Location: Ústi nad Labem Region
The Bohemian Switzerland National Park (Národní park České
Švýcarsko), which was established on 1st January 2000 and covers an
area of nearly 80km2, is the youngest one of the four national parks
in the Czech Republic. On its northern side borders itis linked to
the Saxon Switzerland National Park in Germany.
The National Park is famous of the unique sandstone rock towns
with the occurance of rare plant and animal species and islands of
well-preserved (pine, herb-rich beech) woods. Natural values of the
National Park have also been acknowledged within the European Union
by including it in the prestigious list of European conservation
areas called Natura 2000. The park also represents beautiful samples
from the local folk architecture (half-timbered houses etc.) in the
village of Mezná.
The most widely known rock formation of the Bohemian Switzerland
National Park is the Pravčická Brána, the largest natural stone
bridge on our continent and symbol of the entire area. The span of
the arch at the bottom is 26.5 m, the height of the opening is 16 m,
width 7-8 m, minimum thickness 3 m, and the surface area of the
bridge is 21 m above its base.
Location: Duchcov, Ústi nad Labem Region
This chateau was originally built in Renaissance style at the end
of the 15th century. In 1642, the famous Valdštejn
(Wallenstein) family acquired it and the building was reconstructed
in Baroque style. At the turn of the 18th and 19th
century classic adaptations were carried out. In 1921 the Valdštejn
family sold the chateau to the state and the premises were turned
into an office. The building were later reconstructed in 1961.
The famous Italian adventurer, Giacomo Casanova spent his last years in Duchcov (old
german name: Dux) and worked in the library of the chateau, and wrote
his memoirs. When Casanova died, he was buried at the city cemetery,
but the exact place of his grave was forgotten over the years and
remains unknown today. If you go to Duchcov, you can visit an exhibition
about his life in the chateau, and you can also see a beautiful collection of
historical furnitures and Baroque sculptures here.
