The words Cesky Raj translates into English as Czech Paradise. Here is information we found about the area where we were hiking. The Vranov castle was founded in early 15th century by Hynek of Waldstein. It is situated on a narrow sandstone cliff on the right bank of the Jizera river and with its length of 400 metres it ranks among the largest rock castles in the Czech Republic. Further owners have built a more comfortable family seat down in the valley, and the old castle has been abandoned. In 1802 the manor of Malá Skála was bought by Franz Zacharias Römisch, a merchant from Mikulášovice, who has changed the ruins into a romantic monument - Pantheon. Its surroundings have been decorated with various inscriptions, sarcophaguses and monuments, reminding of brave heroes and soldiers, outstanding artists,
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