Turnov

The heart of the Bohemian Paradise is the town of Turnov.

The town was founded in the middle of the 13th century by Jaroslav and Havel of the Markvartice family on a promontory above the river Jizera. Later lords of the city became important Czech families Vartenberk and Smiřič. Turnov was often plagued by raids by troops. It was burned down by the Lusatian Crusaders in 1468 and in 1643 Swedes. A great fire also threatened the city in 1707. Despite all the misfortunes, however, crafts developed rapidly here. The first ones were established here in the 17th century glassworks for the production of "fired glass composition", ie the manufacture of artificial gemstones from glass. In the 16th century. A number of grinding workshops worked here, which modified and they cut local and imported precious stones. Trade with them flourished especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, when they were exported all over the world. The tradition of jewelry production is still developing in Turnov. There is also a secondary art and industrial school for stone, metal and jewelry production, which - as the first in Europe - it was founded in 1884. Today, Turnov is a tourist center of the Bohemian Paradise. It is an ideal starting point for hiking Hruboskalsko, Maloskalsko and Klokočské rocks. The administration of the Bohemian Paradise Protected Landscape Area is also located here. The Museum of the Bohemian Paradise is one of the most common destinations. visitors to the region. Since 1886, he has been collecting evidence of the natural wealth of the Bohemian Paradise and its history. Unique exhibits are dedicated to precious stones and jewelry. They are complemented by the Department of Archeology, History and Ethnography. The permanent exhibition also includes a unique panoramic painting by Mikoláš Alš Hrubá Skála "(8.5 x 10 m) from 1895. In July 2000, after a complete reconstruction, a mineralogical-geological exposition was opened, which is dedicated to geological development of the Turnov region and the entire planet.

Turnov has its history, monuments and personalities, as well as an excellent location. It lies on the river Jizera surrounded by the picturesque landscape of the Bohemian Paradise, the landscape sandstone rocks, valleys, forests, romantic ruins, fairytale castles, chateaux and distinctive folk architecture. However, it also rightly carries designation "heart of Bohemian Paradise". The town of Turnov is an ideal starting point for trips to this unique landscape.