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THE MLADÁ BOLESLAV Region | |||
| Bakov nad Jizerou Benátky nad Jizerou Benešov Bělá pod Bezdězem Čelákovice Dobříš Hořovice Kladno Kolín Kostelec nad Černými lesy Kralupy nad Vltavou Mladá Boleslav Mladoboleslavsko Nelahozeves Praha Roztoky Rožmitál pod Třemšínem Říčany Svatá Hora u Příbrami Veltrusy Velvary Zruč nad Sázavou |
Founded by the Premyslide Knight Boleslav over a millennium ago, there had been a wooden castle on the left bank of the Jizera river which evolved, with the time, into a centre of a vast region around Mladá Boleslav called Mladoboleslavsko. Time was passing by, the region was changing and the castle as well until the conversion into military barracks under Empress Maria Theresa. Having remained unchanged since, the building is now occupied by the regional museum. The region is one of the three administrative districts into which the western part of the National Reserve Český ráj (Bohemian Paradise) spreads. Here it consists of sandstone rocks, forests and picturesque fishing ponds. The mighty massif of Drábské svěničky near Mnichovo Hradiště had been used during the Primeval Times and the Middle Ages for safe hiding place and shelter thanks to natural configuration and artificial fortifications. A maze of narrow paths, corridors and steps has survived, often winding up to lookout places which reveal far, spectacular sceneries. Marked hiking routes pass through the most beautiful places of the Bohemian paradise, one of which is the castle of Valešov which sits on a sandstone rock. Several ruins of once mighty, ostentatious castles testify to ťhe rulers' past wealth. Some castles were rebuilt into Renaissance or baroque châteaus, others gave up the battle against untiring erosion, disfiguring the hilltops along both banks of the Jizera into bizarre, rugged caps of stone. Formerly a fortress, the château of Mnichovo Hradiště was born of the l7th-century conversion sponsored by Václav Budovec of Budov who lost this properly after the 1620 uprising of the Estates to Albrecht of VJallenstein. Waking up memories of the brave warrior, Budovec's crypt has been preserved in the St Ann's Chapel. Patriarch of the region's castles is the Zvířetice castle. In spite of taking up important positions in the Czech Royal Court, the Lords of Zvířetice could not prevent the castle's desolation sealed later by a lightning. Landmarking the Jizera's right bank since the late l3th century, the leaning tower silhouette of the Michalovice Castle near Mladá Boleslav is reminiscent of the fabled Tower of Pisa. A few miles downstream there is a different scene-the château of Nový Stránov, a fairy-tail neo- Renaissance building created from an older substance at the end of the l9th century. The baroquised château o Benátky nad Jizerou displays figural graffiti on the court fasade which date back to 1599. The Danish astronomer Tycho de Brahe could watch these graffiti emerge while being a guest at Emperor Rudolf II's court. Known for the summer holiday destination of Bělá pod Bezdězem, Mladoboleslavsko's north-west is a country of deep forests presided by the Bezděz Castle. Seated 638 m above sea level, Bezděz is among the most beautiful castles Czechia has in store for visitors. Not far from the township of Bakov nad Jizerou, the deer park of Klokočka, with the allegedly miraculous water spring, and two other reserves-Žehrov and Jabkenice-have a reputation for game- keeping. Entering the park of Jabkenice, one passes an old gamekeeper's lodge where cornposer Fridrich Smetana spent the sunset of his life. Following the path of Smetana's walks along the tranquil ponds and through the park leaves back a very emotional, sobering impression. |
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