Český ráj (Czech Paradise) Reserve

Český ráj is a 181.5 square kilometer nature reserve located in the northeastern part of the Czech Republic between the towns of Turnov, Mnichovo Hradiste and Jičín. Since 2005, the region has been considered the center of a UNESCO European Geopark.

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Video: Czech Paradise

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General Information

Hundreds of millions of years ago, the area of Bohemian Paradise was a seabed covered with volcanoes. Over time, the sun and wind have created a unique landscape of deep gorges, bizarre cliffs, intricate caves, crystal clear lakes, dense forests and flowering meadows. People also had a hand in this splendor – they built castles, fortresses, citadels and founded cities.

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The modern panorama of the Czech Paradise is a uniquely beautiful sight, a harmonious combination of the grandeur of nature and man-made masterpieces. The reserve is home to many species of animals and plants: owls, herons, bats, mouflons, roe deer and so on. The geological structure of the region is of great interest: there are deposits of the rarest minerals and precious stones.

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The Bohemian Paradise is an ideal place for active tourism. There are hundreds of hiking and cycling routes in the reserve. After climbing through rock labyrinths and staircases cut into the rock, you can reach one of the observation platforms and enjoy the unique view, and then refresh yourself in the Machový Lake and relax on its beach. There are many ecological entertainment centers in the reserve, including children’s.

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Rocks of the Bohemian Paradise Nature Reserve

Among the natural riches of the Bohemian Paradise are the rocky towns, which are characterized by Gothic nobility, Baroque frivolity and Rococo pretentiousness.

The main attraction of the region is the Prachov Rocks, an ancient sandstone platform dissected by canyons, valleys and cliffs. Many pillar-shaped rocks with corners, crevices and peaks can be found here, as well as dozens of viewing platforms. Parej Castle is carved into one of the cliffs.

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Another popular tourist attraction is the Rough Rocks, a group of stone columns more than 50 meters high that are interspersed with steep canyons and picturesque valleys. Some clusters of rocks have their own names: “Sahara”, “Lighthouse”, “Mouse hole” and so on. Sandstone pillars “growing” out of the lake look very unusual.

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The pearl of the Bohemian Paradise is the Small Rocks, Dry Rocks and Vranov Ridge formed from the remains of an ice block. No less attractive are the Besedice Rocks with labyrinths and the Božkovské caves with the largest underground lake in the country. Boreckie rocks with unusual stone gates and windows are also impressive, as well as dozens of other natural phenomena.

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Architectural sights

The Czech Paradise is worth traveling to not only for ecotourism lovers, but also for connoisseurs of architectural beauty. The local cliffs and towns contain a large number of historical structures.

The ruins of the Troski Fortress, located near the town of Rovensko pod Troskami, are considered a recognized symbol of the region. The original structure, dating back to the XIV century, consisted of two towers called “Baba” and “Maiden”, erected on the peaks of two high cliffs and united by a fortress wall. Today, as a result of fires and wars, only ruins remain, from the tops of which you can enjoy a stunning view of the Bohemian Paradise.

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Not far from Jičín you can see another famous attraction of the reserve – the stone Gothic castle Kost, built in the 14th century. For several centuries of its existence, this impregnable stronghold has been virtually unreconstructed, thanks to which it has survived to this day in its original form. Nowadays the castle has a museum and hosts festivals.

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In addition, in the Czech Paradise you can visit the castle Hrubý Skála, built on the top of a mountain, the former nest of robbers – Valštejn Castle, the oval hunting castle of Gumprecht, Hrubý Rogozes – castle in Turnov, which has the richest interiors and an unusual park, baroque palaces in Jičín and Mnichovo Hradiště, as well as many, many other interesting places.

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How to get there

To get to the Czech Paradise from Prague you can take a bus from the metro station “Černý Most” to Turnov, or a train from the main railway station to Turnov, the journey will take about 2 hours (approximately 100 kilometers). By car from Prague on the direct road number E65 (less than one and a half hours).

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