Jičín Palace — Attraction in okres Jičín

Named after the most notorious warlord of the Thirty Years’ War Albrecht von Waldstein, Jicin’s pretty market square is practically nothing more than Waldstein’s creation. Surrounded by an arcaded passageway that still retains the full flavour of its 17th-century origin, Valdstejnovo namesti is Jicin’s throbbing heart, an outdoor marketplace in the morning and a promenade later during the day. The best foot access to the square is through the Valdicka brana, a mighty medieval town gate built in bricks, not less than a century before Waldstein’s course of reconstructions. Its square Romanesque tower, restored to its former glory offers a panoramic view over the town and beyond. On one side of the gate stands a towerless Baroque place of worship, a modest Jesuit church that is as old as the town gate and contains pretty stucco around the presbytery but is otherwise plain and dusty. Flanked by Waldstein’s Renaissance zamek which dominates one whole length of the square, Valdstejnovo namesti owns its fame mostly to this impressive chateau, a winsome yellow stone building with symmetrical rows of windows, outstanding roof parapets and a breathtaking variety of heraldic emblems and allegorical sculptures. On the downside, Waldstein’s chateau disappoints inside. Its austere chambers do not do justice to this otherwise great building. The museum housed on one of the chateau’s floors is mediocre and uncared-for. The only redeeming factor is the conference room, a huge hall adorned with period furniture, mirrors, chandeliers and piecemeal memorabilia. Somewhere near the middle of the square (but why not in the middle?) is the pretty Marian Column, a decorated stone statue characteristic of many of the country’s medieval market squares. The corner house on the north edge of the square is Pension Ceske Koruny, Jicin’s oldest accommodation institution. Jicin’s old square is an impressive place to visit but is unfortunately marred (and polluted) by...

Not really that special. You pay about 20 crowns at the top of the tower then you can go outside and enjoy the view. Which is a nice one but that's the only thing to it. There are some puppets halfway up the tower but they are a bit dusty. It's about 32 meter in height. If you're into scenic views ot a city then you should definitely...

Předem říkám, že 5 hvězd dávám za celý Jičín. Samotný zámek je za 3, protože přístupná je pouze galerie a muzeum a samozřejmě nevelký park se zbytky městského opevnění. Jičín, který velmi bohatý šlechtic Albrecht z Valdštejna povýšil na centrum frýdlantského vévodství, nese jeho stopu. Velké náměstí nese jeho jméno a stojí zde historická meteorologická stanice a mariánský sloup. V rohu stojí kostel a dominanta města Valdická věž (otevřená pouze v sezóně) nazvaná podle nedalekých Valdic s bývalým kartouzským klášterem, dnes neblaze proslulou věznicí. Zavítat můžete také k místnímu rybníku nebo k nejstarší vyhlídce v Českém ráji Čeřovce, dobře utajené v lesoparku. Občerstvení je zde dostatek, především kolem pěší zóny. Další vzpomínkou na Albrechta je lipová alej, ale to už v...