Through the Jičín/Jitschin Region: from Wallenstein to Schlick

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IMPORTANT FIGURES Through the Jičín/Jitschin Region: from Wallenstein to Schlick Český ráj LENGTH 30 km DURATION 1 Day Jičín and the surrounding landscape still bear traces of the actions of two

1 IMPORTANT FIGURES Through the Jičín/Jitschin Region: from Wallenstein to Schlick Český ráj LENGTH 30 km DURATION 1 Day Jičín and the surrounding landscape still bear traces of the actions of two powerful aristocrats Albrecht of Wallenstein and Franz Joseph Heinrich Schlick. The former made Jičín the centre of his dominion and, together with famous Italian architects he invited, transformed the surrounding landscape into an elaborate system of buildings and land features combined into a single geometrical feature. Graf Schlick also invited renowned international architects, but his goal was an elaborate, yet unpretentious landscape composition with a strong spiritual dimension. Today, the results of their combined efforts are not as conspicuous as they used to be, but can still be felt strongly in the open landscape and have a pleasant calming effect. Recommended Jičín used to be the seat of one of the most powerful men in Europe Albrecht of Wallenstein The Baroque Loreto in Veliš by Jean Baptiste Mathey The road from the Wallenstein Loggia to Jičín, lined by four-rows of linden trees, is unique in 1

How to get to the starting point The starting point in Valdice is best accessed from the train stop of Jičín-zastávka. When taking a train from Prague, change at Turnov, Nymburk, or Hradec Králové.

Carthusian Monastery, Valdice Carthusian Monastery, Valdice Archiv města Jičína The monastery, founded by Albrecht of Wallenstein, now houses one of the most closely-guarded prisons in the Czech

The curch s interior has unfortunately been destroyed in 1953, when it was converted into a production plant. 1 km 2.

2 How to get to the starting point The starting point in Valdice is best accessed from the train stop of Jičín-zastávka. When taking a train from Prague, change at Turnov, Nymburk, or Hradec Králové. The village of Valdice is about 500 meters from the train stop. Start 1. Carthusian Monastery, Valdice Carthusian Monastery, Valdice Archiv města Jičína The monastery, founded by Albrecht of Wallenstein, now houses one of the most closely-guarded prisons in the Czech Republic. It is still worth just catching a glance of the impressive Church of Assumption of Virgin Mary by Wallenstein s court architect Andrea Spezzo. The curch s interior has unfortunately been destroyed in 1953, when it was converted into a production plant. 1 km 2. Wallenstein Loggia, Valdice Wallenstein Loggia, Valdice Jiří Částka, archiv Sdružení Český ráj Under the hill of Zebín, Wallenstein had a recreational area built. A representative courtyard with a monumental loggia was intended for recreation and arts. The bottom section of the garden was to include fountains and water features, but was never completed. The loggia and the courtyard is now being used by local organisation, with regular art exhibitions and other cultural events. Opening times: November March: Fri 3 PM 8 PM, Sat Sun 1 PM 6 PM April, May, September, October: Thu 1 PM 6 PM, Fri 1 PM 8 PM, Sat Sun 10 AM 6 PM June: Tue Thu 1 PM 6 PM, Fri 1 PM 8 PM, Sat Sun 10 AM 6 PM July, August: Mon Thu, Sat Sun 9 AM 6 PM, Fri 9 AM 8 PM 3. Wallenstein Linden Tree Road Wallenstein Linden Tree Road Prokeš The Wallenstein Loggia was connected to the centre of Jičín by almost two-kilometre long road lined by four rows of linden trees, whose scale makes it unique in the whole of Europe. It originally consisted of 1,152 linden trees planted six metres apart. The trees have been replaced since and there are less of them (986), but the feature is still very impressive. According to one account, the trees were all planted simultaneously upon a signal from a cannon a soldier was standing by each hole in the ground with a small 2

Bílá Hora and the resulting confiscation of property from non-catholic aristocracy, the Jičín Chateau was in ruins after a major fire.

Today, the chateau hosts the Regional Gallery and Museum, with an impressive collection of Baroque paintings and an exhibition on the Wallenstein era.

3 3 km 4. Wallenstein Chateau in Jičín Wallenstein Chateau in Jičín Jiří Morávek, archiv Sdružení Český ráj When Albrecht of Wallenstein received the Jičín dominion and its surroundings, after the Battle of Bílá Hora and the resulting confiscation of property from non-catholic aristocracy, the Jičín Chateau was in ruins after a major fire. Wallenstein had it rebuilt in Baroque style and added stables, a riding hall, a ball game hall and an armoury. Today, the chateau hosts the Regional Gallery and Museum, with an impressive collection of Baroque paintings and an exhibition on the Wallenstein era. Opening times: September December: Tue Sun, 9 AM 5 PM January February: Tue Sun, 10 AM 4 PM March: Tue Sun, 10 AM 5 PM April June: Tue Sun, 9 AM 5 PM July August: daily 9 AM 6 PM 170 m 5. Church of St. Jacob Greater, Jičín Church of St. Jacob Greater Jan Mertlík, archiv Sdružení Český ráj The church in the corner of Jičín s main square is immediately noticeable for its lack of towers. Albrecht of Wallenstein planned to build a magnificent Episcopal cathedral in the town center, but it has not been done. The facade on the existing church dates back to late 19th century. 6,5 km 6. Church of Elevation of the Holy Cross, Ostružno Church of Elevation of the Holy Cross, Ostružno Pavel Buchart, archiv Sdružení Český ráj This beautiful and conspicuous church is the most important late Baroque building in the region. The statues of St. Nicholas and St. Anselm in front of the church have been moved there from the Valdice Monastery. 2,1 km 7. The Holy Trinity Chapel, Ohařice One of four chapels built in 1720 by Franz Schlick as part of what was called Our Lady 3

Veliš. The building was designed by famous Baroque architect Jan Baptiste Mathey and its front facade bears the Schlick coat of arms. 1,6 km 9.

basalt mining. Only a few of its perimeter walls remain today, but the sandstone ridge on which it was built offers excellent views of the surroundings. 900 m 10.

It also contains the skull of Joachim Andreas von Schlick, one of the 27 Bohemian aristocrats executed after the Battle of Bílá hora at Prague s Old Town Square.

4 3,1 km 8. Loreto Loreto Jan Mertlík, archiv Sdružení Český ráj As a centrepiece of his landscape composition, Graf Franz Schlick had a copy of the Holy House of Loreto built near the village of Veliš. The building was designed by famous Baroque architect Jan Baptiste Mathey and its front facade bears the Schlick coat of arms. 1,6 km 9. The Veliš Castle ruins The Veliš Castle ruins Jan Špelda Formerly one of the largest and best-fortified castles in Bohemia, the Veliš Castle was ruined in the 19th century as a result of basalt mining. Only a few of its perimeter walls remain today, but the sandstone ridge on which it was built offers excellent views of the surroundings. 900 m 10. The Schlick Tomb, Veliš The Schlick family had its tomb built in It also contains the skull of Joachim Andreas von Schlick, one of the 27 Bohemian aristocrats executed after the Battle of Bílá hora at Prague s Old Town Square. The Schlick Tomb, Veliš Jan Mertlík, archiv Sdružení Český ráj 666 m 11. The St. Wenceslas Church, Veliš The St. Wenceslas Church After the death of the initiator of the Our Lady Garden concept, Graf Franz Joseph von Schlick, the project was continued by his wife, Anna Josefa. She had the magnificent St. Wenceslas Church built as a centrepiece of a cemetery with four morgues in Veliš. Its staircase is worth a note to strengthen the perspective effect, statues along the staircase get progressively smaller as you near the church 4

5 Possible extension From Veliš, you can return to Jičín through Šlikova ves (5 km). If you have time, however, we would recommend extending the route by about 15 km through the surrounding picturesque villages. Jičíněves boasts a Baroque chateau, built by Franz Joseph Heinrich Schlick between 1715 and 1717 and designed by Jean Baptiste Mathey. The Church of Assumption of the Virgin in Slatiny and the wooden bell tower from 1682 next to it are also worth a visit. Jesuit activities in the region are represented by the Milíčeves Chateau and St. Peter and Paul Church in Nemyčeves. From Nemyčeves, you can return to Jičín by train, or continue by bicycle the distance to Jičín s main square is approximately 8 km. Useful contacts Jičín: Tel: , Address: Městské informační centrum, Valdštejnovo náměstí 1, Jičín, GPS: , Accommodation Hotel Jičín: Tel: , ceskyraj@hoteljicin.cz, Address: Havlíčkova 21, Jičín , GPS: , Hotel U krále: Tel: , info@ukrale.cz, Address: Nerudova 45, Jičín , GPS: , Restaurant tips U Dělové Koule 1866: Tel: , ceskyraj@hoteljicin.cz, Address: Havlíčkova 21, Jičín , GPS: , Bukvice - Restaurace a penzion Kovárna: Tel: , restaurace@restaurace-kovarna.cz, Address: Bukvice 33, Jičín , GPS: , Zámecká restaurace v Jičíně: Tel: , Address: Valdštejnovo náměstí 1, Jičín , GPS: , Grand Hotel Praha v Jičíně: Tel: , info@grandhoteljicin.cz, Address: Husova 310, Jičín , GPS: 5

Discovering the Santini Code

IMPORTANT FIGURES Discovering the Santini Code Žďár nad Sázavou LENGTH 5 km DURATION 1 Day Venture into the heart of the Vysočina to see the work of the greatest Baroque architect, the genius Jan Blažej