Miletin

A little town situated in the Miletín valley, northeast of Hořice. The baroque castle was reconstructed in 1609 after fire and modified in the style of the Empire in 1847. The prince Alexandr Schonburg- Hartenstein created an English park in its surroundings. There are many conifer and broadleaved trees. In front of the castle there is a gothic church of the Annunciation of Madonna from the 13th century. The prismatic two-storey tower by the church was probably used as an entry tower of the German Knights church-order house. In 1997 three bells were brought as presents from Alois Hlavatý and citizens. The original bells were damaged during the World War II. The Miletín pheasantry was proclaimed a national nature reserve. The reason for this statement was protection of the natural ecosystem typical of the region Podzvičinsko. It is also a birthplace of Karel Jaromír Erben. His native house houses a memorial centre, founded in 1811. The interior of the house includes period furniture, family heirlooms, and aquarelles to Erben's ballads made by R. Švajdler. This region is also known for its famous sweets: Miletínské modlitbičky (Miletín little prayers). www.miletin.cz, phone: 493 693 132
 

The Bohemian Paradise
Is situated nearly one hundred kilometers to the northeast from Prague. Geographically it is demarcated by a border line connecting Mnichovo Hradiště. Sychrov, the hill Kopanina, Železný Brod, Semily, Lomnice nad Popelkou, Jičín, Sobotka and Mnichovo Hradiště. This picturesque area borders on foot-hills of the Giant Mountains in the east and is marked off by the belt of the Jizera Mountains and the Giant Mountains in the north. In this romantic area, that is situated on the middle part of the river Jizera, variety of natural beauties is bound with rich historical buildings: castles, chateaus and folk architecture. Exactly that was the reason why the guests of the spa Sedmihorky started to call this area the Bohemian Paradise already in the 19th century. The extraordinary diversity of the landscape with characteristic sandstone rock towns, flora and fauna was the main reason for proclaiming the Bohemian Paradise the first protected natural area in the then republic (92 square kilometers, proclaimed in 1955). When considering the diversity of the landscape and the occurrence of preserved and endangered biological species, deep forests as well as systems of ponds on water streams and surrounding small areas of wet ground with ecological systems are of big importance. The unique diversity of the relief is also made by characteristic volcanic effusions which form the dominants of the area ( Trosky, Kozákov, Mužský, Vyskeř, and so forth). There are numerous finding places of agates, amethysts, jaspers, chalcedonies and other kinds of precious stones in the volcanic rocks. The treatment of these precious stones has been connected with the history of the city of Turnov for several centuries. Turnov has been the natural economical and cultural center of this area and nowadays it is called the heart of the Bohemian Paradise. People living in this area have been known for their craftsmanship. Even the Brussels lace-makers liked the yarn made in Jilemnice. Canvas made in the Giant Mountains and in the foothills, the glass products of Železný Brod, wooden toys and moulds of wood-carvers from Semily, Rusk produced in Lomnice nad Popelkou as well as garnet jewels and ground precious stones made in Turnov found their way to the whole world and became successful
 

Prachovské skály	Suché skály	Hrubá Skála	Skalní Město	Ruine Frýdštejn
Malá Skála	Pantheon	Prachovské skály	Kalich	Rybník Věžák
Jinolické Rybníky	Vranoský Hřeben	Hrubá Skála	Prachov Rocks

Natural points of interest in the Bohemian Paradise
The richness of Nature weds with the variety of landscape beauties. The "rock towns" of Hrubá Skála, Klokočské and Betlémské rocks, Prachovské rocks, Borecké rocks, Drábovna, Kalich – Chléviště, Příhrazské rocks, Sokol, Suché rocks and Vranovský ridge are literally the paradise for rock-climbers and tourists. You are surrounded by a large variety of rock formations which lend space to your imagination. The viewpoints of Hlavatice, Kozákov, Kopanina, Čeřovka, Měděnec, Mužský, Tábor and Zebín will enable you the view of the beautiful and fresh landscape of the Bohemian Paradise. The Podtrosecká valleys, Bartošova pec (Bartoš furnace) – Ondříkovická hollow, the Jizera valley and gallery and the Plakánek valley , will charm you as well as the Věžický pond, Jinolické ponds, Bilý and Černý (White and Black) ponds, Žabakor, Jezírko pod Táborem (Little Lake) below Tábor and the Libuňka and Žehrovka brooks. This region offers plenty of other natural points of interest, such as the Bozkov dolomite caves, Káčov, Libosad, Rváčov and Svatá Anna.

Historical and cultural monuments
The mansions of Hrubý Rohozec, Hrubá Skála, Humprecht, Jičín, Jičíněves, Kamenice, and Sychrov will enable you to look back into the lives of the nobility of the past centuries. Castles and ruins of Brada, Bradlec, Drábské světničky, Frýdštejn, Chlum, Kavčiny, Kost, Kozlov, Kumburk, Pařez, Rotštejn, Staré Hrady, Trosky, Valdštejn, Valečov, Veliš, Vranov, Zásadka and Zbirohy remind us of the long-gone times and today we can only imagine what they looked like when they were inhabited by their owners. The remarkably preserved examples of folk architecture include the Dlask farm in Dolánky u Turnova, Bičíkův a Holanův farm in the village of Příšovice, Boučkův farm in Malé Skále, Karlov in Lomnici nad Popelkou, Kopicův farm at the Hrubá Skála plateau near Valdštejn, Šolcův farm, Studeňany. Other picturesque examples of folk architecture can be found in the town of Sobotka, in Vesec near Sobotka and Železný Brod. Most towns of the Bohemian Paradise have a museum or a gallery. If you go to Turnov, do not forget to visit the District Museum of the Bohemian Paradise and the Gallery Granát (Garnet Gallery), In Semily there is the Municipal Museum and Pojizerská Gallery a dále Municipal Muzeum in Železný Brod and Municipal Muzeum in Lomnice nad Popelkou. In the village of Železnice there is the Museum of National History and Geography. The Malá Skála Gallery has its seat in the Bouček farm in Malá Skála. Other historical monuments include Sedličky in Jičín, Prachov, wooden belfry in in Rovensko pod Troskami, Sculptura Parmiggiani and other listed native houses and commemorative plaques in Sobotka.

Active tourism
There is a large network of marked trails for hiking and paths for biking. The "rock towns" are the real paradise for the lovers of climbing. In the Bohemian Paradise there are also places suitable for paragliding. A large number of ponds, rivers and outdoor swimming-pools offers the possibility of swimming. In case of bad weather you can visit indoor swimming pools. In selected water surfaces it is possible to go for other water sports, such as rafting, windsurfing, boating and diving. The people who admire horses can go to ridding-hall. In various sport equipment you can find tennis courts, golf, mini golf, fitness centers, skittles, saunas, solaria, squash and volleyball courts. In the beautiful landscape you can go mushrooming and fishing and there are also ideal conditions for hunting. Sightseeing flights will enable you to watch the beautiful landscape from bird's eye view. The Bohemian Paradise region offers suitable conditions also for winter sports. The skiing downhill courses with skiing lifts, cross-country tracks and winter stadiums are at you disposal


Jizera Mountains
The Jizera Mountains are among the most interesting tourist destinations in the Czech Republic, mostly because they can be enjoyed all year round. Especially hikers and cyclists will appreciate them in spring, summer and autumn. In winter it is professional and amateur skiers since the Jizerky are interwoven with tens of kilometers of marked hiking routes and cycling paths connecting the most interesting locations of the arena
 

An ideal starting point is Bedřichov, located only a few kilometers from Liberec and Jablonec. Your trip from there can head to the Černa Nisa reservoir or to Nova Louka clearing with a period restaurant, on across Blatný Potok brook to the former glass makers settlement of Kristianov with a museum and historic graveyard with remains of the Riedel glass makers family. Taking your way over Hřebínek, Krasna Mari, Tetřeví Boudy, by Stolpich Road to Smědava promises a splendid view of Smrk and the Hejnice and Nové Město areas. The eastern parts of the Jizerky are ideally accessed walking or driving from Tanvald via Horní Polubný to the Jizerka settlement, which is an excellent point of departure for a lot of further directions. Smedava, in summer accessible from Hejnice and Souš, in winter for motorists from Hejnice only, is an ideal starting point for hiking and cycling trips to Vysoký Hřeben with Smrk, but also to Hejnický Hřeben with the peaks of Jizera (1 122 m above sea level), Černa Hora (1 084 m) and Holubník (1 070 m
 

In winter the Jizera Mountains turn to an Eden for both recreational and performing skiers. Well-groomed cross-country trails cover the whole area and everybody easily finds a convenient route corresponding to personal abilities and tastes. The most suitable points of departure? Bedřichov again, further Horní Maxov, Josefův Důl, Horní Polubný, Kořenov. These are places you can reach by train, by bus or by car and find a good parking. You can also do recreational downhill skiing in the Jizerky, the most facilities are again in Bedřichov, in Severák's vicinity in Horní Maxov, on Špičák near Tanvald, and in Desna
 

   

 

Klenotnice                            Suchardas Haus
Nova Paka 50901                                Suchardova ulice  
Tel. 00 420 493721943                        Tel 00 420 493723542
Fax 00420 49372198                            Fax 00 420 493721928
e-mail novapaka@muzeum.cz                 e-mail novapaka@muzeum.cz

 

 Jicin
Freedom of the city since the early 14th century. It flourished especially in the first half of the 17th century when it was owned by Albrecht from Wallenstein. Jičín was proclaimed a town´s reservation due to its sights. The characteristic silhouette of the town is formed by the Valdická gate (a three-storey building from late Gothic). The Baroque chateau (there are a museum, a town´s gallery, a permanent exposition of the work of academic painter R. Pilář and Hall of Three Emperors there )and houses with arcades belong to the nicest buildings of the town. A battle of the Prussian and Austrian armies took place in the surroundings in 1866.

LOMNICE NAD POPELKOU
The town was founded in the pre-Hussite period from the original village at the fortress. Nowdays this industrial town (textile industry, machinery and food industry- chocolate factory) is surrounded by a natural wall of Tábor, Babylon and the Skuhrovský hill. The Renaissance chateau from the 17th century was was destroyed and rebuilt in a Baroque style in 1737. Nowday it is used for economic purposes. After a fire in the late 18th century a late Baroque church was built on the place of the church of St. Nicholas from the 14th century. On the graveyard there is a church of St. John the Baptist with a prismatoid timbered bell-tower from 1652. Timbered cottages in the Karlovarské square and in the surrounding villages Rváčov, Skuhrov, Košov and Morcínov have been preserved up to now. The town´s museum comes from 1891. There is a sky area with ski -jumps with artifical surface and skiing routes on the top of Babylon.

MALÁ SKÁLA
The first records about this summer resort in the valley of the river Jizera date from 1432. On the rock ridge above the right bank of Jizera there is a romantic Pantheon and a chateau from 1700 that was later given an Empire appearance. Nowdays it is used for economic purposes. There are many folk timbered buildings in the village. A huge two-storey house with a vault on the first storey called the Bouček estate is accessible to public. A birthplace of writer Jarmila Glazarová.

MLADĚJOV
A classical chateau from 1769 which was rebuilt to gain a Neo - Baroque appearancce in 1913. Nowdays it is used for economic purposes. An originally Gothic church from the 14th century , that was rebuilt in the Baroque style, has been preserved. A wooden belfry from the 18th ccentury. There is a Weymouth pine in the park.

MNICHOVO HRADIŠTĚ
Originally a village called Rybitví. It was a center of a cistercian estate in the Middle Ages and a town with a large marketfrom the 16th century. There is a Baroque chateau in the southern part of the town, a Neo-Renaussance town hall from 1892 in the square and a parish church from the Baroque period with tombstones from the 18th and 19th centuries.

PŘÍŠOVICE
Several estates of timbered folk architecture have been preserved (Holan and Bičík estates).

ROVENSKO POD TROSKAMI
A town founded in 1407 at the settlement Týn. The nave of the Gothic church of St. Wenceslas from the 14th century was rebuilt in the 16th century. A Renaissance choir and a baptismal font from 1575 can be seen in the church. In the wooden bell-tower from 1630 there are three so called rebelious bells from the 17th century that are turned upside down. They are put into action by treading.

SEDMIHORKY
In 1841 the owner of the Hrubá Skála estate knight Alois from Aehrenthal and doctor of medicine A. Šlechta founded a hydrophatic spa. The spa was named after a rich spring "Sedmihorka". Spa guests such as Czech artists, writers, musicians and actorsnamed this original and romantic area the Bohimian Paradise. Nowdays it is a recreational center.

SEMILY
District town of the foot hills of the Giant Mountains situated in the valley of the river Jizera. It was established as a settlement with a church and a fortress in the 14th century. Semily became a town in the middle of the 15th century thanks to the development of gold and copper mining. Nowadays there are two major industries: textile and machine ones. On the place of the original Baroque church a Neo-Romantic church of SS. Peter and Paul was built in 1908. Further two buildings come from the Baroque period: the church of St. John the Baptist from 1721 with a painting on the ceiling that is located in the graveyard and a chateau from 1691 which is a seat of the district office. A birthplace of the writer Ivan Olbracht, his father attorney Ant. Zeman and a politician Fr. Rieger. Museum.

SKOKOVY
Klotylda Happeova was healing at Skokovy by using natural methods. In the 16th century a peat and hydrophatic spa was founded there. Only a summer resort since the Second World War.

SOBOTKA
A town founded in 1498 from a original market village. The Renaissance town hall with a bower that was reconstructed in the Empire style, a Gothic-Renaissance church of St. Mary Magdalena and one or two-storey houses belong to the town´s zone of sights. Sobotka is the birthplace of the poets V. Šolc and F. Šrámek. There is a permanent exposition in Šrámek ´s house.

 

 

TURNOV

The town was founded in the 13th century by Jaroslav and Havel from the Markvartic family on a headland above the river Jizera. It developed as an importent center of trade and crafts. Cuting of precious stones and unique production of jewels from the Bohemian garnets made Turnov world-wide known. In 1884 Secondary school of Applied Arts was founded here as the only one of this kind in the whole Europe. Several times reconstructed Renaissance town hall from 1526 has been preserved. Gothic church of St. Nicholas from the 14th century was reconstructed in the Renaissance style and finally in the Baroque style in 1722. Neo-Gothic church of the Virgin Mary from the 19th century with an unfinished tower is the dominant of the town. Church of St. Francis from Assissi from the 17th century was burnt down several times and finally reconstructed at the biginning of the 19th century. The town´s theater from 1872- 1874 is a reduced -size copy of the Prozatimní theatre in Prague. There is a huge exposition of precious stones, jewels, geology, archeology, history and ethnography in the Museum of the Bohemian Paradise. Unique panoramatic painting of Mikoláš Aleš "Massacre of Saxons under Hrubá Skála". Birthplace of revivalists A. Marek, Fort. Durych and a philosopher J. Patočka. Seat of the administration of the Bohemian Paradise.

ŽELEZNICE
Small town situated 5 kilometers to the northeast from Jičín. Peat mines in the surroundings. The spa was founded in 1904. Nowdays a medical institution for children with mobility troubles. Timbered cottages from the late 18th century have been preserved. Town´s museum with ethnographical collections.

ŽELEZNÝ BROD
A town in the valley of the Jizera river originally formed by the villages Brod and Brodec which merged soon and in 1501 became a town. The town acquired the attribute "Železný"(iron) due to iron ore mining. Glass industry has flourished since the 19th century and Glass Technology School was founded in 1920. Glass production has been the major field of industry for Železný Brod and its surroundings. Originally Gothic wooden church of St. James the Greater was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1762. In the graveyard there is a charnel- house along with an octagonal bell-tower from the second half of the 18th century. Only a group of timbered houses at Trávnice has been preserved from the original wooden built up area that existed there in the early 20th century (reservation). Models of wooden folk buildings are located in the Ethnographic Museum of the upper Jizera region. Birthplace of painter V. Rada and a composer V.Viper.

 Jablonec nad Nisou:
This little town is at the south-east of the city Liberec and is very famous for his productioncentre of glass en jewelleries. Very famous are the Bohemian granets. You can buy them here very cheap.
The glassindustry is introduced by German immigrants, followers of Johannes Hus, who settled down in this area after the Hussieten war.  You can see the history of the town and the jewellery industrie in the Czech museum in town. You can cominate this visit with a white-water canoeing trip on the Jisera river!