This project was co-financed by the EU
and by the Královéhradecko regional government
through the common regional operations fund.
Tips for journeys
Kladsko borderland
We would like to kindly invite you to the region called the Kladsko Borderland, which is situated in the Czech-Polish border area between the Krkonoše and Orlické mountains. This region is full of various historical and cultural monuments – nine natural protected areas together with more than one thousand listed cultural landmarks give it a unique character. The region is ranked among the most sought-after places in the Czech Republic by people looking for a place to spend their freetime or holidays. The countryside satisfies, with its rugged terrain as well as its historical and cultural sights, even the most challenging visitors.
We extend to you our whole-hearted invitation to the district town of Náchod as well as to its surroundings e.g. Nové Město nad Metují, Česká Skalice, Teplice nad Metují, Hronov, Broumov and Dvůr Králové nad Labem.
Náchod
The dominant structure in the district town of Náchod is a Baroque castle overlooking the town square. The castle offers two guided tours, which will introduce the visitors to the famous Brussels tapestry from the mid-17th century as well as the collection of flower still lifes. The castle’s main tower (offering a spectacular view of the whole town and its surroundings), dungeon and terrace are open to public. Children especially will be entertained by the two bears, Dáša and Ludvík, who live in the castle’s moat.
Another very interesting site not only for military history lovers, at the end of a challenging walk (but also reachable by car), is a World War II fortress in the village of Dobrošov. This fortification was built between 1935 – 1938 as part of an immense system of borderland protection against the Nazis. The bunker, called “Zelený,” is the only artillery bunker open to the public in the Czech Republic. The fortress is undoubtedly an exceptional military landmark.
Nové město nad Metují
This beautiful town is often called the “Renaissance Pearl” of the Czech Republic. In addition to the unique Baroque square, you should also visit the Baroque castle founded in 1501, which is owned by Bartoň-Dobenin family. The walk through the castle’s French garden, decorated with M.B.Braun’s Barouque statues, is a must as well. Another remarkable place is the part of town called “Zadomí” (behind the houses), which is famous for its unforgetable views of the surroundings. And finally, there is “Peklo” (Hell). It’s a small wilderness area situated at the junction of the Metuje and Olešenka rivers, an enjoyable 5 km walk from the town. There you can relax in the lovely restaurant decorated with devil´s motifs called “Bartoňova útulna.” The restaurant is known for typical czech hospitality as well as a great number of devil’s dishes!
Rock town in Adršpach
This peerless rock town, where the Metuje river weaves its way through a labyrinth of rock towers, gates and gorges, has been admired by visitors since the end of the 18th century. The rock town in Adršpach is included in the National Nature Reservations list, so visitors are allowed to walk only on marked paths. The main hiking trail is 3,5 km long and shows visitors the most interesting places, such as the Small and Big waterfall, falling from a height of 18 metres. Another attraction is sailing on the rock lake, which is 535 metres above sea level. If you want to see the place where many of the most beautiful Czech fairytales have been shot, you must visit the rock town in Adršpach.
The rock town is opened the whole year and if you do not feel up to the main hiking trail you can choose the smaller one. It is only 1,5 km long and takes you around the lake located in a former sandpit, next to the entrance to the rock town. It is a very pleasant walk which grants you many spectacular views of the eastern part of the rock town. The ruins of a medieval castle called Adršpach are located on Oldcastle Hill, 3 km from the main hiking trail. The castle’s lookout point offers you another spectacular view of the whole rock town as well as the Krkonoše mountains. The rock town is visited every year by thousands of satisfied tourists, not only from the Czech Republic, but from all around the world. We warmly recommend the trip to Adršpach’s rock town to our guests.
Česká Skalice
Three kilometres away from Česká Skalice, in Ratibořice, is another very famous Czech national cultural landmark – Babiččino údolí (Grandmother´s valley). In this valley are many cultural and natural monuments connected with the most famous Czech novel, Babička (Grandmother) written by Božena Němcová. Visitors can see the Castle in Ratibořice, the Lord´s tavern, Babička´s memorial, Rudr’s grain mill, a water rolling press, Staré bělidlo (the Old bleachery), Ryzmburg’s summer house, Viktorka´s weir, and the farming castle´s yard, where the Pankl´s family lived. These landmarks together with the natural beauty of the valley form an outstanding aesthetic whole. The unique atmosphere of the place takes visitors back to the times portrayed in Božena Němcová’s work. Yearly visitors to Grandmother’s Valley can also take part in a whole series of cultural fests. The most famous and attractive one is an event in which the characters from the novel Babička are brought to life.
The castle in Ratibořice was built between 1702 and 1708 in the Baroque style for the duke Lorenzo Piccolomini. At the beginning of the 19th century the castle was reconstructed in the Central European Classical and Imperial style. The castle’s park was built later, around 1810, during the reign of Duchess Kateřina Zaháňská. The park has the shape of an ellipse which flows into open space at the edges. Another interesting place in Česká Skalice is the Božena Němcová Museum, the oldest literary museum in the Czech Republic. It has three main exhibitions: the first is devoted to the writer Božena Němcová, the second is devoted to the Prussian-Austrian War and the last is devoted to the history of Česká Skalice. This museum is connected with the Textile Museum which is also situated in Česká Skalice.
Rozkoš (Passion)
The lake formed by this dam, which covers an area of 1001 hectares, is often called the “Eastbohemian Sea.” The lake offers a great number of sports and cultural activities – both in the water and on dry land – to fishermen, sportspeople and tourists. There is a sauna, water slide, bike and sports equipment rental shop, minigolf, children´s playground, summer cinema as well as many bistros and restaurants.
Broumov
Another natural landmark, also included in the Czech national nature resevations list, is the rocky cliffs of Broumov. They are formed along a 10 km long ridge lying between Broumov and Police nad Metují. The cliffs are full of rock towns, rock gates, rock mushrooms and steep valleys. The highest is peak is “Božanovský Śpičák” (773 m above sea level). “Kovářova rokle” (Blacksmith’s Ravine) in one of the most often-visited attractions and is accessible from another well-known and often-visited place called “Hvězda” (The star), which offers an entrancing view of Broumov´s basin.
The Benedictine monastery is listed in the Czech national cultural landmarks list for its architectural and cultural value. Today’s appearance is the result of the Baroque reconstruction from the designs of Kilian Ignac Dietzenhofer, carried out during the years 1726 – 1748. This monastery is undisputably exceptional because a replica of the Turin Shroud is on display there for a limited time, and visitors can see one of the oldest monastery libraries in the Czech republic there.
ZOO Dvůr Králové nad Labem
The zoo in Dvůr Králové nad Labem is ranked among the most famous and beautiful zoos in the Czech Republic. It is situated in the Krokonoše foothills. Its diversified terrain puts the finishing touches to the atmosphere of the wilderness. The zoo is home to almost 2.500 animals coming from many foreign countries and most of the continents of the world. Visitors will find there the greatest collection of African animals in Europe. The zoo trip is not suitable only for children, adults will be astonished by a bus drive through the Safari, where they face the real African wilderness.
Poland
On the other side of the border you can visit the town of Kudowa Zdroj. This spa town with many mineral wells is located at the Gory Stolowe foothills and offers romantic walks, a great number of coffee houses, the nearest Aquapark and the possibility of shopping at the near-by market hall.
