Bohemian Paradise
namesti Miru
Sobotka, 507 43
SOBOTKA, nám. – Stéblovice (3 km) – Podhůra (4 km) – Mladějov (6 km) – Pařez (10 km) – Na Stájích (10,5 km) – Hotel Skalní město (11,5 km) – Prachov (12,5 km) – Brada (14 km) – Kbelnice (17 km) – JIČÍN (19,5 km)
The Sobotka and Dolnobousov areas together form a transitional region between the Labe lowlands and the hilly area of Jičín with rock formations, castles and chateaux. In the town of Sobotka you can visit the charming Humprecht Baroque chateau; not far from there is one of the best preserved Gothic castles called Kost and its adjacent nature reserve – the romantic Plakánek valley. The town of Sobotka has a long-standing cultural tradition; there is an urban conservation area with well preserved folk architecture houses and Classicist and functionalist buildings. The Dolnobousov area used to be known as a pond region with more than fifty ponds. There are numerous examples of well preserved folk architecture in the area, including log houses of the Jizera type and a unique collection of log belfries. Vast peaceful forests that spread both to the north and the south. The landscape is slightly hilly, suitable especially for bicycle riding.
Sobotka – this town with a distinct history and cultural tradition is the south gate into Bohemain Paradise (the Šrámkova Sobotka Czech language and literature festival, the Sobotka craft fair and a festival of artistic crafts are held here; it is an urban conservation zone); folk architecture (Šolcův statek, Gansův dům, etc.), Classicist and functionalist architecture, a square valuable from the urban planning perspective (with Fráňa Šrámek’s birthplace and museum), the Cathedral of Saint Mary Magdalene, a cemetery with graves of famous Sobotka natives, the poets Fráňa Šrámek and Václav Šolc. The Humprecht hunting chateau from the 17th century is located above the forest park; a municipal outdoor swimming pool.
Pařez – a rock with rock castle ruins is divided into two parts by a crevice. There was a tower with a gate in the western part of the castle, connected with a wooden bridge. The ruins are freely accessible.
Prachov – the family silver of this village is Prachovské scaly (rocks). You can visit the Museum of Bohemian Paradise Nature near one of the entrances to the rock park.
Prachovské skály – one of the oldest nature reserves in the Czech Republic. The unique rock formations with tall rock towers and deep ravines were shaped by erosion of an elevated sandstone tableland. There are two guided tours with view points, the Emperor’s Corridor and the fairy tale dwarf Pelíšek. The Prachovské skály nature trail has 11 stops.
Brada – a hill with modest castle ruins. In 1866, it was one of the artillery positions of the Austrian army defending the town of Jičín against the Prussians. On top of the hill is a cross and statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, patron saints of the battle. The stone cross dedicated to the victims of this war dates back to the same period. It is located near a wooden Baroque square belfry that was built toward the end of the 13th century together with an early Gothic church. Rumcajsova jeskyně (cave).
Jičín – Albrecht von Wallenstein made the town of Jičín the centre of his dominion. The town has preserved its historic character (it is an urban conservation area) and is also part of a Baroque landscape composition, unique in Europe. The historic centre includes a square lined with arcades. There are many historic buildings, a Baroque chateau (today a museum, ), the Church of Saint James the Greater and the popular lookout point, Valdická brána (gate). Czech children associate the town with the fairy tale character Rumcajs – they can visit Rumcajs’ shoemaker’s workshop and an exposition of Rumcajs’ World by Radek Pilař. Other interesting sights include a synagogue, a Jewish cemetery and an elevated point called Čeřovka with the Milohlídka lookout tower, the synagogue, the Wallenstein Loggia, Zebín Hill, etc. The Kníže outdoor swimming pool.