JIČÍN, Valdštejnovo nám. – Libosad, Valdštejnská lodžie (2,5 km) – Valdice (3 km) – Pod Zebínem, odbočka na vrchol (4,5 km) – Zebín (5 km) – Čeřovka, Milohlídka (7 km) – JIČÍN (8,5km)
The Jičín area
This is an area where four landscape types meet – the landscape of sandstone rocks, the landscape of volcanic cones, the landscape of the Krkonoše foothills and the landscape of flats along the Labe. The Jičín area was also the first one to experience tourism. The beginnings of tourism in Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) are marked by a trip that ethnographer Vojta Náprstek and his friends took to Prachovské skály (rocks) and Kumburk castle in 1879. This area was also the first to welcome mountain climbers. These are the reasons that make the town of Jičín the Gate to the Bohemian Paradise. The region also has a rich history. The Wallenstein period left indelible marks both in the town’s development and in the composed landscape – the Baroque Valdštejnská zahrada (Wallenstein Garden). Mariánská zahrada (the Marian Garden), which is one hundred years younger, is a remarkable concept featuring spiritual interpretation of agricultural landscape. It was developed by the Schlik family in late 17th and early 18th centuries. There are also numerous reminders of the Austro-Prussian war from 1866. Last but not least, Jičín is known as a fairy tale town because of the highwayman Rumcajs, his wife Manka and their son Cipísek.
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. Unfortunately, today it is overgrown with vegetation so you will not be able to see too far. The Kníže outdoor swimming pool.
Valdštejnská lodžie (Wallenstein loggia) and LIBosad – two parts of a unique experiment of Wallenstein Landscape Composition from the first third of the 17th century. It includes an axially founded garden with a game park, Honorary Courtyard buildings and a loggia (salla terrena). The second axis is made by an alley with 1000 lime trees, connecting the town, the loggia and Libosad with the Carthusian Monastery in Valdice, designated as Wallenstein’s resting place. In the late 19th century, the park was rather insensitively divided by a railway. Today, it is a protected area. A nature trail offers information about flora and fauna of the location. There is a model of the Solar system in the lime tree alley – stone blocks with bronze discs represent planets proportionately in the same relationships as in space. (During the revitalisation of the alley, the stone blocks are temporarily being stored in the Honorary Courtyard).
Zebín – a prominent basalt cone (offering a view) is a protected natural monument. There is the Baroque Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene and a 14th century church with a wooden belfry at the foothills.
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. Not far from there you can explore the freely accessible Rumcajsova jeskyně (cave), dedicated to the most famous local fairy tale character. Do not miss Rumcajsova stezka (nature trail) and Cipískův okruh (ring path) for families with children.
the 1866 battle of jičín nature trail is dedicated to the battle that took place here on 29 June 1866. It will take you to the most important sights of the battle. Twenty-two stops provide information about the causes, course and consequences of the Austro-Prussian war. There is a military cemetery where soldiers fallen in this battle are buried above the village of Kbelnice; in the middle of cemetery is an Art Nouveau ossuary (a place housing relocated remains).
