This city standing on the foundations of an original Slavic trading settlement, which obtained the status of a city in 1592, had already been permitted since 1519 to hold markets. Throughout history, the main economic activity here involved weaving and mining iron ore. At the start of the 20th century, the existing electrified rail line was extended into Sklářská Poruba, the so-called Zackenbahn, and up to Bohemian Kořenov, where it linked to the Tanwald cog railway. Excursion destinations include the remains of the city fortifications, the castle ruin Chojnik, the Minor Basilica of Saints Erasmus and Pancras or the 18th-century Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church.