Region
The region of Semily is situated in the north-eastern Bohemia. Axis of the region is the Jizera River which interconnects the neighbouring regions of Giant Mountains, Bohemian Paradise and Jizerské Mountains with its inflows. Towns such as Jilemnice, Lomnice nad Popelkou, Semily, Vysoké nad Jizerou and Železný Brod are situated at the foothills of the Giant Mountains and Jizerské Mountains. This countryside has been sought for by artists and tourists for its attraction since the 19th century.
The countryside has deservedly gained an epithet “The countryside of far outlooks and deep valleys”. At the foothills of Giant Mountains and Jizerské Mountains, enriched with deep valleys of the Jizera, Oleška or Kamenice rivers, there are rich opportunities of outlook places. The beauty of the countryside can be admired from iron and wooden outlook towers as well as many observation points, tourist paths or rocks.
The line between climatic, geologic and vegetative differences of landscape types of frontier mountains in the north and warmer southern area of Bohemian Paradise created conditions for birth of a locality which is interesting from the landscape and scientific point of view. The Semily region offers a number of natural matters of interest. Some of them are recorded for their exceptionality as small-area protected territories. Natural reserves aren’t usually accessible to tourists, with respect to preservation of precious zoological and botanical species.
Geological and botanical peculiarity of this region is supported by a whole range of tiny architectural sights which introduce local folk architecture. In communities of the Semily region we can see timbered houses typical for Podkrkonoší, along the roads your eye will be caught by chapels, belfries, crosses, Calvary and statues of saints. In some towns even complexes of the original house-building were preserved, and they are aptly referred to as “village in a town”. Even though in case of the folk architecture the buildings are rather modest, not too pompous, their value is incalculable. Right these help us to learn more about the lives of our ancestors. The criterion of reputability and wealth of towns and communities in the past used to be churches. All of them are linked with similar fate. Bricked buildings which grew in the place of wooden churches were rebuilt several times, glorified, but also plundered and damaged. Churches can pride themselves not only with stirred fate, but often also with artistically valuable interiors.
The settlement of Pojizeří in far-back prehistory is proved by archaeological discoveries in pseudo-carst caves. Agriculture has always belonged to the basic ways of living of the poor despite of the fact that submontane soil has never been much fertile. People learned how to use the power of water for their benefit; mills grew on the banks of rivers and streams, later there were water power plants. Fortunately, industry, mainly textile and woodworking, didn´t stigmatize local environment as much as it happened in other regions of our republic. Activity of the man is illustrated by technical interests, for example the bridges over the Jizera River.
The rich history of the Semily region is kept and documented by a wide network of museums. Ethnical expositions introduce lives of plain people in Podkrkonoší and traditional crafts such as weaving, glass-making or gemstone manufacturing. Geologic evolution and changes of the landscape are included, too. Among the greatest attraction we can find movable Nativity scenes, expositions of skiing or glass-making.
The Semily region is rich in romantic ruins rather than monumental castle and chateau buildings such as those concentrated in neighbouring Bohemian Paradise. The ravages of time have left their traces not only on the ruins themselves, but also on the access paths. However, tourist paths always lead us with certainty to our destination and reward us with insight of history and quite often also with a view of the surroundings.
Rugged landscape inwrought with deep valleys and peaceful nature makes an ideal place to spend an active holiday with a family or friends in. A longstanding tradition of hiking in Bohemia corresponds with the number of marked paths and tourist paths in the region. A dense network of cycling paths is marked for all age and performance groups. In summer, bus lines for tourists from the Bohemian Paradise and Giant Mountains are available; they are customised to transport bicycles. Technical Help to cyclists is quite new service. It is a network of marked points where cyclists can buy spare parts and repair their bicycles by self-help in case of breakdown.
It is possible to view the world from a horseback in numerous farms with horse breeding and ride offering.
Among modern adrenalin sports we can find there paragliding and mountaineering. The centre of paragliding is the Kozákov hill. Mountaineering favourers are usually directed at the Maloskalsko region or to the rock towns of the Bohemian Paradise. In spring months there are excellent conditions for water sports such as rafting on the Jizera River and its inflows. Diving favourers will enjoy themselves in Jesenný.
For summer recreation it is possible to use natural and artificial open air pools supplemented with ballparks or playgrounds for children. Cool water of the Jizera River, which belongs to the cleanest streams in the Czech Republic, can pleasantly refresh you. Recovery of life in rivers and ponds makes good conditions for fishery.
In wintertime the region can pride itself with rich snowfalls. Ski resorts of the region represent affordable offer with corresponding quality, especially for families with children. Cultural and sports self-realization is supplemented with a rich regional choice of activities. Besides towns which co-create the offer of services, countryside with traditional architecture of Pojizeří and keeping folk traditions and holidays is another nice attraction.
The landscape with peaceful nature, rich tourist interests offer, tiny and significant monuments, varied options of self-realization in summer and winter months, and last but not least - the neighbourhood of Giant Mountains and the Bohemian Paradise, it all makes the Semily region an alternative for a pleasantly spent holiday.