Towns

A gem located on the border of three protected landscape areas.

It is, without any question, one of the most picturesque towns in northern Bohemia and has a population of about 5,700. The town was founded towards the end of the 13^th century on a former Bohemia trade route which was an extension of the Nuremberg trade route.

Today’s Česká Kamenice is a major tourist center, offering unique beauty, numerous sights and a convenient location in a region attractive to tourists. This is one of the best preserved historic centers in northern Bohemia and was proclaimed an urban monument zone in 1992.

Tourist information center Česká Kamenice

Nám. Míru 73, 407 21 Česká Kamenice

+420 412 582 600,  www.ceska-kamenice.cz ,  info@ceska-kamenice.cz

IV.–IX. 9.00-18.00,  X.–III. 9.00–17.00 hod.

Recommended:

The Pilgrimage Chapel of Virgin Mary’s Birth

This high Baroque structure with cloisters that dates back to 1736 – 1739 was erected next to a former municipal cemetery from the first half of the 17^th century. The origin of this place of pilgrimage is associated with numerous legends and miracles performed by the Virgin Mary.

The Church of Saint Jacob the Greater

The current look of this Gothic-Renaissance church, the town’s most important sight, was shaped by the last construction that took place from 1604 to 1605.

Evangelic Church

As early as 1902, the local evangelic community established the Association for Evangelic Church Erection. The church was consecrated in 1930 and has been renovated several times, with the last being 2008 – 2009.

Studenec View-Tower

A unique monument, this all-metal, riveted view-tower was built in 1888. It is located on top of Studenec Hill, roughly 5 km north-east of Česká Kamenice, between the villages of Líska and Studený.

Kamenice Castle Ruins with a lookout tower on Zámecký vrch (530 m)

Castle ruins with an added modern lookout tower are located on a basalt hill, south of the town (it is part of České středohoří – the Czech Central Mountains).

Do not miss:

The International Music Festival (mid-June)

This festival features big-band orchestras; the accompanying program includes a popular brass band parade with majorettes marching through the town, attractions and contests for children.

An exhibition on the History of Česká Kamenice

A permanent exposition showing the history of Česká Kamenice was installed in an enclosed underground corridor that unities the Church of St Jacob the Greater and the castle.

Sports events (June – July)

Traditional sports events are held under the auspices of the town mayor. Beginning footballers and cyclists compete for the annual Česká Kamenice Mayor’s Cup.

Classical music concerts

Interesting concerts and different exhibitions are held annually in the evangelic church.

Historical train trips

Old train lovers can experience some nostalgia and learn about the region’s historical, natural and cultural heritage on board two diesel trains. For more information, visit www.kzc.cz .

Make sure to visit other historic towns :

Bělá pod Bezdězem

The town of Bělá pod Bezdězem was founded by Bohemian King Wenceslas II in 1304. Town’s privileges were confirmed by Hynek Berka z Dubé in 1337. Until 1398, Bělá was a royal town. Subsequently, the estate had many landlords. The last family to own the houses and land until 1848 was the Valdsteins. Today, there is a an urban monument zone in the town with numerous significant sights such as the castle (1582-1615), a remaining section of perimeter walls with the Bohemian Gate (1304), the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross, the Church of St Wenceslas and the town hall.

Tourist information center Bělá pod Bezdězem

Masarykovo náměstí 140,  294 21 Bělá pod Bezdězem

+420 326 702 704,  ic@mkbela.cz

The Dean Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross

The west side of Masarykovo náměstí with timbered late Baroque buildings and a Marian Column bearing a statue of the Virgin Mary

Bělá pod Bezdězem Castle with a regional museum

The Bohemian Gate

Česká Lípa

The town’s oldest history is associated with a castle surrounded by a moat, founded on a medieval road to Lužice. The castle used to protect a ford across the Ploučnice. The existence of Lipý Castle allowed the town of Česká Lípa to be founded on a nearby elevated location.

The privileges granted to the town in 1381 confirmed the significance of Česká Lípa as a crafts and trade center. Throughout its historical development, Česká Lípa became an important administration, business and cultural center of the region thanks to its strategic location.

Information center – Infocentrum

Městské informační centrum Česká Lípa

náměstí T.G.M. 2,  470 36 Česká Lípa

+420 487 881 105, +420 487 881 106 , www.mucl.cz, mic@mucl.cz

Lipý Castle surrounded by a moat

Náměstí T. G. Masaryka

The Holy Trinity Column (Plague Column)

An empire style fountain decorated with dolphins

Secession buildings with face walls richly decorated with stucco ornaments, distinctively shaped windows and gables.

Litoměřice

The town’s historic center has been an urban monumental zone since 1950. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Litoměřice. The town is located in the southern foothills of the České středohoří protected landscape area, on the right bank of the Elbe, which joins with the Ohře flowing from the south. The warm climate has always allowed for winegrowing.

The Litoměřice Tourist Center

Mírové náměstí 16/8, 412 01 Litoměřice

+420 416 732 440; +420 411 131 083, Skype – INFO CCR

www.litomerice-info.cz , litomerice-info@seznam.cz

The Kalich Lookout Tower

The Cathedral of St Stephen

Mělník

A town located at the confluence of the two largest Czech rivers, the Labe and the Vltava, lies 30 km north of Prague. Grapevines have been grown on the hillsides around the town and Mělník wine can be tasted in stylish wine rooms.

Mělník is the starting point for one of the most beautiful natural areas in Bohemia, the Kokořínsko landscape protected area.

The Mělník Tourist and Information Center

Legionářů 51, 276 01 Mělník

+ 420 315 627 503 , www.melnik.cz , infocentrum@melnik.cz

The Mělník Chateau

The Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul with an ossuary and a lookout tower

The Mělník underground – a medieval well

The Prague Gate – the “Ve věži” Gallery

The Mělník Regional Museum

Mšeno

The town is located in the woody Kokořínsko landscape area in one of the most romantic parts of the Czech Republic that enchanted the romantic Czech poet Karel Hynek Mácha.

The first mention of Mšeno dates back to 1080 and the settlement was proclaimed a town in 1367. Its dominating features are the Church of St Martin, its Neo-gothic town hall with a decorative spire and the charming and renowned open-air swimming pool, built in the Art Nouveau style. However, what makes the place so attractive to tourists is the beautiful nature that surrounds it, the majestic rock formations and deep chasms and forests, steep hills and shallow pools.

Information center – Infocentrum Mšeno

Náměstí Míru 1 (budova radnice), 277 35 Mšeno

+420 315 693 040, www.mseno.eu, info@mestomseno.cz

The Mšeno Swimming Pool

The Church of St Martin

Nový Bor

– A gate to the Lužické Mountains, a town of glass, greenery and gardens

These are the attributes that best describe Nový Bor. The most important of these are associated with nature; the others have been acquired during its short, but in its own way, unique history. The town lies 360 meters above sea level and has been associated with the glass industry since the end of the 17^th century. Located in a woody, hilly area of the Lužické Mountain foothills, Nový Bor offers a lot of summer and winter tourism opportunities.

Tourist information center Nový Bor

T.G. Masaryka 46, 473 01  Nový Bor

+420 487 726 815, www.novy-bor.cz , tic@novy-bor.cz

The Cathedral of Assumption of the Virgin Mary

Forest cemetery

Richly decorated Navrátil’s Hall

Secession post office building

Úštěk

The town of Úštěk lies in a picturesque region of Bohemia, on the border of two protected areas, České středohoří and Kokořínsko. Its 7493 ha are divided into 23 parts and it has a population of 3011. The town is located on a sandstone formation; it has a well-preserved historical town plan and historical buildings and forms the smallest urban monument zone in the Czech Republic.

Information center – Infocentrum Úštěk

Mírové náměstí 47, 411 45 Úštěk

+420  416 795 368, www.mesto-ustek.cz, mk.ustek@tiscali.cz

The Jewish Synagogue

Bird Houses

The Church of St Peter and St Paul

Twin Churches in Ostré