Where to go on a trip Nová Paka

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.

Scientific Discoveries in the City of Fairy Tales and the Gateway to Český ráj

In a quiet part of the town of Jičín, just a short walk from the historic center, stands an institution that combines a view of the universe with the exploration of our planet. Hvězdárna Jičín, which is part of the Centrum přírodních věd, is housed in a historic villa and offers visitors a comprehensive program focused on astronomy, meteorology, and geophysics. It is a place where modern science meets the romance of old times. For every visitor who wishes to enrich a visit to Český ráj with an educational experience, the observatory represents an ideal stop.

What the Observatory in Jičín Offers Visitors

The main attraction is sky observation in the historic dome, which is equipped with quality astronomical telescopes. In clear weather, visitors can observe the Sun and its activity during the day, while evening hours belong to the Moon, planets, and star clusters. Regardless of the weather, a digital planetarium is in operation, faithfully simulating the night sky and offering educational programs about the universe. The complex also includes a lecture hall where discussions with experts take place. A point of interest of the Jičín observatory is its focus on geophysics and meteorology, meaning visitors can see, for example, a seismograph recording ground tremors. In the villa's garden, visitors will find sundials and a space for relaxation.

Who the Place Is Suitable For

Thanks to a varied program, the observatory is an excellent destination for families with children, who will find answers here to questions about the functioning of the world and the universe. The place is regularly visited by school excursions, as well as tourists and enthusiasts of natural sciences who will appreciate the expert commentary and technical equipment. It is the right choice for every visitor seeking intelligent entertainment in an intimate environment.

What Can Be Visited in the Surroundings

A visit to Jičín would not be complete without climbing Valdická brána, which is the symbol of the town and offers views of Krkonoše and Český ráj. Children will certainly be pleased by the interactive exhibition Rumcajsova ševcovna or Muzeum hry. For lovers of nature and history, the Baroque Valdštejnská lodžie with its park and the mysterious Zebín hill are mandatory stops in the immediate surroundings. Just a short way outside the town, the iconic Prachovské skály begin with their breathtaking rock formations.

The cradle of Czech skiing

The Ski areál Kozinec is located in the Krkonoše mountains, in the Hrabačov district, just one kilometre from the town of Jilemnice. This smaller yet popular resort sits at an altitude of 450 to 520 metres above sea level and is an ideal choice for beginners, families with children, and recreational skiers. Jilemnice, as the historical centre of Czech skiing, gives this place a specific atmosphere.

The resort offers one main downhill slope with a total length of 490 metres. The slope is classified as blue in difficulty, is beautifully wide, and is suitable for learning first turns as well as improving one’s technique. Transport for skiers is provided by one Tatrapoma FP ski lift with a capacity of 600 persons per hour, which fully meets the resort’s needs. Thanks to artificial lighting, evening skiing is also available. A Snowpark with daily groomed obstacles is prepared for snowboarders. The slopes are regularly equipped with artificial snow and are groomed. Directly from the upper station of the lift, it is possible to join maintained cross-country skiing trails spanning several tens of kilometres, such as the Buď fit circuits or the Na Hraběnce – Střelnice route.

How to get there

The Ski areál Kozinec is located in the Jilemnice – Hrabačov district, near the road towards Harrachov. On the approach route from Jilemnice, one must turn left after the railway tracks. A free car park is available for visitors directly at the lower lift station. The nearest railway station is Jilemnice, located approximately 1.5 km away, from where it is possible to continue on foot or via local transport.

What you can discover in the surroundings

Jilemnice and its surroundings in the western Krkonoše offer rich opportunities for year-round tourism. Directly in the town of Jilemnice, one can find the Krkonošské muzeum located in the historical chateau, where, among other things, the unique Metelkův mechanický betlém is on display. Another tourist attraction is the collection of folk architecture known as Zvědavá ulička. In the vicinity of the resort, there is a great opportunity to set out on a hike to the Žalý peak, where the rozhledna Žalý stands, offering panoramic views of the Krkonoše. A few kilometres from Jilemnice lies the Zámek Horní Branná, associated with the stay of Jan Amos Komenský. For skiing in the wider area, it is possible to visit larger ski resorts such as the Ski areál Benecko or the Ski areál Herlíkovice.

A unique rock city in the heart of Český ráj

Prachovské skály are one of the most famous and most visited nature reserves in the Česká republika. This unique sandstone area, declared as such as early as 1933, is located in the Královéhradecký kraj, approximately 5 to 7 km northwest of the town of Jičín. The rock city is part of the Chráněná krajinná oblast Český ráj and is spread between the villages of Prachov, Horní Lochov, Blata, and Pařezská Lhota at an altitude of 300 to 462 metres above sea level. Geologically, it consists of Upper Cretaceous block sandstones, which create a rugged plateau here, divided by deep ravines and gorges into individual rock towers and massifs reaching heights of up to 90 metres. Prachovské skály offer extensive hiking opportunities along marked circuits and are also a popular destination for rock climbers.

The area offers two main sightseeing circuits. The short circuit takes approximately forty-five minutes and leads through a narrow rock crevice and over the two most famous viewpoints, with tourists returning via the Císařská chodba between massive rock blocks. The long circuit is approximately 3.5 km long and passes through seven viewpoints. The tour takes about 2.5 hours and will test one's fitness due to numerous staircases carved into the rock. Among the most famous viewpoints are Vyhlídka Českého ráje and Schlikova vyhlídka, from which panoramic views of the surrounding landscape open up. From an ecological perspective, the area is valuable for its remnants of relict pine forests on the rocks, but the majority of the forest stands consist of spruce monocultures.

How to get there

Prachovské skály are located approximately 6 km northwest of Jičín. The best way to reach them is by car from Jičín via the village of Holín to the village of Prachov, where two large paid car parks for passenger cars and buses are available at the two entrances to the rocks. The car parks are located directly at the entrances to the sightseeing circuits, which ensures convenient access.

What to discover in the surroundings

The surroundings of Prachovské skály are rich in other attractions of Český ráj. The main starting town is Jičín, where visitors may explore the historic centre, Valdická brána, and the Krkonošské muzeum. The ruins of the rock castle Pařez are located in the vicinity of the rocks. The surrounding hills, such as Brada and Přivýšina, are also worth a visit, as they offer additional viewpoints and are ideal for leisurely hiking. Furthermore, from the Šikmá věž viewpoint, there is a lovely view beyond the rock city itself, from Veliš through Jičín to the Zebín hill.

A unique Renaissance bell tower in the Pardubice Region featuring rare bells mounted upside down, now a significant technical monument.

The bell tower with inverted bells, situated in the municipality of Hrochův Týnec in the Pardubice Region, is neither a castle nor a chateau, but a unique 16th-century Renaissance bell tower that serves as a significant technical and architectural monument. The bell tower is a world rarity, as its bells are fixed and mounted upside down; it is not the bells that move, but the entire structure. This system is known as a rotating bell and provides a specific method of ringing. The bell tower is part of the premises of the Kostel svatého Michala Archanděla and represents a rare example of Renaissance timber architecture in the region.

Access

The bell tower is located in the municipality of Hrochův Týnec, at the address Hrochův Týnec 1. By car, it is accessible from the I/17 or II/358 roads. Parking is available at a free car park near the village. The nearest bus stop is Hrochův Týnec, náměstí, which is within walking distance. The Hrochův Týnec railway station (line 016) is approximately 500 metres away. The bell tower is open seasonally with guided tours.

What to see nearby

In the vicinity of Hrochův Týnec, visitors may visit the historic town of Chrudim with the Chrudimské muzeum and the Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie. Visitors may also wish to see Zámek Slatiňany, an extensive chateau featuring a hippological museum and a vast park. Another point of interest is the Rozhledna Bára near the town of Chrudim, which offers views of the Železné hory and the surrounding area.