Český ráj – People & Places

The following table lists some of the special places worth visiting in Český ráj, and a few characters who feature prominently in the region’s history, who you will meet from time to time if you travel frequently to Český ráj. Click on the entry to read a little more about the location or person. At the bottom of each entry is the Tag for the place, which will take you to a page listing those walks visiting that location.

Title	Excerpt	Image
Albrecht of Valdštejn	Albrecht of Valdštejn, the imperial generalissimo, and major political figure during the early 17th century, is arguably the most famous person to be associated closely with Český ráj.
Apolena	Apolena is the sandstone rock area around Trosky hill. It is essentially a large sandstone plateau ringed by cliffs formed by the surrounding streams.
Besedické skály	The trails within the relatively unknown Besedické skály are possibly the most colourful and interesting of all the Český ráj rock cities.
Brada castle	Brada is a medieval castle ruin situated on a rocky spur at the edge of the Prachovské skály rock area. From the Brada viewpoint there are panoramic views over the whole Jičín plain.
Borek rocks	The Borek rocks are a small, relatively unknown but attractive sandstone 'rock city' located to the southeast of Turnov, with excellent views towards Trosky castle.
Čeněk of Vartenberk	Čeněk of Vartenberk was a prominent member of the noble Markvart family, which controlled most of Český ráj in the 14th century. He played a major role in the 15th century Hussite wars.
Čertová ruka	Čertová ruka is an ancient fortified site located in centre of the Hrubá Skála rocks. Archaeological finds dating from the Neolithic have been found at the site.
Dlaskův statek	Dlaskův statek is one of the best examples of 'folk architecture' in Český ráj. The timbered farmhouse dates from the 18th century and is located on an attractive stretch of the river Jizera.
Drábovna	Drábovna is a small ‘rock city’ located near Malá Skála. The sandstone pillars are smaller than in other rock areas, but are still impressive, with some fine examples of mushroom rocks.
Drábské světničky	Drábské světničky is an intriguing ruined rock castle built in the 14th century. It is located on the rugged Příhrazské skály sandstone cliffs overlooking the Jizera plain.
Frýdštejn castle	Frýdštejn is a medieval castle situated on top of a sandstone outcrop, which forms part of the Vranov ridge of sandstone that runs from the river Jizera to Frýdštejn.
Hradiště Hrada	Hrada is an ancient hillfort located on the sandstone plateau of Příhrazské skály. It is potentially the most important strategic location for any of Český ráj hill forts.
Hradiště Semín	Semín is an intriguing Celtic archaeological site, located on a plateau above the Podtrosecká valley. A reconstruction of a Celtic oppidum fort occupies part of the plateau today.
Hrubá Skála castle	Hrubá Skála castle was founded in the 14th century by the Valdštejn dynasty. It has a long and interesting history and today houses a private hotel/public restaurant.
Hrubá Skála rocks	Hrubá Skála is the largest and most famous of the sandstone rock areas in Český ráj. It hosts a number of medieval rock castles, including Valdštejn and Hrubá Skála castle.
Hrubý Rohozec	Hrubý Rohozec was originally a gothic fortress built near Turnov by the Markvart family in the13th century. It acquired its Renaissance appearance in the 16th century.
Humprecht	Humprecht was constructed in the 17th century as a hunting lodge by a famous Italian architect. It has a unique form, and dominates the local landscape around Sobotka.
Hynšta rock fortress	Hynšta is a small, probably 14th century, rock castle located in the centre of the Příhrazské skály. It has an intriguing cave-like rock room to explore.
Jičín	Jičín, founded in the late 13th century, is the largest town in the region, and has some fine examples of Renaissance and Baroque architecture, including its famous town square.
Jizera river	The Jizera river is the main architect of the Český ráj sandstone landscape. The history and pre-history of the region is inextricably tied to this meandering and mid sized river.
Kavčiny	Kavčiny is a small rock castle located close to the larger Valdštejn castle. Kavčiny was probably constructed to guard the approach to Valdštejn, in the 14th century.
Klokočské skály	The Klokočské rocks are famous for their spectacular cliff edge views towards the volcanic hill of Kozákov. The area is one of the larger sandstone plateaux, and has a classic cuesta shape.
Komárovský rybník	Komárovský rybník is the second largest Český ráj lake. It was created as a fish pond sometime in the late Middle Ages, and is today an attractive lake for summer swimming.
Kopicův statek	Kopicův statek is one of the finest examples of 18th century folk architecture in the region. Below the house is a trail of famous sandstone rock reliefs.
Kost castle	Kost is the most dramatic and impressive of the Český ráj gothic castles, constructed in the 14th century on a sandstone outcrop, by the Markvart family.
Kozákov	The Kozákov volcanic hill is the highest point in Český ráj and has dramatic 360° views. The hill has been a source of semi precious volcanic rocks since Neolithic times.
Kozlov (Chlum)	Kozlov castle was likely founded in the early 14th century by the Markvart family. Little is known of this mysterious place, with many rock rooms to investigate
Mnichovo Hradiště	The town of Mnichovo Hradiště is dominated by its fine baroque 17th century chateau. The town and chateau are closely associated with the famous Valdštejn and Markvart dynasties.
Mužský viewpoint	Mužský hill is a volcanic hill located in the centre of the Příhrazské plateau. It is also the highest point in Mlada Boleslav region, with fine 360° views.
Mužský village	Mužský village is located on the Příhrazské sandstone plateau and is a heritage protected site, representing some of the best preserved folk architecture in the region
Obětní kámen	Obětní kámen is an unusual weathered rock situated on a sandstone outcrop close to Mužský. It may have had a ritual purpose in ancient times.
Pařez castle	Pařez is a small rock fortress hidden in the woods below Prachovské skály. It was built in the 14th century and abandoned after the Hussite Wars in the 15th century.
Plakánek valley	The Plakánek valley located close to the castle of Kost is one of the most interesting sites in Český ráj, revealing the geological secrets of the Cretaceous era.
Postojna cave	Postojna cave is the largest of several caves located in the Klokočské skály, first used as a shelter by hunter-gatherers in the Stone Age.
Prachovské skály (Prachov rocks)	Prachovské skály are probably the most famous and photographed of the Český ráj 'rock cities'. The sandstone pillars have attracted tourists and climbers for over two centuries.
Příhrazské skály	Příhrazské skály is one of the largest sandstone rock areas in Český ráj. It is one of the best 'rock cities' for cliff edge views, and has several ancient castle sites.
Rotštejn castle	Rotštejn is a classic ruined rock castle built on the edge of the Klokočí cliffs. It was founded by the Markvart family in the second half of the 13th century.
Saint Zdislava	Saint Zdislava is an important 13th century figure in the history of Český ráj. She is closely associated with Turnov and the history of the Markvart family.
Sobotka	Sobotka is an attractive historic town close to Jičín. It is most notable for its fine examples of folk architecture dating from the 16th to 19th centuries.
Suché skály	The Suché skály are a unique ridge of uplifted and hardened sandstone. From a distance the ridge looks like the back of some monstrous dragon, sleeping in the forest.
Svijany	Svijany is a village located close to the Jizera, with history dating back to the Bronze Age. Today it is home to Renaissance chateau with an intriguing history and a famous brewery.
Trosky	Trosky is unique. A gothic fortress built on top of twin towers of solidified lava, it stands proud as the symbol of the region. Its silhouette is visible from every corner of Český ráj.
Turnov	Turnov, strategically placed on an elbow of the river Jizera, has a history dating back to the Stone Age. It is viewed as being at the heart of Český ráj, both geographically and historically.
Valdštejn	Valdštejn was formerly a gothic castle and family seat of a major branch of the Markvart family. It was reconstructed several times over the centuries, and has a rich history, worth investigating.
Valečov castle	Valečov is an imposing medieval castle ruin built on a sandstone outcrop, close the village of Boseň. It is one of the more accessible rock castles, with a parking area just below the ruins.
Veliš	Veliš castle, built on an ancient volcano, was once viewed as the strongest castle in Bohemia. Today, little more than a couple of crumbling walls above an abandoned basalt quarry.
Vesec u Sobotky	Vesec is a small village located close to Sobotka. It has the some of the best preserved examples of timbered folk architecture in the region, and is a national heritage monument.
Vranov (Pantheon)	Vranov is a rock castle located above the Jizera river, near Malá Skála. It was built in the early 15th century on uplifted sandstone ridge that lies along the Lusatian fault zone.
Vranovský Hřeben (Vranov ridge)	The Vranov ridge is an extraordinary geological feature, situated above Malá Skála. It is an uplifted block of sandstone dating from the earliest period of flooding by the Cretaceous sea.
Vyskeř	Vyskeř is a volcanic hill visible from some distance away due to the white chapel of St Anne, which is perched on top of the hard basalt outcrop.
Zbiroh	Zbiroh is a romantic medieval castle ruin perched on a sandstone outcrop above the Jizera river. It was built in the 14th century, probably by the Vartenberk family.