Pictures & information of the Czech Republic - Bohemian Paradise (Český Ráj)

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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.

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.