JIČÍN

Jičín is an urban conservation area whose every street breathes history. It boasts some wonderful sights that date from Wallenstein's time, as well as modern architecture. Jičín is known as the gateway to the Bohemian Paradise and is also famous for the fairy-tale character of the robber Rumcajs. During the season, visitors can enjoy a lavish range of activities during the town's Extended Weekends as well as the traditional Jičín Town of Fairy-tales festival in September.

Jičín's golden age came during the era of Duke Albrecht von Wallenstein and at the end of May every two years the town holds the Wallenstein Festival in his honour. In 1624, when Albrecht von Wallenstein acquired the town, it was a little provincial community with wooden houses and a chateau badly damaged by a recent explosion. The duke decided to turn Jičín into his grand residential town, but was only able to carry out part of his plan. The townhouse parts of Jičín were demolished, new districts were built, and imposing representative buildings and purely single-purpose ones were also constructed.

What made Wallenstein's architecture so unique was his 'composed landscape'. The buildings were connected by lines that ran like landscape axes from the town to landmarks on the horizon. The composed landscape also includes the four rows of linden trees forming an alley almost two kilometres long that leads from the town centre to the Loggia, a remarkable and imposing suburban hunting lodge with extensive gardens. The formerly neglected summer residence now hosts a lavish and highly unconventional programme of cultural events and activities.

A Carthusian monastery was built in nearby Valdice, and work began in the monastery church to build the family tomb of the Lords "of Wallenstein and Frýdlant". Wallenstein was buried in this tomb after his death. However, a hundred and fifty years later the monastery was closed and the duke's remains were exhumed and taken to Mnichovo Hradiště.

Wallenstein also attempted to establish a bishopric and a university in Jičín. He summoned the Jesuits to the town and founded a Jesuit College and a grammar school. He planned to build a Franciscan monastery in Veliš and a Dominican monastery in the newly-founded part of the town. He converted the former Smiřický chateau on Jičín's main square into a large palace, and had St. James' Church built very close by.

Homage is now paid to the duke's work and contribution to the town of Jičín in the Wallenstein Museum and Mint, opened in 2020. It contains two replicas of minting machines, and you can even try minting your own coin.

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