An attractive exhibition at the National Technical Museum in Prague is dedicated to one of the legends of the motorcycle world.

PRAGUE - The National Technical Museum has opened a unique exhibition dedicated to one of motorcycle legends, known as Čechie-Böhmerland, to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of production of these motorcycles.

These exceptional machines, considered the longest mass-produced motorcycles in the world, were manufactured from 1925 in the town of Krásná Lípa, in northern Bohemia, under the direction of designer Albín Liebisch. The exhibition, which will appeal to motorcycle enthusiasts and others, offers a comprehensive overview of all the models produced. Visitors will see three dozen Čechie–Böhmerland motorcycles, including unique replicas of prototypes that no longer exist.

Albín Liebisch's original intention was to create a family motorcycle for three to four people for travel and excursions. That's why it was so long. However, the business venture failed due to a lack of customer interest. So, he looked for an alternative, which was to offer the machines for use by the police force and, later, the army. However, a serious technical flaw prevented successful sales. Due to its length, the motorcycle's maneuverability was significantly reduced, especially when turning and on rough terrain, which was a problem for the police, who needed a vehicle with good maneuverability to transport three officers.

However, this does not diminish the fact that Albín Liebisch's unique invention and the town of Krásná Lípa in the Šluknov region are celebrating 100 years since the birth of this unique machine. Krásná Lípa, where Liebisch lived, is honoring him with an exhibition consisting of a series of information panels in the town square. A bust of the designer is also located on one of the buildings, and every year, at the end of August, an international meeting of Čechie motorcycle owners is traditionally held there, with a scenic ride through the countryside. Participants come from many countries, including Australia. This year, the 27th edition of the rally took place in Krásná Lípa as part of the Day of the Czech Switzerland celebrations. Posters are also being issued on this occasion, which have become collector's items.

From Krásná Lípa to Prague

Let's now hear from Karl Ksandro, the General Director of the National Technical Museum, who told journalists at the opening of the exhibition: "The exhibition will present visitors with thirty unique and highly valued Čechie–Böhmerland motorcycles. These machines have never been presented in such a comprehensive range and quantity."

“One notable example is a motorcycle on loan from the Dresden Museum, as it has a completely documented history. In 1935, it was purchased by a police officer from Nejdku, who was later expelled to Germany after the war, but he managed to bring his beloved Böhmerland with him. Approximately one-third of the motorcycles on display come from foreign collections. The largest number of them are from Austria, belonging to Mr. Ewald Schoissengeier. This enthusiast of Čechie–Böhmerland has recreated their missing prototypes,” added Arnošt Nezmeškal, the curator of the exhibition and director of the Museum of Transport at the NTM.

"The fundamental ambition of Albin Hugo Liebich was to create a reliable, comfortable, and safe machine for the dilapidated roads of Czechoslovakia, a machine that would allow its adventurous owner to travel from the Alps to the southern seas. The designer considered himself a technical innovator and visionary, a lone dancer, a Prometheus who gave humanity the ideal machine, and he had to endure the scorn of conservative traditionalists," explained Jan Němec, co-author of the exhibition and director of the State District Archive in Děčín.

The four-seater machine is a collector's item

Approximately 750 of these motorcycles were produced until the beginning of the war, characterized by their unusual design and appearance. Even at the time of their creation, they were rare, and over time, Čechie-Böhmerland motorcycles became highly sought-after historical vehicles. The exhibition traces the history of these motorcycles and presents all the models produced. In addition to the original preserved machines, newly restored replicas of prototypes of motorcycles from this brand, which are not preserved, are being exhibited for the first time in the Czech Republic.

"For example, the two-cylinder 750cc Sudet model, or perfect replicas of the four-seater Čechie-Böhmerland machine, which is truly the longest motorcycle in the world. The demise of the company, the expulsion of its founder to Germany, and his futile attempts to resume production in Bavaria will also be remembered. Part of the history of this brand includes the extraordinary interest of collectors in Čechie-Böhmerland machines, as well as the formation of the Čechie-Böhmerland club, which organizes annual gatherings of these motorcycles."

Did you know that...

... Albin Hugo Liebich, a Czech-German designer and entrepreneur, was born in 1888 in Rumburk and died in 1956 in Passau? He moved to Krásná Lípa with his family in 1884, where he worked in the service department of Alfred Hielle in the early 1920s. He built a prototype of his own motorcycle between 1922 and 1924. From 1925, he produced unique motorcycles for the Czech market under the name Čechie and for the German market under the name Böhmerland in his workshop in Krásná Lípa. The basic model measured 3.11 meters, as the motorcycle was intended to be an alternative to automobiles.

"Initially, he produced motorcycles of five basic types to order, and in 1931, he switched to mass production in Kunratice near Cvikov. Liebich was also the first in the world to produce cast wheels for motorcycles. His activities ended in 1939 with the occupation of the republic. The exhibition "Böhmerland or Čechie, or the Longest Motorcycle in the World" will be held from November 7, 2025, to March 22, 2026."

Ivan Černý