Allainova věž
In the Semily District, south of Lomnice nad Popelkou, stands Allainova věž. It served as a hunting seat for the lords of the Rohan family and is now used as a lookout tower. From its gallery, there are beautiful views of the local hills and the town of Jičín. The tower was dedicated to the tragically deceased young Prince Allain.
The lookout tower was built in the neo-Gothic style within the local Rohan game preserve. This was brought about by Kamil Josef Rohan, who commissioned the architect Josef Pruvot to draw up a plan for the opulent hunting seat. Costs climbed to 1,714 florins, and construction was completed in 1862. It has an octagonal floor plan covering an area of more than 30 m². The tower is single-storeyed, made of stone, 10.5 m high, and stands at an altitude of 540 m above sea level. Various inscriptions are placed here, one of which is connected to the tragic event involving the nephew of Kamil Josef Rohan, Prince Allain. He fell from a horse during a hunt and died (he was 28 years old). Kamil Josef Rohan suffered from remorse because when Allain's father (the brother of Kamil Josef Rohan) was dying, he promised to look after the young prince. However, he failed to fulfil this. Therefore, he dedicated the tower to the memory of his nephew. In 1945, based on the Beneš decrees, the property was confiscated from the Rohans, the tower was used as animal feed storage, and subsequently, it was completely abandoned. It suffered from vandalism and general decay. In 2013, when it almost became a ruin, it came into the ownership of Lomnice nad Popelkou. The town began its extensive reconstruction, and the surroundings of the lookout tower were also landscaped. Information boards, benches, and bicycle racks were installed.
The lookout tower can be found along the path leading from the Kyje u Jičína railway station, which has yellow tourist markings, and from the crossroads along the blue markings (1.5 km). The route is also cyclable. Near the viewpoint, visitors can admire a memorial oak tree and refresh themselves at the local spring.
Near Lomnice nad Popelkou, many interesting places to visit can be found. Hrad Trosky, the Válečné muzeum Újezd pod Troskami, or the Lyžařský areál Lomnice nad Popelkou should not be missed. For a stay, accommodation is offered in the vicinity of Allainova věž with direct reservation with the owner. The Semilsko region provides wonderful accommodation not only in cottages and chalets, guesthouses, and hotels.
