Having been a regional centre for seven centuries, Česká Lípa is a lively, modern, fast developing town. Also, it is the best base for those who want to see the region around, still largely undiscovered by the Czech public at large. Directing the eyes towards the horizon, one can often see a romantic hilly landscape with lots of green, spectacular sandstone formations and a few ponds now a then. The notoriously well-known lake of Máchovo jezero is certainly not the only pond here, there are more around Holany and in other places, too. Many beautiful houses have been renewed in Česká Lípa, showing fresh colours and original fa~ades in the styles of Art-Nouveau, Empire and others. Most visitors to the square of Česká Lípa admit that there is something special about sitting down here and just watching. Eg the Red House or the Richter's Yard where reconstruction of the water castle are going on. The former Augustinian Monastery was founded by the warrior Wallenstein and most of it is now a museum. Obviously neglected until recently, the little lanes bustle with shops, pubs, pizzerias and cafes once again. Accommodation is rather inexpensive in Česká Lípa. If you enjoy fine, unusual countryside, Česká Lípa and around is what you should see. And you can't be disappointed, we are sure.

The State Castle of Lemberk was founded by Havel of Lemberk in 1241 whose wife, being proclaimed saint, has joined the European ecclesiastical tradition recently. It zuent through a conversion into a Renaissance residence in the l6th century. This included addition of the Fable Hall with a panel ceiling showing 77 illustrations of Aesopian fables. The l7th century brought another, rather extensive baroque redevelopment which was the last one made. Interiors with rich stucco decorations are certainly worth attention, like the Holy Spirit's Chapel and Zdislava's room. The castle harbours an exhibition of glass art from international symposiums of the Crystalex IGS Company of Nový Bor.

The Sloup Castle in Bohemia. The medieval rock castle was built by the Lords of Lipá and Ronov at the break of the l3th and l4th centuries. The architects made the best possible use of the site, a high block of sandstone. Most of the oldest rooms were hewn in the stone The ruin we can admire today dates back to the l7th century. At that time, the castle was inhabited by hermit pilgrims who added new rooms and corridors, including the rock temple with a baroque lantern.

The State Château of Zákupy. Zdislav Berka of Dubá started this project of a Renaissance château in 1541 which, having passed only a few changes, can be admired by us today. A rather extensive redevelopment took place in the early 1670s under the SaxonLauenburgs. At the start of the l9th century, the domain went to the Tuscan branch of the Hapsburgs. Following Napoleon's defeat, the Congress of Vienna granted Orlík, his son, the title of Earl of Zákupy. In 1847 Zákupy was added to the Emperor's private property and Ferdinand V chose it for his summer residence after his abdication. 1850-1851 was the last time the mansion was renewed, especially the interiors on the 2nd floor that received ceiling paintings and furniture designed by Josef Navrátil, and the chapel which was decorated by painter Vilém Kandler and sculptor Václav Levý.

The State Castle of Bezděz. The royal castle was founded by Přemysl Otakar II in the 1260s and completed in 1278. Bezděz corresponds to the common view of what a typical medieval castle is supposed to look like because, having passed no major redevelopment, its present shape is more or less the same as it was in the Gothic times. Bezděz's unique situation has inspired many Czech artists, eg the poet Karel Hynek Mácha.