Chateau Mcely

Jabkenice Park - 1200 acres of stunning forest, 60 acres of fish-filled lakes and ponds, 400 fallow deer, flocks of ducks and pheasants - adjacent and linked to Chateau Mcely by the NA HRABĚCÍ Path. Inviting both for romantic strolls and adventurous hiking, bicycling and nostalgic horse and carriage rides. Bedřich Smetana Memorial - Located at the edge of Jabkenice Park. Visit a permanent exhibition dedicated to this world-renowned composer. You can listen to your favorite Smetana works, or go for a walk along the Smetana Path, a special place that inspired some of his greatest compositions. Jabkenice is 6 kms from Chateau Mcely. Opening hours: April – September Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 a. m. – 5:00 p. m. October - March weekends (you need to book in advance) Last guided tour starts at 4:30 p. m. Admission fee: Full price: 50 CZK, Reduced price: 20 CZK, Family price: 90 CZK (maximum 4 persons, max. 2 adults) Smetana Path A breathtaking, 3.5-km path around Jabkenický Park starting and finishing at the park's gate near the gamekeeper's house. The path will take you through woods, along beautiful lake shores and a picturesque old wooden bridge. You will also come across a garden house that was built near the spot where the famous composer would sit for hours looking for inspiration in the surrounding nature. Park's History Initially, there was no game in the park. It was only in 1803 - 1804 when the local forester from Jabkenice Mr. Jungman improved it by building a beautiful "Gloriet" with a garden and a pond next to it. Nowadays, it is the gamekeeper's house Loučenka. The first elks were brought in in 1804 from the forests of Křivoklát. In the times of Prince Alexander Thurn Taxis, exotic animals were introduced to the park as well, e.g. mara kangaroos, american buffaloes, emues, flamingoes, japanese geese, wild turkeys and even grouse. The game park was discontinued in 1943 and reopened in 1964.

A village of arts and crafts where you can view artisans at work and even women as blacksmiths, candle makers, masons, potters, rope-makers, and weavers. You can then buy their products at the medieval market. Also make sure to visit the famous local herbal gardens and the natural product store. It is 27 km s from Chateau Mcely. Open from: 10am- 4pm (daily except Mondays) From April 28 to September 25 Admission: Adults 90 CZK Children 50 CZK

One of the most beautiful cities in the world. The first settlement dates back to the 5th century A.D. and has always been "a road junction" of business and trade due to its strategic location in the very heart of Europe. Construction of Prague Castle began in the 9th century.

The history of Kutna Hora is inseparably tied to silver mining; in the second half of the 13th century, the former mining colony quickly changed to a King’s town which, through its wealth, competed with Prague in the domains of agriculture, politics and even culture. The turning point in Kutna Hora’s history came in 1300, when King Václav II issued the Lus Regale Montanorum code of laws, and carried out the mint reform. You can find Kutná Hora 50 km from Chateau Mcely.

This is the smallest zoo in the Czech Republic with more than a hundred protected animals specializing in rare and endangered species of birds. You will literally meet the animals as some of them move freely within the zoo, e.g. the beautifully colored iguana which likes to sit on the well. Children will no doubt love the fact that feeding some of the animals is allowed. You can purchase bags with special granules at the ticket office. The animals that may be fed include guanacos, buffalo, goats, antelopes and piglets. The antelopes feed gently from your hands. Children can also enjoy a slide and a carousel, and for those who just want to relax there are benches and a snack-bar. The Zoo Chleby is 12 kms south from Chateau Mcely. Opening hours: April – October 8:00 a. m. – 6:00 p.m. November – March 8:00 a. m. – 4:00 p.m. Admission fee: 70 CZK

The museum was established in 1967 and its situated 33 km from Chateau Mcely. Currently, the museum is made up of 32 buildings, mainly moved from the area of the central Elbe region. It is a typical example of this region’s folk architecture from the 18th and 19th century. The traditional Czech cottage in its centre (shown in picture) was, by the end of the 19th century, an Ethnographic museum, and contains an exposition of traditional Elbe-region farming, household textile making, folk clothing, folk art and architecture in the Elbe region. Open from: 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. (daily except Monday) April 19 – October 31 Admission: Adults 50 CZK Children, Students, Pensioner 30 CZK Children up to the age of 6 Free animal 20 CZK

The stud farm in Kladruby (59 km from Chateau Mcely) was established in 1579 by Emperor Rudolf II. You don’t actually need to be a lover of horses in order to be captivated by the attraction and beauty of the horse-breeding farm and museum, but if you are one, you will feel as if you are in the seventh heaven. The most famous of the local breeds are the old-Kladruby white horses, which were bred here from the first half of the 19th century. The land is covered with huge interlaced paths lined with old trees, which will leave you with a deep, long term experience. Open from: Viewings are held daily except Mondays from April to October Always from 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The fairy tale state-owned castle, Hrádek u Nechanic (Little Castle near Nechanice, 48 km from Chateau Mcely), is the oldest and most striking building from the romantic period in the Czech Republic. The castle presents a well-known example of romantic architecture inspired by the Tudor-Gothic style. Based on the design of Crewe Hall in Cheshire County in England, it was built between 1839 and 1857 for Earl František Arnošt of Harrach by the Viennese architect Karl Fischer. Valuable furnishings and works of art from all of Europe, and dating from various time periods, can be found at the castle.

An empire-style chateau and natural cultural monument. Built between 1802 and 1822, Jan Rudolf Chotek, the highest burgrave of Czech kingdom, let it be built as his summer home. The designer of this project was Dresden architect Ch. F. Schuricht. The appearance of the chateau has not changed since its inception. Throughout the interior of the chateau you can find an exposition of the Chotek family, a picture gallery of works of 18th and 19th century European masters, an empire library with more than 30,000 bound books, and the chateau theatre with stage technology and props from the middle of the 19th century. The Kačina Chateau is situated 51 km from Chateau Mcely.

Mladá Boleslav (28 km from Chateau Mcely) is a city with a rich history and a widely developed industry. The oldest history of the city dates back to the first half of the 10th century, when during the rule of Boleslav II, the Premysl fort, Nova Boleslav was created here. It lasted until 1262. During the more than one thousand years of the city’s history, there were both periods of advancement and decline. From the end of the 15th century, to the beginning of the 17th century, the city was a famous center of the Czech Unity of Brethren. This favorably manifested itself in schools, architecture, and in the standard of community life. Škoda Auto Museum Cars under the name of Škoda have already been in production for over 100 years. Only four automobile makers in the world can claim such a long-term, uninterrupted tradition. Open yourself to a world of the first automobiles, racing enthusiasts and inventors. Take a trip in time to the 19th century, touch your own personal history, and in the end take a look at the near future. You will find the following three exhibition areas in the museum: 1. 100 years of the company, 2. New exposition “Sleeping Beauty” (vehicles waiting for renovation), 3. Motor Gallery. There is a kid’s corner will a colorful array of competitions and games provided for your children.

The city of Jičín can be found about 37 km from Chateau Mcely. It is the opening gateway to Český Ráj (Czech Paradise) and to Prachovské skály (Prachovské Rocks). We are first introduced to Jičín as an estate in Queen Guta’s document from August 1, 1293. It became a city sometime between the 13th and 14th century. The city, established around a rectangular town square which is bordered on all sides by arcades, was protected by walls with strengthened ramparts and it was encompassed by a moat.

Czech Paradise is located less than one hundred kilometers north-east of Prague. This romantic setting, which lies on the central flow of the Jizera River, is home to an assortment of natural beauty and rich historic monuments – castles, chateaux, and folk architecture. So this is why, in the 19th century, guests of the Sedmihorky spas started calling this part of the country Český Ráj (Czech Paradise).

The method of production was originally established on traditional cut lead-crystal with rich decors which was then hand-painted, sanded and engraved on usable and decorative glass. The glassworks does not have its own smelting works and buys its raw material for further refining. The company offers unique glass files intended mainly for nail filing, as well as various collection of beverage services and original pieces designed for special purposes. The modern polishing shop enables the polishing of lead-crystal and leadless glass. In 2008, the glassworks went through an extensive reconstruction. If prior arrangements are made, it is possible to take part in a personal excursion and get to know how the glassworks operate, which may prove to be a very interesting experience. Goods which customers buy in the store directly at the glassworks, or from the catalogues or web pages, can be sent by the factory as cash on delivery.