Rovensko pod Troskami – Hiking, Bell Tower and Local History

Rovensko pod Troskami combines hiking experiences with an unusually rich local history. In the Bohemian Paradise, the town is considered an important crossroads of hiking trails. For planning your trip, the town is a natural point of reference: a 9 km circular hike leads from here via Borek and Trosky back to the town square. If you would like to combine nature, exercise and historical discoveries, you can also consider Rovensko pod Troskami as a possible location when looking for a hotel.

Hiking between the Square, Rocks and Viewpoints

The recommended route begins in the square of Rovensko pod Troskami and follows the blue-marked trail towards Borek pod Troskami. The blue-marked route then leads through Borecké skály. The Svatopluk Čech Viewpoint along the route offers a view of Trosky and creates a distinctive landscape highlight within the hike.

The protected natural monument of Borecké skály lies within the municipal areas of Rovensko pod Troskami and Hrubá Skála. The rock city consists of Upper Cretaceous block sandstones; a marked hiking trail with viewpoints leads through it. Peregrine falcons, eagle owls and the rare raven breed in Borecké skály. Geology, views and wildlife therefore come together directly in this part of the Bohemian Paradise.

The Bell Tower and Church as Historical Highlights

The wooden bell tower of Rovensko pod Troskami dates from 1630. It has three so-called rebel bells, which hang with their clappers pointing upwards. The three unique bells are set in motion by stepping on them. During bell ringing, the bell tower is open every Sunday and on officially recognized public holidays from 11:45 to 12:15, without a guided tour and in the presence of the bell ringers.

The church of Rovensko also tells the story of several eras: its Gothic chancel dates from the 14th century, while the nave was rebuilt in 1573. The composer Václav Karel Holan Rovenský, who was born in Rovensko pod Troskami, was buried in the church of Rovensko. Those interested in regional cultural history will therefore find architectural and personal traces here in the same place.

Town Hall, Town Square and Local Memory

The town hall of Rovensko pod Troskami houses a permanent exhibition on the town’s historical events. The exhibition also displays photographs and personal documents of the Antimony group. On the town square stand a Baroque Marian column from 1744 and, in the centre, the sculpture group “Rozhovor” by the sculptor Josef Drahoňovský. A documented domestic tradition of the town is the cutting and polishing of Bohemian garnets, glass and semi-precious stones.

A monument in the town park commemorates the poet Svatopluk Čech’s stay in the summer of 1891. One of the rock viewpoints in the Bor forest above Rovensko pod Troskami bears Svatopluk Čech’s name. “Poutník u cíle,” a monument to the victims of the First and Second World Wars, also stands by the Church of St Wenceslas in Týn.

Events with Different Ideas for a Day Out

The traditional Svatováclavská pouť includes fairground rides and market stalls on the town square; it also features a Mass at the Church of St Wenceslas in Týn. At the traditional “Pohádkový les” event, a route of approximately three kilometres leads through a series of fairy-tale stations. The event calendar thus complements the town’s hiking and cultural themes with experiences tied to specific dates.

Discover More Places

More town pages for your research: Roztoky U Jilemnice, Jablonec Nad Jizerou, Žernov U Semil, Nová Ves Nad Popelkou, Stružinec, Končiny, Olešnice, Burany.

To the higher-level travel overview: Semily District.