The Český ráj Protected Landscape Area lies around Turnov, Mnichovo Hradiště, Sobotka and Jičín and was declared in 1955 as the first in the Czech Republic. It is known for its sandstone rock towns and the ruined Trosky Castle.
The Český ráj Protected Landscape Area lies on territory whose boundaries are roughly marked by the village of Frýdštejn and the towns of Mnichovo Hradiště, Turnov, Sobotka, Jičín and Železný Brod. The elevation ranges from 233 to 744 metres. The administration states that it is the oldest protected landscape area in the country.[1][2]
Declaration
The area was declared in 1955. It covered the territory between Turnov, Mnichovo Hradiště and Sobotka and had an area of 92 km².[1][2] The following year Act No. 40/1956 Coll. (the Act on State Nature Protection) took effect. It defined the concept of a protected landscape area and thereby made it possible to declare extensive territories.[2]
The area was declared anew in 2002 by Government Decree No. 508 under the Act on Nature and Landscape Protection (No. 114/1992 Coll.). Its size then nearly doubled, as the area was extended towards Frýdštejn, Jičín and Sobotka. Today it covers roughly 181 to 182 km².[1][2] Within the Czech Republic, Český ráj is among the protected landscape areas of smaller size.[1]
The purpose of the area is to preserve and restore the natural environment, above all ecosystems, free-living animals and wild-growing plants. It is also meant to maintain the characteristic appearance of the landscape while using its natural resources in an ecologically suitable way.[2]
Nature and landscape
The landscape has a sandstone relief and rock towns. It is formed mainly by blocky sandstones, which were deposited in the Mesozoic on the edges of the sea of that time. The present shape of the rocks was created by the long-term action of forces from the Earth's interior and by erosion.[1] The rock towns are regarded as the symbol of the area. They are Prachovské skály and Hruboskalsko, together with Klokočské skály, Příhrazské skály and Suché skály, which contain caves, pseudokarst depressions, rock arches and rock windows.[1]
From the plateaus there are far views of volcanic hills of Tertiary age, among them Vyskeř, Kozákov and Mužský. At their head stands the ruined Trosky Castle on the basalt hills of Panna and Baba, regarded as the symbol of the region.[1]
The landscape is completed by forests, wetland and mesophilic meadows, ponds, pools, watercourses and spring areas. A number of specially protected or rare plant and animal species live here. Thanks to its position, mountain phenomena meet here with the more warmth-loving species of the lowlands.[1]
Human settlement
The area includes village settlements with folk architecture, small sacral buildings and monuments, among them castles and chateaux, for example Kost Castle and Valdštejn, Hrubá Skála, Frýdštejn or Humprecht. The agriculturally cultivated landscape is evidenced by tree-lined avenues and extensive orchards in which old varieties of fruit trees grow.[1]
Nature House
The administration operates the Český ráj Nature House in Dolánky near Turnov. According to its website, it provides information on natural attractions, places of tourist interest and events, and offers an exhibition on the phenomena of the oldest protected landscape area in the country.[2]