CZ: Trip To Hazmburk

We have on our site have written about Hazmburk, but except the basic information you could not learn any more about their visit to this monument, dating back until 1335, when it was built by House Rabbits, who held the estate until the middle of 16th century . 

Basaltic hill towering over endless Labe plains is a kind of foretaste of the forthcoming volcanic Czech Středohoří (middle size of mountain), dominated volcano Milešovka, which we have already paid several times. The history of the castle learn enough on the notice boards or in an electronic encyclopedia, but we will be interested to know how best to go to him, where refreshments and to enjoy the EXACT all day trip as I experienced it myself.

Some of the early morning trains running from the main railway station Holesovice or vice versa or from north of Ústí nad Labem, Česká Lípa, or we move about 80 miles to the station Lovosice. Lovosice tourist offer too excited, but due to the following train lines in them I will not as long. Regional local Yellow with you in less than fifteen minutes get into the fields where they have attracted all our attention with the famous conical mountain silhouette of the castle, which together with the hill Klapý operates from a slight look like a pretty solid climb. But not to worry. The best stop to exit the train and the beginning of the march is a tiny little stations under Hazmburk Slatina, where you go dirt road and endless alley directly behind the nose to the foot of the hill, under which lies on this side village of Slatina. Morning and afternoon refreshments are working only in the form of a typical general store operated here smiling girl from Asia. Otherwise, the village is dead. Maybe it was too, even in times of KH Macha or Svatopluk Cech, who are also looking for inspiration for his literary works. Where the gentlemen used to eat it is not known. Well, we will not go off into the obscure history, but back on the road. From Slatina leads to the castle is not particularly well-marked path, you probably assumed that most visitors will come from the other side of the village Klapý, but more on that in a moment.

Relentless climb leads along the first modern houses, quite unforgettable, which originated as emergency relief following the devastating floods of 2002. Keeps increasing, the field is slowly changing the way the forest trail that undulates like a switchback on the northeastern flank of the basalt hill. Within minutes, however, we are at the castle gate, which is possible (as in our case) is closed. Only the uninformed tourist embarks on a journey without being discovered details of opening hours, respectively season in which the castle is open to the public. In the summer, but you would probably mistake this country could not. After a while, however, we find that the walls in one area goes. So I call on the person who is responsible for the moment, although the castle is open all year round, but he wants it after all just a little climbing prowess. Climb a rock garden is small, which is also part of the walls and Hazmburk is ours! Yes, although you can argue that a similar entry to the building is illegal, but there really is no reason, then perhaps moral, why pull 100 km on a trip in vain. Consolation to us was that after we visited the castle several other couples and families with whom we at that time enjoyed a certain solidarity bond together against the offense. It should be noted that in the ruins of the castle is not really anything broken, ​​provided they do not wear so with you on trips or dynamite digger ...

The castle is beautifully arranged, consisting of two towers - Black and White. As a relief from the top of the mountain suggests a distance - they also form a full profile of the castle, just as it is in ruins and castles Bezděz. Under the black rock is the most low-lying, is a beautiful view towards the northeast, where it is under good weather conditions to see the beautiful Elbe dominated by mountains and north and Rip Litoměřicko. From the top of the White Tower is visible to the ridges of the Ore Mountains and especially in the Czech Central Mountains in the foreground with Milešovka, Lovoš and other volcanic peaks. Looking to the west is the village Klapý see who will be our next stop after descent lightweight and encircled by mountains.

Klapý is an agricultural village with 500 inhabitants, and except for parking out of the castle does not offer too much. Reportedly, there is also a restaurant looking at the socialist cultural centre, but we did not find it, just as it was in Slatina. Empty streets I ascribe the February frost rather than lazy locals. Perhaps you'll have more luck in the summer with gastronomic experiences.

Now we waited about 5 kilometres route along the road towards town Libochovice. Around the first of many names today voiced that tells you something. It should be noted that libochovičtí citizens based on fear, and even stray and frozen tourists information where to eat, drink and where is tucked a little old Jewish cemetery, we provide. But I would again ahead of myself. I journey on the road quickly passes, the castle is slowly receding and gradually disappear with the coming of an early winter evening, as shown in the accompanying panoramic photo.

And Libochovice town is closer and closer. The most interesting local sights is a Renaissance castle built by the Earl Gundakar of Ditrichštejn in 1682 to 83. To him also adjoins an impressive park with plenty of groomed paths, pavilions and an orangery. The whole area is included on the list of national cultural heritage. Among the famous natives of the city and indeed the castle is mainly Czech physiologist, anatomist, biologist and poet of J. E. Purkyně. For more information about current events can be traced back as needed to the website of the city or in other encyclopedic sources about Libochovice.

After the tiring journey we were interested in the three things: where is the Jewish cemetery, train station and a pub. We are pleased to see that everything what we desire, is set up on about one square kilometre, which is worn out then appreciate each hiker. The cemetery is definitely worth a visit because it is pretty wild, overgrown and mostly open. Station and the popular restaurant with a good lager Louny then divided just a few steps. The train runs on weekends every two hours and hundred kilometre long trip to Prague takes with change in Lovosice about an hour and a half.

So what is waiting for you?

• 200 km of railway trains with one or two transfers all the way.

• 8 to 10 kilometre easy walk through the family of the village of Slatina - Castle

Hazmburk - Klapý and Libochovice.

• Visit the Castle, Libochovice Castle, Jewish cemetery and some restaurants.

I recommend you also take a light lunch and snacks and plenty of fluids, as a snack on the way it is not miraculous. In summer the situation is certainly better. So have a nice trip...

Text: Jan Chaloupka

Photo: Jan Chaloupka and Tereza Překlasová