Protected landscape area of Bohemian Paradise
Protected landscape area of Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) is considered a unique region with extraordinary aesthetic value. A harmonic unity is created by its rock cities, extinct volcanoes, and other natural wonders, among which people found no difficulty in integrating ponds, building castles and châteaux and founding picturesque villages and towns. All of this creates a one-of-a-kind tourist attraction.
Bohemian Paradise is the country's oldest protected region, having been declared as such in 1955. The area of the protected region was doubled in 2002.
Nature
Hruboskalsko - The Hruboskalske rock town
Without any doubts one of the most well-known czech rock towns which is characterized by impressive towers reaching the height of up to 60 m and by steep canyons leading from rock edges to deep romantic valleys. The most frequently visited places include Mariánská vyhlídka (Mary's Viewpoint), the viewpoint U Lvíčka (At the Lion), and Janova vyhlídka (John's Viewpoint). People gave names to individual rock groups and formations and there are plenty of tales and stories connected with them.
Distance: 3 km
More information: hruboskalsko.czech-mountains.eu
Prachovske skaly (Prachov rocks)
The famous rock town was created through eroding of the originally compact table of rectangularly shaped sandstones of the upper Cretaceous. It is a real paradise for rock climbers and tourists. There are many tourist paths leading through the sandstone rocks and to beautiful viewpoints.
Distance: 23 km
More information: prachovske-rocks.czech-mountains.eu
Prihrazske skaly (Prihrazske rocks) - Drabske svetnicky
The sandstone rocks with the ruin of very old rock castle with beautiful viewpoints. It's a popular tourist place for nice walk.
Distance: 13 km
More information: wikipedia.org
Castles, Châteaus
Kost castle
Originated after 1371; its builder was probably Benes of Wartenberg. The Castle is dominated by the angular White Tower, five storeys high, the south-eastern part pointing towards the Plakánek valley. The tower is a part of the battlements erected from stone blocks.
Distance: 10 km
More information: kinskycastles.com
Trosky castle
The original castle was built on two volcanic tops by Čeněk of Vartenberk in the 14th century. The castle ruins are a characteristic dominant feature of the region and one of the symbols of the Bohemian Paradise. The remains of two towers watch over the surrounding countryside. These are known as "the Old Hage" (Baba) and "the Virgin" (Panna). The beautiful viewpoints on both towers are open to the public.
Distance: 15 km
More information: wikipedia.org
Valdstejn castle
The Valdštejn castle lies in the heart of the Bohemian Paradise, in the region of beautiful rocks. Valdštejn, considered to be the oldest castle in the Bohemian Paradise, was established approximately around 1260 by Jaroslav of Hruštice from the Markvartic family who were the ancestors of the lords of Valdštejn.
Distance: 3 km
More information: hrad-valdstejn.cz
Hruba Skala château
On the site of the original castle from the 14th century, built on a monumentally high cliff, stands the Hruba Skala château with romantic church, from which a connecting bridge with Baroque statues leads to the château. The château is a hotel today, but visitors may enter the courtyard and the tower with its unique view of the surrounding rock scenery and the ruins of Trosky Castle, the most prominent landmark of Bohemian Paradise.
Distance: 3 km
More information: hrubaskala.cz
Vranov castle - Pantheon
A rock castle founded in the early 15th century, deserted in the 16th century. The castle complex adapted in the 19th century into a Romantic Pantheon. In front of the castle a summer residence in the form of a chapel built in 1826. Probably the biggest and the most complicated rock castle in the Czech Republic.
Distance: 15 km
More information: vranov-pantheon.org
Frydstejn castle
Major dominant of the castle is a large castle tower built up on the highest rock in order to watch around surroundings. A special attention should be paid to a small room carved out south from the main tower where a niche in the wall indicates a former chapel and this room as referred to 1691 was used even long after being left.
Distance: 15 km
More information: frydstejn.cz
Hruby Rohozec château
Originally an Early Gothic castle founded in about 1280, it was built as an inaccessible seat of noblemen, not far from an important trade route leading through the Jizera region. Today's appearance of the castle results from several large reconstructions, none of which suppressed the former architectural elements of the building. The outcome of the building Dining-room. development, lasting seven centuries, is a harmonic unity with significant features of reconstructions from the periods of Late Gothic from the years 1509 - 1516, late Renaissance from the beginning of the 17th century and Empire from 1822.
Distance: 5 km
More information: hruby-rohozec.eu
Sychrov château
Enjoy the neo-Gothic interiors, Rohan Gallery – a collection of French portrait painting art, the largest in Central Europe, English-style park with exotic wood species. Castle Restaurant – possibility of lunching there.
Distance: 15 km
More information: wikipedia.org
Other Attractions
Kopicuv statek (Kopic estate) - Kacanovy
The picturesque timbered house - a nice example of folk architecture of the Jizera basin - is a secluded dwelling in the woods above the village Kacanovy. There are relieves with motifs from Czech history carved out a little below - in the sandstone cliff zone; it is a work of patriotic Vojtěch Kopic, a former owner of the estate.
Distance: 2 km
More information: cesky-raj.info
Turnov Museum
Since the year 1886, the Turnov Museum has been collecting documents about the cultural and historical development of the region and the town. Rich collections comprise archaeology, ethnology, mineralogy, history, arts and archives materials. What makes the Turnov Museum go beyond the ranks of other regional national historical and geographical museums is its specialization in documentation, working and collection of precious stones.
Distance: 5 km
More information: muzeum-turnov.cz
Skoda Auto Museum - Mlada Boleslav
There are only four car makers in the whole world able to boast of a century-long history of uninterrupted exchange of information, know-how, experience, development, and production. Škoda is one of them – join us to get the feel of history. Three sections of exhibits – 100 Years of Škoda Auto, Gallery of Engines and Slavia Exhibition – map the successful journey of the Czech industry from 1895 to date. Individual exhibits are multimedia supported – join the play.
Distance: 30 km (motorway)
More information: skoda-auto.com