Nature and landscapePublished by Central Bohemia Region, 2008www.centralbohemia.cz

Information Centre of Central Bohemia RegionHusova 19, 110 00 Praha 1phone: +420 222 222 398, info@centralbohemia.cz A

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This project is co-fi nanced by the European Union and Central Bohemia Region.

Europe

CzechRepublic

CentralBohemiaRegion

Prague

www.centralbohemia.cz

Křivoklátregion—searchingforthesecretoftheancientdeepforests

By the Middle Ages, the deep forests of Křivoklát in the Beroun region had become a popular hunting grounds of Bohemian rulers, who built medieval castles here, including the enormous Křivoklát Castle.

Thanks to the royal passion for hunting, the Křivoklát region was largely spared from human interference. Today, this environment of Central European hills and lower highlands is of exceptional value and is a protected nature and landscape area. Nearly two-thirds of the territory, which is interwoven with a network of valleys, streams and rivers, is covered with naturally dense deciduous

and mixed forests. They provide a haven for many species of plants and wildlife, which under similar geographical conditions elsewhere have already disappeared or are critically endangered. The vast protected landscape area is also a UNESCO biosphere reserve. www.krivoklatsko.ochranaprirody.cz

KoněprusyCaves—theheartoftheBohemianKarst

The sensational discovery of a money-forging workshop from the 15th century in the upper levels of this cave system further illuminated the local legend about a shepherd who met a bandit here and was given money.

The longest cave system in the Czech Republic, which originated from the action of underground water, measures two kilometres. It is divided into three levels that are interconnected by chimneys and chasms, where the difference between the highest and lowest point is 70 metres. It is possible for the public to visit two levels of the stalactite-adorned caves. www.caves.cz

BohemianKarst—atripintotheEarth’sprehistory

The fierce beauty of dazzling white canyons and gorges above the Berounka River, caves inhabited by bats, chasms as well as monumental abandoned limestone quarries with crystal clear lakes, deciduous forests, rare warmth-requiring flora, protected species of small animals as well as notable cultural monuments: All this is offered to lovers of the romantic by the surprisingly diverse karstic countryside that stretches from the capital city of Prague (Praha) to Beroun.

The biggest limestone environment in the Czech Republic, with extensive cave systems, gorges, sinkholes and other features characteristic of karst topography, is also unique in the scheme of world geology and research into the history of the Earth. It became celebrated primarily due to abundant fossil finds from the Paleozoic Era — for example,

a 400-million-year-old coral reef called the Golden Horse is one of the world’s richest Devonian Period palaeontological sites. An abundance of marked hiking and educational trails lead past the natural monuments. Combine a visit to the spectacular Karlštejn Castle with a lovely trip through nature. www.karlstejnsko.info

This harmonic landscape unifies diverse natural conditions with longstanding human use of the land. It is composed of a colourful mosaic of forests, meadows, pastures, fields, ponds, scattered greenery and rural towns and villages. Outstanding cultural monuments echo the beauty of the natural monuments. The dominant silhouette of igneous rock formations, such as Male (Mužský), whose

unforested peak offers excellent vistas in all directions, complements the mysterious rock cities, such as the Příhrazské skály nature reserve with its 178 rock towers. The rocks are home to birds of prey — the Eurasian eagle owl and the common kestrel — as well as to the common swift. www.cesky-raj.info

BohemianParadise—mysteriousrockcities

This picturesque landscape with bizarre rock cities belongs among the most valuable sandstone environments in the world. Since 2005 the unique geological area has been included in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.

Drábskésvětničky—BohemianParadisefromabird’s-eyeview

Life in the rocks? Apparently it is rather advantageous — in the summer it isn’t too hot and in the winter it isn’t too cold. The crags towering high above the countryside and providing excellent vistas were inhabited from prehistoric times; they last provided shelter to refugees hiding out during World War II.

In the 15th century a sentry castle was founded upon seven rocks of uneven height, which were connected by wooden bridges and ladders. Around 30 “rooms” and spaces were carved into the sandstone blocks, including a sanctuary with a stone altar and a raised pulpit. The paths leading among the

rocks and through the surrounding area are a bit of an adventure, but they are well marked and offer interesting views of the beautiful landscape of Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj). www.cesky-raj.info

DžbánNaturePark—alandofspongiliteslopesandcentury-oldbeechtrees

This extensive nature park, valuable both for natural scientists and as a landscape environment, is located at the northwest edge of the Region of Central Bohemia, between the towns of Rakovník, Kladno and Louny.

Atypical of the Central Bohemian landscape, this area gives the impression of an enormous mountain range, even though its summits reach a maximum of only 500 metres above sea level. Its profile, with sharp rifts into deep valleys, was formed by cretaceous plates being thrust upward by tectonic movements in the surrounding area. The red topsoil

of the fields contrasts with the dark green of the renowned hop fields and the creamy spongilite walls of the cottages, giving the region an unmistakable atmosphere. www.rakovnicko.info

Kokořínregion—aparadiseforromantics

This region of rugged sandstone rocks with numerous pits, canyons, gorges and caves, extensive forests and wetlands, sprinkled with characteristic half-timbered cottages and farms, is a paradise for romantics looking for a refuge in the bosom of beauteous nature.

Bizarre rock formations spark the human imagination, to which the names of some of them attest — Giant’s Head, Frog, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves or Pot Lid. The rock formations often have been altered by humans, whether for the purpose of habitation or for artistic reasons, transforming them into sculptural works of art.

The variety of climactic conditions enables the occurrence of warmth-requiring as well as cold-tolerant types of vegetation, of which the most valuable are wetland plants. The region is the nesting grounds of rare species of birds, including the peregrine falcon and the black stork. www.kokorin.cz

ŽehuňWildlifeReserveandŽehuňPond—ararenaturecomplex

To the east of the well-known spa town of Poděbrady lies a pair of interesting national nature reserves.

In an expansive forest with vigorous examples of the rare downy, or pubescent, oak there are populous herds of deer, fallow deer and muflon. Many types of mushrooms also grow here, such as the rare Devil’s Bolete (Boletus satanas). The nearby Žehuň Pond, built along the Cidlina River at the end of the 15th century, is an important nesting grounds of water fowl and an important site of rare moisture-requiring vegetation. In the immediate surroundings are endangered types of insects, water molluscs and frogs. www.ipodebrady.cz

St.WenceslasOak—amonumenttothefirstChristianBohemianprince

The St. Wenceslas Oak (Dub sv. Václava) in Stochov, not far from the city of Kladno, is considered to be the oldest and most famous tree in Central Bohemia.

According to legend, St. Ludmila planted this tree in the year 903 in honor of the birth of her grandson, who was to become the Bohemian Prince Wenceslas (and later St. Wenceslas). The true age of the tree is estimated to be 600–900 years old, the diameter of the trunk measures nearly 9 metres, and its height reaches to 14.5 metres. The trunk of the oak is completely hollow, and only one of its main branches is still alive. Near the oak stands a 19th-century statue of St. Wenceslas. www.mestokladno.cz

Blaník—anationalsymbol

The protracted hills in the southern tip of Central Bohemia are dominated by the mythical mountain Great Blaník (638 metres above sea level), inside which, according to legend, sleeps an army of knights led by St. Wenceslas, who, when Bohemia is in its darkest hour, will come to the aid of the Czech nation.

A lovely landscape shaped by forest stands, fields and meadows, alternating with preserves and rocky slopes covered with wild-rose shrubs, and laced with streams and ponds — it is the classic example of a Central Bohemian landscape. This poetic composition is complemented by comely

small villages with a range of historically valuable structures. From a natural sciences perspective, among the most valuable aspects are the peat meadows, pond ecosystems and indigenous beech forests. www.blanicti-rytiri.cz

StředČech(CenterofBohemia)NaturePark—onthetrailofCzech‘tramping’

The deep canyon of the winding Vltava River in the southern part of Central Bohemia was once the famed centre of Czech tramping — a unorganized movement that began in the 1920s and continues to the present day whereby “tramps” head out to the woods on weekends to play music around the campfire and sleep under the stars. The area remains a magnet for thousands of tourists, especially watersport enthusiasts.

Even though the former grace of the deep canyons was diminished by the construction of the so-called Vltava Cascade of dams, the landscape still retains its magic. High above the Slapy Dam tower the steep precipices of the Drbákov and Albertov Rocks National Nature Reserve. Due to their difficult-to-access position, the indigenous oakwood and scree

forests have remained preserved along, with their characteristic vegetation. The peaks of the rocks provide visitors with breathtaking views into the deep river valley. www.centralbohemia.cz

Voděradybeechforests—virginnatureastone’sthrowfromthecity

This national nature monument a few kilometres from the capital city attracts people for walks through its virgin forests with romantic coves, mushroom-hunting, swimming in the nearby ponds, or cycling.

The extensive forest stands have been spared from unwelcome commercial encroachments. Preserved here are stately beech trees, centuries-old oaks and larches soaring to heights of 40 metres. In the forests you can spot rare types of mushrooms as well as endangered forestland

butterflies and birds. One of the foundation stones of the National Theatre in Prague came from the former Kamenka Quarry located here. A range of marked paths, including educational trails, lead through the area. www.laduv-kraj.cz

ŽehušiceDeerPark—thesettingofafairytaleaboutawhitestag

This parkland landscape with an area of 270 hectares is an impressive ensemble of meadows and groves with stately oaks, elms, lindens and ash trees, set in the broad flatlands of the Doubrava River valley.

This deer reserve with an English-style park, established in the first third of the 19th century, is part of the extensive château complex in Žehušice, not far from Čáslav. A world rarity is the keeping, for more than 150 years, of a herd of rare white deer and also a herd of fallow deer in a rather uncommon black mutation. www.obora-zehusice.cz

SázavaValley–forWesternromance,ridethe‘Pacific’

The backbone of the region to the southeast of the capital city of Prague is the Sázava River.Popular is with watersport enthusiasts today and it also carries the memory of the heyday of Czech “tramping” as well as gold-mining.

The Sázava River flows from the east through a forested, hilly landscape and it joins the Vltava River near Prague. The deep canyon-like valleys with steep slopes form a romantic backdrop for medieval castles and citadels, monasteries, churches and remote villages. The “Sázava Pacific” enables you to get acquainted with the normally inaccessible natural beauty along the river, including rare historical monuments. This exceptional railway line was built at the end of the 19th century in difficult rocky terrain. www.posazavi.com

ParkinPrůhonice–asymphonyofcolors

The expansive natural landscape park with an area covering 250 hectares was built at the end of the 19th century by the amateur botanist Count Ernst Emanuel Sylva-Taroucca next to the château in Průhonice, not far from Prague.

Today, several thousand types of trees and bushes grow here, including an extensive collection of rho-dodendrons. Excursion trails and footpaths are complemented by numerous romantic structures, several small ponds and an alpine flower garden. The park is much sought after by visitors, especially in the spring months when it is bursting with the color of hundreds of flowering rhododendrons. www.parkpruhonice.cz

Třemšín–aplacewheretimestandsstill

The highest point in the Southern Brdy mountain range – the Třemšín Highlands (827 metres above sea level) — is the centre of the nature park of the same name.

The typical submontane landscape awash in pine forests contains a well-preserved and exceptional natural site. Especially valuable are the remains of virgin forests — relict pines growing amid silicious schist rocks and scree, and fir-beech woods with spruce. On the summit of the mountain there was once a prehistoric stronghold; today, the remnants of a Gothic castle are visible. This place is associated with many legends and is a popular spot for excursions. www.brdy.info

Europe

CzechRepublic

CentralBohemiaRegion

Prague

www.centralbohemia.cz

Nature and landscapePublished by Central Bohemia Region, 2008www.centralbohemia.cz

Information Centre of Central Bohemia RegionHusova 19, 110 00 Praha 1phone: +420 222 222 398, info@centralbohemia.cz A

regi

on y

ou ju

st c

an’t

mis

s!

This project is co-fi nanced by the European Union and Central Bohemia Region.