Bohemian Paradise - Královéhradecký kraj

Rock towns in
Bohemian
Paradise
EN
HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ REGION
BOHEMIAN PARADISE
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Česká Proseč – a small village on the border of the Bohemian Paradise
and the area at the foot of Giant Mountains (Podkrkonoší) will interest
you with timber cottages, the sculpture of St. Trinity in the square and
newly refurbished wooden bell tower.
There is an area of land between Jičín, Mnichovo
Hradiště, Železný Brod, Bozkov, Jilemnice and
Nová Paka with an exceptional geological, natural
and cultural heritage. Indeed, the unique nature
of the landscape and the work done there resulted
in Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) being included
in the UNESCO Network of European and Global
Geoparks in 2005.
Bohemian Paradise truly is a geological textbook
owing to its extremely diverse geological
development. The geopark area was covered by
sea and lakes throughout its millions of years of
existence and even witnessed volcanic activity
on more than one occasion. The result is an area
full of rugged rocks, volcanoes, karst phenomena,
rivers, romantic valleys, forests, meadows and
ponds.
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rachovské Rocks – undoubtedly the most famous part of the Bohemian
Paradise and a paradise for climbers and even for tightrope walkers.
THE BOHEMIAN PARADISE
UNESCO EUROPEAN GEOPARK
© Juandev, CC BY-SA 3.0
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© Prasopestilence, CC BY-SA 3.0
Natural Monument Borecké Rocks extend around
the hillock Bor (360 m above sea level). It is the only
Czech rock town with a permanent river flowing through.
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The sandstones here were created almost
100 million years ago and after being thrust
from the sea bed were shaped into rock towns
by erosion. These unique attributes can be
admired in all the rock towns in Bohemian
Paradise - Prachovské skály (Prachov Rocks),
Hruboskalsko (Hrubá Skála), Besedické skály
(Besedice Rocks), Suché skály (Dry Rocks),
Borecké skály (Bor Rocks), Klokočské skály
(Klokočí Rocks), Příhrazské skály (Příhrazy
Rocks), Drábské světničky, Vranovský hřbet
(Vranov Ridge), Měsíční údolí (Moon Valley),
Drábovna and so on.
Tertiary Period volcanic activity put the finishing
touches to the landscape and left behind it the
remains of basalt volcanoes – the hills now
known as Veliš, Zebín, Trosky, Vyskeř and other,
hills that have become prominent features of
the landscape of Bohemian Paradise.
THE PRACHOV ROCKS
© ŠJů, CC BY-SA 3.0
The Prachov Rocks (Prachovské skály) might
be termed the cradle of Czech rock-climbing,
the Prachov Climbing Club having been founded
here as far back as 1907.
The rock town was created during Orogenetic
processes by the break-up of sandstone blocks
of up to 90 metres in height. The rocks here
rise high above the surrounding landscape,
meaning that the passageways, the corridors
between the rocks, are predominantly dry.
However, the rock town is different in the area
Příhrazské Rocks hide a rock chapel carved in and an
unusual formation called the Mare‘s Head.
Palaeozoic volcanic activity, the results of which
can be seen in the Nová Paka area, gave rise
to the formation of precious stone and fossil
wood. The finest collections of these can be
found in the Nová Paka Museum (Městské
muzeum Nová Paka), in its Treasury of Precious
Stones (Klenotnice drahých kamenů).
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© Matěj Baťha, CC BY-SA 3.0
Prachovské Rocks offered a refuge for people as early as in the Stone
Age – they provided protection from enemies. Many years later even
Austro-Prussian War battle (1866) took place here.
A castle ruin called Pařez is hidden near Pařezská Lhota on the edge
of Prachovské Rocks. The existence of this seat is mentioned in
the documents from the late 14th century, nevertheless the castle was
conquered by the Hussites and then fell into disrepair.
© Magnus Mertens, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Reichs-German family, which gradually promoted to the status of the count.
After the defeat of the Czech Estates (1621), the family split and a part of
it emigrated. The Copidlens family stayed in the Czech Republic and its
members still live in the castle of Jičíněves.
THE SCHLICKS family, originally from Cheb, represented Czech and
around Šikmá věž (Leaning Tower). The slopes
that descend into the Jičín basin are unstable,
meaning that the rock towers here are often
slanted. Among the best-known and most
beautiful places in the Prachov Rocks are
Bohemian Paradise View Point (Vyhlídka
Českého ráje), Peace View Point (Vyhlídka Míru),
the Emperor’s Corridor (Císařova chodba –
named after a visit paid here by Emperor
Franz I) the Leaning Tower (Šikmá věž) and the
sculpture of Pelíšek the Elf. The ruins of what
was once Pařez Castle are found not far from
the Prachov Rocks, which have been owned by
the Schlik family since 1637. The Schliks were
an aristocratic line that played a significant part
in shaping Czech history. The property that had
been confiscated from them was returned in
1993 and since 2000 they have been running
the Prachov Rocks tourist area on their own.
The short tour here passes through a narrow
rock crevasse of only 35 cm in width, from
where you climb to the two best-known viewing
points and back along the Emperor’s Corridor
through the mighty stone blocks. This circuit
might take you around ¾ of an hour. The longer
tour, meanwhile, passes round seven viewing
points and gives visitors the chance to climb
many sets of stairs carved into the rock and
squeeze themselves though narrow crevasses
amidst the huge boulders. The trail is 3.5 km
long and might take around two and a half
hours to complete.
The Prachov Rocks are one of the best known
areas in the Czech Republic and are one of
the country’s oldest nature reserves.
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© Huhulenik, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Originally Gothic castle was rebuilt after several fires to
the romantic Renaissance chateau. From its tower you
can view the surroundings Hrubá Skála and the rest of
the Bohemian Paradise.
THE BOR ROCKS (Borecké skály)
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This small sandstone rock town is found in
the uplands of Bor, which are covered by pine
forests. It stands 1 km to the west of Rovensko pod
Troskami. This is a group of rocks with unusually
structured walls, several overhangs and rock
windows.
THE HRUBÁ SKÁLA ROCK TOWN
The Hrubá Skála rock town is one of the best-known
in the country and is characterised by its rock towers
that reach up to 55 metres and its steep canyons.
The relatively low resistance of the sandstone and
the permanent effects of various influences can be
seen in the incredible wealth of shapes and forms.
We can divide the unique rock towers and the groups
and blocks of sandstone rocks into four areas: Dračí
ROCK CLIMBING
There are rules that must be obeyed if you intend to go
rock climbing here and if you are not a registered rock
climber, you will simply have to watch the climbers in
action or pay a visit to one of the artificial climbing walls in
places such as Sobotka or Jičín.
There are plenty of places in Bohemian Paradise that are
popular with rock climbers, places such as the Hrubá
Skála area (Hruboskalsko), the Dry Rocks (Suché skály),
Drábské světničky and so on. One recent phenomenon you
might come across in the rock towns is that of “slackline
Slackline is a newly expanded sport here - it is a walking, balancing or
jumping on ropes stretched between two fixed points. Czech slackliners
belong to the world leaders.
skály (Dragon Rocks), Kapelník (Bandmaster), Maják
(Lighthouse) and Údolíčka (Little Valley). The red path of
the Bohemian Paradise Gold Trail (Zlatá stezka Českého
ráje) has a number of viewing points, including Mariánská
viewing point, which offers a marvellous view of Trosky
Castle and Hrubá Skála Chateau, the Na Kapelu viewing
point, the U Lvíčka viewing point and the Hlavatice viewing
tower, these all being spaced along the ridge trail. The tall
trees of the Bukovina Arboretum rise above the red trail
between Valdštejn Castle and Hrubá Skála, the arboretum
having been created from what were once botanic
gardens. The Bohemian Paradise Information Centre
(Informační centrum CHKO Český ráj) is open here during
the main tourist season.
There is a symbolic cemetery dedicated to dead rockclimbers beneath Mariánská viewing point, while hiking
trails also pass through the foot of the rocks, taking
visitors through towers and rock blocks such as “Čertova
ruka” (Devil’s hand), a place that was settled as far back as
the New Stone Age.
While in the Hrubá Skála area, you should certainly
pay a visit to the oldest castle in Bohemian Paradise –
Valdštejn Castle – or enjoy a view of the surrounding area
from the tower at Hrubá Skála Chateau, which is now
home to a hotel and hostel.
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well-known crossroads Točenice is located close
to the popular Viewpoint of the Bohemian Paradise.
From the crossroads it is not far to get to the tourist
mountain cottage where you can relax and refresh.
From Věžičky Pond go along the yellow trail to the Pond
Vidlák, where you can observe along the way the places
connected to the movie How to get dad to the reformatory
(Jak dostat tatínka do polepšovny) – Czech Paradise
served as a perfect backdrop.
walkers” and there is even a slack line festival held
at the foot of Kost Castle.
HIKING
Marked hiking trails have a long tradition in the
region. It was Vojta Náprstek who made the
pioneering journey into the Prachov Rocks in 1879,
from which time the number of visitors has risen,
paths have been built and marked, stairways have
been created and viewing points have been made
with the help of the owners, the Schlik family.
Hiking trails are now marked out by the Czech
Tourist Club.
The web of hiking trails provides visitors with
countless wonderful days out, whether around
the viewing points or through the rocks from the
bottom. You simply have to choose, before admiring
the unique nature of each and every place.
FILMS AND FAIRY TALES
The rocks town of Bohemian Paradise attract filmmakers intent on shooting fairy tales and more.
Indeed the beauty and magic of the rock formations
here have been used as the backdrop for many
Czech family films.
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© Hadonos, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Other castles which you can visit in Hradec Kralove Region:
Castle and Chateau Staré Hrady
u Jičína
Castle Kost
Castle Pecka
Castle Skály - Bischofstein
Hrádek Aichelburg
Skuhrov nad Bělou
Castle Ruin Brada
Castle Ruin Břecštejn
Castle Ruin Červená Hora
Castle Ruin Frymburk
Castle Ruin Hlodný
Castle Ruin Klečkov (Nový hrad)
Castle Ruin Pařez
Castle Ruin Pěčín
Castle Ruin Potštejn
Castle Ruin Veliš
Castle Ruin Vízmburk
Castle Ruin Vlčinec
Castle Ruin Výrov
ROCK TOWNS IN BOHEMIAN PARADISE
1st edition, 2015
To the preparation of articles contributed: Sdružení Český ráj www.cesky-raj.info
and Krajský úřad Královéhradeckého kraje
Pictures: © Jaroslav Kocourek, Wikimedia Commons
Maps, graphic design, layout: freytag & berndt Praha | Print: HART PRESS, spol. s r.o.
© Královéhradecký kraj, 2015
© freytag & berndt Praha
Published in the framework of the project „Support For Tourism Development In The Hradec Králové Region“
This publication was created within the framework
of the project „Support for tourism development
in Hradec Králové region“, co-financed by the European Union
from the European Fund for Regional Development
www.kralovehradeckyregion.cz
BOHEMIAN
PARADISE