|
 The town of Jičín is situated approximately 85 km north-eastern from Prague. It is often called a gate into the Bohemian Paradise and particularly to the Prachov rocks.
The first mention of Jičín can be found in the document of the queen Guta from 1st August 1293. It became a town at the turn of 13th century. The name of the town is perhaps derived from the name of queen Jitka (Jitčino město - Jitka's town).
The town was founded around the rectangular square that was lined by arcades. Ramparts with bastions surrounded by a moat served for the protection. Some parts of the defense wall can still be seen today, particularly next to the Valdická Gate and along the park behind the chateau.
The town expanded rapidly during the rule of Albrecht of Valdštejn who made the town of Jičín the principal seat of his Frýdlant duchy, built a new mansion and a Jesuit college. The old castle was given a second storey, three courtyards and magnificent arcades. Works were completed in 1633.
The Church of St. James the Great standing next to the castle was later connected to the chateau. The building of the church was started during the rule of Valdštejn but never finished. It is uncompleted until today - there is a spire and cupola missing.
 Following his urban plan, Valdštejn created a large park in the north-eastern part of Jičín. The park with an ostentatious loggia can be reached from the town along an alley of four rows of linden-trees which is 1,7 km long.
A Carthusian monastery was founded only a few hundred meters away in 1627. The Church of the Assumption belonging to the monastery was Valdštejn´s first burial place from 1636 to 1785. The monastery complex is used as a prison today.
Jičín became known thanks to the popular fairy-tale by Václav Čtvrtek who spent his childhood here. He found inspiration in the surroundings and created a fairy-tale character of robber Rumcajs. Academic painter Radek Pilař designed his image. There are two permanent expositions devoted to his work in the premises of the chateau of Jičín and Valdická gate.
Jičín is the ideal starting point for the trips to Prachov rocks or to the romantic places with castle ruins (Veliš, Kumburk) or to Zebín hill with its charming little chapel.
Traditional festival "Jičín - the town of fairy tales" brings wide variety of performances, concerts and activities as well as the opportunity for children to express themselves.
 In 1861 a Museum Society of Jičín District was established. In 1895 museum collections were gathered and in 1950 the exposition moved to the premises of the chateau on the Valdštejn Square. The museum is housed there until today.
The collection consists of more than 80,000 historical objects. The gallery is located in the southern part of the chateau and consists of the works of artists from the region. Paintings from the second half of 19th century and the beginning of 20th century form the base of the gallery collection (works by A. Bubák, J. Mařák, V. Brožík, F. Kaván, …).
Visitors circuit starts with a local history exhibition documenting the history of the region until the World War II, exposition of targets of the Sharp-shooters Society, the conference hall commemorating negotiations of anti-Napoleon alliance in 1813, an exhibition of Valdštejn and the Jesuits. The exhibition of the landscape-forming concept of Albrecht of Valdštejn can be seen in the noble pulpit of the Church of St. James the Great, which is connected with the chateau.
Since 2000, the museum has concentrated on games as a method of mediating comments and organizing interactive exhibits for children. The museum is gradually being converted into museum of game.
For more detailed information click HERE (www.jicinsko.cz , www.interregion.cz) |
)
)