Pantheon in Cesky Raj - Great Hiking

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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, poets and writers or significant historical events. In the very heart of the inner castle there is the Hall of the Battle of Leipzig 1813. The dominant of Pantheon is a neogothic summer-house that was built instead of a former chapel in 1826.

This castle on a narrow and steep rock ridge is also called Skala and was built around the year 1425. The core of the castle is composed of a multi-storey palace surrounded on three sides by rock blocks. Legends and some Medieval depictions support the idea that there were windmills on the rocks. The deteriorating castle exchanged owners and in 1803 came into the hands of F. Z. Romisch, a failed, excited, slightly mad romantic. He turned Vranov into a Pantheon, covering the rock with a great number of memorial inscriptions and monuments, noting various heroic acts and personalities and busts of the three emperors, victors over Napoleon, were installed in the Hall of Heroes. On the sunny slopes of the Pantheon, he ultimately established a vineyard (the northernmost in Bohemia). The neo-Gothic chapel, a small path carved in the cliff, caves and various memorial plaques have been preserved

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Photos

Church above the village
Our first (excited) view of the Cesky Raj area after we got off the bus.

Part of the church area
We made it up the HILL. Boy was it steep. This is a side area of the church in the previous picture.

Village from up the hill
Now we looked back down on the area from which we had started. Nice little town of Mala Skala.

Church?
From inside the ruins of an old building.

Entry to ??
This lovely arch is sitting in the midst of the forest.

What a surprise
While walking in an area previously inhabited by kings & queens, you often find unexpected ruins which raise all sorts of dreams and questions in your mind.

King in his church/palace?
While you are wondering, you may dream yourself as the owner of a vast area, surveying your lands from one of the strong buildings you own.

Ancient tree/cute girl?
Nancy dreaming away as she sits on the roots of a very old tree.

Gravestone/tomb
This had some writing on it and appeared to be a crypt where someone had been buried.

Limestone outcroppings
Limestone outcroppings are all over this area from at least Hrensko on the German border to Cesky Raj. Very amazing and wonderful for hiking/climbing.

Mountains, valleys & rock ledges
What magnificent countryside when seen from high up in the hills.

Mountains & valleys
The mountains in the distance were often still snow covered. I. at the seminary told us that in many years the snow can last until the end of June .

Church high above the valley
From the hotel room we could see this church HIGH above the town. When we had climbed to the top of one trail, we could see the church way DOWN below us. We are good climbers!