Turnov: Garnet Craft, History and Trails

Turnov combines a craft tradition centred on Bohemian garnets with historic buildings and named cycling routes. If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in Turnov, you’ll find a range of starting points for planning your trip here: exhibitions and local history, as well as routes to explore on foot or by bike.

Crafts and Exhibitions

The Klenotnice (Treasury) at the Muzeum Českého ráje displays jewellery, vessels made of precious and fine stones, and repoussé silverwork from 1891 to 1954. The collection brings together jewellery and vessels with worked silver. Turnov is particularly known for making jewellery set with Bohemian garnets. The 18th century is considered the golden age of stone-working in Turnov; at that time, local craftspeople worked with the famous Bohemian garnets. The Muzeum Českého ráje also has a permanent climbing exhibition, “Horolezectví – Z Českého ráje na vrcholy světa” (Mountaineering – From Český ráj to the Summits of the World). These works therefore date from a later period than the 18th century, which is highlighted as the golden age of stone-working in Turnov.

Historic Buildings

Turnov’s synagogue dates from the early 18th century. It is the only synagogue in North Bohemia to have survived the Nazi occupation. Another historic highlight is the Kostel Narození Panny Marie (Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary), a significant religious building with stained-glass windows.

A Farmstead in the Pojizeří Region

Dlaskův statek is in Dolánky u Turnova, three kilometres from Turnov. It is considered a typical and exceptionally well-preserved example of a house from the Pojizeří region. The former freeholder’s farmstead and manorial farm were built in 1716 in the picturesque Jizera Valley. In 2010, Dlaskův statek was declared a National Cultural Monument of the Czech Republic.

On Foot and by Bike

The Zámecká naučná stezka (Castle Educational Trail) leads from the centre of Turnov through the Jizera Valley towards Hrubý Rohozec. Information boards cover the identification of local animals and plants; check the current signs and access arrangements before your visit. During the summer months, Hrubý Rohozec can be reached via the Zlatá stezka (Golden Trail) and a staircase on the Zámecká naučná stezka. Check the current opening arrangements before your visit.

The cycling routes also cover different geographical areas. National Cycle Route No. 14 passes through Turnov; its named route runs from Hrádek nad Nisou via Liberec and Český Dub to Jičín. The Greenway Jizera includes a visitor route section from Turnov-Dolánky via Malá Skála to Líšný. Check current route conditions before setting out; construction or access conditions on the Greenway may change.

Getting Around Turnov

The Muzeum Českého ráje is 100 metres from náměstí Českého ráje. It’s about a five-minute walk from the central bus station and 20 minutes from the railway terminal.

Discover more destinations: Košov, Zalesni Lhota, Bradlecka Lhota, Ohrazenice, Jestrabi V Krkonosich, Syřenov, Roztoky U Semil, Chuchelna.

Go to the regional travel overview: Okres Semily.