Turnov

Town · 🇨🇿 Czechia

Population 14,577

Area 22 km²

Time zone Europe/Prague

Official website www.turnov.cz

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Featured Lists

Olaf1541 / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Turnov Essentials

Turnov serves as the central hub of the Bohemian Paradise region, defined by its historic architecture and proximity to the Hruboskalsko rock city. The town is famous for its centuries-old tradition of garnet cutting and jewelry making, showcased at Galerie Granát. Key landmarks include the Gothic Valdštejn Castle, the Empire-style Church of St. Francis of Assisi, and a rare surviving North Bohemian synagogue. Nearby, the ruins of Kozlov and various scenic viewpoints like Raisova vyhlídka offer perspectives of the Jizera River valley and surrounding sandstone landscapes.

11 places

Lukáš Kalista / CC BY-SA 4.0

Best of Turnov: Castles & Views

Turnov serves as the gateway to the Bohemian Paradise, a region defined by its diverse architectural heritage and sandstone landscapes. This selection includes Valdštejn, the area's oldest castle, and the Renaissance Hrubý Rohozec chateau. The Museum of the Bohemian Paradise showcases regional mineralogy and gemstone traditions, while viewpoints like Raisova vyhlídka and Kalvárie offer panoramas of the Jizera valley and surrounding rock formations. The ruins of Zbirohy castle provide a glimpse into medieval fortifications nestled within the forest.

6 places

COH / CC BY-SA 4.0

Hidden Ruins & Chapels

Explore the lesser-known historical sites of the Bohemian Paradise near Turnov. This collection features the rock castle ruins of Kozlov and Zbirohy, alongside the secondary castle remains at Kavčiny. The list includes the Baroque municipal chapel of St. John of Nepomuk at Valdštejn Castle and solemn memorials dedicated to the victims of both World Wars. You will also find a monument to the renowned Czech historian Josef Pekař, offering a quiet perspective on the region's medieval architecture and cultural legacy.

7 places

Outdoor Heritage & Landmarks

This collection features a blend of historical monuments in Turnov and natural sandstone formations within the Hruboskalsko rock city. It includes Baroque religious sculptures like the Pieta and the Farewell of Christ, alongside memorials dedicated to historian Josef Pekař and Sokol founder Miroslav Tyrš. The list also highlights distinct rock towers such as Jezevec and Mohykán, which are characteristic of the Bohemian Paradise landscape.

13 places

David Meskář / CC-BY-SA

Religious Heritage of Turnov

Turnov’s religious landscape features a diverse collection of sacred architecture spanning several centuries. The town preserves the only synagogue in North Bohemia to survive the German occupation, alongside significant Catholic structures. Highlights include the early Gothic church of St. John the Baptist in Nudvojovice, the Baroque chapel of St. John of Nepomuk at Valdštejn Castle, and the former convent church of St. Francis of Assisi. These sites represent the town's historical development from the medieval period through the Baroque era.

5 places