Bohemian Paradise

Český Ráj contains a lot of scenic corners, e.g. Hrubá Skála, Sedmihorky and Malá Skála. In 1954 Český ráj was announced to be the first protected nature zone in our country. It is abundant in many picturesque valleys, romantic rock formations, folk architecture buildings, churches, castles and chateaus, botanic attractions and rare minerals. Accommodation in Český Ráj can be also arranged in the chateau premises. Trosky Castle with two towers at the volcanic basalt rocks is considered as a dominant of Český Ráj. Český Ráj was for the fist time used in seventies of the 19th century by spa guests in Sedmihorky close to Turnov, who surely considered this region as the most beautiful place of the Czech Republic. When wandering Český Ráj by walk or by bike through Hrubá Skála rock town, Klokočské skály and Suché skály (Rough Rock, Klokoč rocks and Dry rocks) you will come across Frýdštejn castle, chateau of Hrubý Rohozec and Hrubá Skála or you can swim in the ponds called Věžák, Nebák, Bažantník (Tower Pond, Sky Pond, Pheasant Pond) or in Jizera River at Malá Skála (Small Rock).

Being in Turnov you should not forget to visit Okresní museum Českého Ráje (District Museum of Český Ráj) where you can see apart from other things the mineralogical exposition. There is exposition of craft tools at the Dlask farm in Dolánky.

The biggest attraction of Český Ráj is sandstone rock town of different character and different phases of development. It gives this territory high esthetical and scientific value together with the richness of other different morphological shapes.

Sobotka – chateau Humprecht

Early baroque, originally hunting chateau Humprecht is from second half of 16th century when Jan Černín of Chudenice had it built, the design was made by architect Carlo Lurago. After the fire in 1678 the building was raised and modified. There is a forest park, formerly game preserve. You can see here the historical interiors with the mural paintings, banqueting hall with excellent acoustic and the separate lounges for men and ladies. Museum of Sobotka area has a gallery in the tower, view from the wooden ambit. At the roof’s peak there is a half moon located.

Jičín

Jičín was established in the region of Český ráj, originally as the wooden town and only Albrecht of Valdštejn had it rebuilt into the stone form at the beginning of the 17th century. He had the early baroque chateau constructed according to the ambitious project of Italian architects, a summer house with loggia, a new decanal church and a complex of Jesuit buildings. The considerable dominant of the town is created by Valdická brána (Valdice gate). Today’s post-Modern Classical face of the town and the chateau comes from time after fire in 1768. Nowadays Jičín presents itself among other things as the town of fairy-tale because in the neighbourhood of the town a fairy person “highwayman “Rumcajs” used to live and writer Václav Čtvrtek, creator of Rumcajs, lived in the town.

Prachovské skály (Prachovské rocks)

Prachovské skály is the most frequented area in the vicinity of Jičín. It is a sandstone rock town at the eastern border of Český Ráj, located in woody terrain. It is not large but abundant in rock formations with prehistoric discoveries, valued by tourists and rock climbers and it is protected as nature preserve. Numerous ravines, gullets, dingles, views, solitary sandstone towers, points and also group rock blocks create from Prachovské rocks a significant object of tourism. The most interesting rock sceneries are easily accessible through safe roads, marked with sings for tourists and a lot of gorgeous panoramas allow the perfect overview of the area of Prachovské rocks. Prachovské rocks has been protected as the state nature preserve since 1933.

Kozákov

Kozákov Hill is the most noticeable dominant of the northern part of Český Ráj thanks its height above sea level of 744, 1 m and a vertical distance from the surroundings (almost 450 m from the level of Jizera River). It is the highest mountain of Krkonoše foothills. Kozákov is also the most significant locality from the point of view of culture and history; a lot of legends are connected with it, particularly thanks to the occurrence of gemstones which had been collected and processed here since from the late Stone Age. The preserved territory is located at the west slope of Kozákov Hill, its extent is 162, 8 ha and it was announced in 1985.

Železný Brod

The town can show of the old curb buildings (from1754), which belong to the archicetural treasures of the upper part of Jizera River area. Also the wooden bell tower from 1761 is worth the attention, with the bell from 1497, two sandstone fountains with baroque sculpture of Mary and a wonderful town sign (1827 and 1828) and the largest curb building from 1807, so called “Běliště” where the Museum has its ethnographic exposition. You can see here the old classroom, cobbler’s corner, guild articles, bakery and ginger bread production, flax industry tools, home weaver’s room, parts of clothes from last century and also in the attic there are rustic wooden crèches and the unique wooden models of citizens’ houses.

Bozkov

The first written report about Bozkov municipality comes from 1356. The monks from Hradiště upon Jizera monastery found here Mary’s parish in this year. At the end of the 14th century Bozkov belonged to Valdštejn family and the other significant owners were Smiřičtí family from Smiřice and since 1622 even Albrecht of Valdštejn himself. Bozkov dolomite caves are situated at the northern slope of Bozkov municipality. The entrance into underground was discovered by the workers during dolomite mining in forties of last century but only in 1957 the underground system of crevasse tunnels, partially flooded with water. Bozkov dolomite caves are created by a labyrinth of underground tunnels and cavities, placed not too deep under the earth’s surface. The attractive variegations of the visitors´ tour are underground small lakes with clear blue and green water. Bozkov dolomite caves are the only accessible caves in the North of Bohemia.

Malá Skála (Small Rock)

Hardly any region of our republic was given so many nature beauties and culture richness as a small territory in the North of Bohemia, which is called Czech Eden. Similarly to Jičín which is being called Gate of Czech Eden and Turnov is heart of it, Malá Skála is rightly considered a real pearl. Malá Skála is situated in the picturesque valley at both the banks of Jizera river with its typical dominants of Pantheon and Suché skály (Dry rocks), in the middle of wild nature, full of bizarre rocky towns, as if they are symbolically guarded by a tube-shaped tower of Frýdštejn castle, reminding the era of the ancient knightly glory. Malá Skála is definitely worth seeing.

Turnov

Town of Turnov was established in the middle of 13th century by Jaroslav and Havel from family Markvartic, at the spur above Jizera River. The prominent Czech families, Vartenberk and Smiřičtí became the later lords of the town. Turnov was often afflicted by military invasions. In 1468 it was burned down by crusaders from Lužice and in 1643 by Swedes. The town was also jeopardized by a big fire in 1707. In spite of all the disasters the crafts were developing here quickly. First glass factories for manufacture of “burnt glass composition” (paste jewels made from glass) l were established here already in the 17th century. Number of glass grinding shops worked here in the 16th century. They processed and grinded local and imported gemstones. Jewels business boomed particularly in 18th and 19th centuries, when they were exported worldwide. Tradition of jewellery manufacturing has been developing in Turnov up to the present time. There is also secondary school of art and industry here for processing of stone, metal and jewel manufacturing, which was established already in 1884, being the first in Europe. Nowadays Turnov is a tourist centre of Český Ráj. It is an ideal starting point for wandering through the areas of Hrubá Skála, Malá Skála and Klokočké skály, (Rough Rock, Small Rock and Klokoč rock). There is also the Administration of nature reserve Český Ráj located here.

Rovensko pod Troskami (Rovensko bellow Trosky)

Rovensko pod Troskami is located in the very centre of Czech Eden, which is one of the most lovely and beautiful parts of the Czech Republic. The most important historical sight of the town is old-time bell tower, with three unique bells. When the bells are in standstill, their clappers are facing upwards and they are put into movement by pedalling. The bells are often called as “rebellious” as they signalled the first jacquerie in this region against the church and landed gentry in the period of forced converting people to Catholicism. Rovensko Cathedral of Saint Wenceslaus in Týn is one of the most significant gothic architecture of the northern Bohemia and it has remarkably valuable medieval stone decoration.

Trosky (Ruins)

The first reference to the castle comes from 1396. Čeněk of Vartemberk has the castle built to secure his land in the area of Jičín. The castle took the full advantage of the nature terrain. On the steep basalt rocks two towers were built. One of them is called “Virgin“, it is located on the higher peak (60 meters high) and is square-built. The pentagon tower called Baba stands at the lower peak (50 m). The heart of the castle was mostly wooden and it was formed by palaces. The building material was mainly basalt, sandstone and wood. Trosky was newly discovered in period of romanticism at the beginning of the 19th century. The romantic and mysterious wreck was more and more often the destination of poets, writers, patriotic fans and admirers of the ancient Czech past times. Trosky and Český Ráj were provided also the painters plentiful art themes. Trosky has remained up to now the most striking dominant of Český Ráj, emblazoned with legends and myths and being visited by great numbers of visitors from the whole world.

Dětěnice

Renaissance chateau from the end of the 16th century, built by Bohuslav Křinecký of Ronov, rebuilt in 1762-1765 to late baroque style. It has a specious English park. There is a former fountain in front of the chateau with the sculptural of Centaur and nymph by F. Rous (about 1860) and sculpture group from 18th and 19th century around the chateau. There are historical interiors, collection of baroque pictures, period furniture and accessories and well-preserved tiled stove. In several rooms there are well-preserved original rococo ceilings with rich stucco and paint decorations. There is also museum of brewing industry showing the untraditional methods of beer production in the Middle Ages, tasting included.

Photographs Bohemian Paradise