Píbor

Píbor is a small settlement situated in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic, lying northeast of the city of Liberec. The village is part of the municipality of Strachovice and lies in a valley surrounded by low-lying hills of the Jizera Mountains. The area is approximately 580 metres above sea level and is located along the edge of the Újezd basin, historically known for its lignite deposits.

The earliest references to Píbor date from the 18th century, when the site was identified as a potential source of brown coal. In 1917 the Czech state opened a large lignite mine on the site, operating under the administration of the Ministry of Industry. Production peaked in the 1970s, supplying electricity to the northern industrial zone and generating employment for over two hundred residents. The mine ceased operations in 1996 after the lignite reserves were extensively depleted and environmental concerns rose.

Following the mine’s closure, the land underwent a series of remediation and land‑reclamation works. Large water reservoirs were created to support local ecosystems and recreation, and parts of the former pit have been converted into an educational trail. The site features a small mining museum displaying tools and photographs that document the mining era, while surrounding meadows have become habitats for diverse flora and fauna.

Today Píbor remains a quiet residential community with a population of roughly 250 people. It is governed as part of the Strachovice municipal authority, which provides local infrastructure and services. Despite its modest size, Píbor continues to be noted for the successful transition from an industrial mining center to an area of environmental and cultural interest.