What an engineering achievement, what a beautiful landscape, what a exceptional story. And how good to see that Polish Silesia takes care of the German heritage.

Take a ride with the Zackenbahn by watching this charming video published by German TV (SWR) under the title of “Eisenbahnromantik”: https://www.ardmediathek.de/video/eisenbahn-romantik/die-zackenbahn-von-tschechien-nach-polen-ein-zug-verbindet/swr/Y3JpZDovL3N3ci5kZS9hZXgvbzE3MzY2MzU.

 

Sources:

• SWR Eisenbahnromantik: https://www.ardmediathek.de/video/eisenbahn-romantik/die-zackenbahn-von-tschechien-nach-polen-ein-zug-verbindet/swr/Y3JpZDovL3N3ci5kZS9hZXgvbzE3MzY2MzU
• Schienenradler https://schienenradler.wordpress.com/2019/04/12/renaissance-der-zackenbahn-eine-tschechisch-polnische-erfolgsgeschichte/
• Wikipedia entry about the Zackenbahn https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahnstrecke_Jelenia_G%C3%B3ra%E2%80%93Ko%C5%99enov
• Silesia news 28.04.2021 https://www.silesia-news.de/2021/04/28/in-den-sudeten-werden-bahnlinien-und-bahnhoefe-revitalisiert/